Retail During Christmas.

I feel a little stupid making a blog post about this, but nevertheless I feel like it's an important reminder (or PSA, if you will) for everyone.

Christmas is about two weeks away. This is not the PSA, but it's still very exciting. Who doesn't love Christmas? (Other than, you know, people who don't actually celebrate it)

But a thing that always happens during Christmas is that it gets extraordinarily busy at the shops. And, as a consequence of that, people are more likely to be stressed and/or frustrated. I'm a human, I get that. Lots of people in a cramped space can get ugly.

But please, please, please try to control that stress when you're dealing with retail workers this holiday season.

It's not a big ask, really. But if you can do that, it makes life that much easier for them.

As someone who has worked over four Christmases (each one consecutively busier than the last), I can guarantee that if you're at stress levels of ten, sales people's levels are ten times higher. I digress. This isn't a competition. It really isn't.

I'm just saying that while I know you're in a rush to get your presents, please be aware that along with customer service, retail workers also have to make sure stock is consistently processed and out on the floor.

If someone directs you to the counter because they don't know the answer off-hand, do not take it as a personal insult. We aren't doing it to be rude. We're doing it because we don't know the answer and we don't have direct access to a computer.

Retail workers try to be as respectful and helpful to customers during the holiday season as possible. In return, all we ask is that you treat us in the same manner.

PSA: Done.