In addition to uniforms...

[blas]

What are some props that retail workers should have next to them (or on them) in addition to their uniforms? I'm talking like, protection props.

For example:

I notice at the factory I work at now, certain departments deal with chemicals, and any employees dealing with chemicals have to wear face shields.

One of those face shields would have came in pretty darn handy at the gas station, all the times that people threw things at my face, aka ID cards, checks, even money was thrown at my face at times.

If I were still at the gas station, I'd have a face shield under my register, and any time I'd card someone, I'll pull the shield up to protect my face from the ID card that would be (within seconds) whipped directly at my face by the SC who's infuriated at the thought of being carded.

The face shield would also come in handy for those of us retail workers who've ever been spit on or almost hit in the face.

[Barefootgirl]

Presumably a taser doesn't count? Handcuffs and a gag would be favourite for some customers (and no, that is NOT my inner S&M practitioner coming out).

[Becks]

I would LOVE to have a horn, or something, so people would get out of my way when I'm trying to push the salad bar cart back and forth.

[NightWolf]

I have an idea.....

Most factorys that deal with chemicals have eye wash stations readily available, how bout one for cashiers that was modified and filled with brain bleech? :lol:

[Acolyte]

A crowd-control calibre fire hose.

Or, just keep a decorative sword nearby. Nobody screws with a guy next to a claymore.

[thegiraffe]

Easy. Shotgun.:angel:

[icia]

i would just settle for a cow prodder myself, less illegal. and i have been hit in the face by a customer. (long story meant for another thread i'm sure)

[chainedbarista]

a face shield and an air horn; protect your face then blast their ears as a 'reward' for their bad behavior, kind of like pavlov, only MUCH louder.

[batmoody]

A bottle of checkstand cleaner. I call it my customer repelent. Spray that stuff all over your belt anf they move to the next line.

;)

[PuckishOne]

Nobody screws with a guy next to a claymore.
OT: Acolyte, may I use this freakishly brilliant line? :salute:

[laughingfuzzball]

A crowd-control calibre fire hose.

Or, just keep a decorative sword nearby. Nobody screws with a guy next to a claymore.

Spend a few extra bucks and get something a bit more functional, just in case.

[lordlundar]

"Can I see that sword?"
"Only if you piss me off, and it'll be the last thing you see.":devil:

As for me, a blow gun and a licence permitting lethal force at my discretion.

[Spiffy McMoron]

A set of speakers, set up to a computer. In quiet times, I would have music rockin', but when a SC comes up, I would have it set up to say various movie quotes that are (in)appropriate:

"You dick!" - Fast Times at Ridgemont High
"If you don't like it, I believe you can go to hell" - The Matrix
Anything said to the recruits by the drill sergent in Full Metal Jacket

[Pagan]

Or, just keep a decorative sword nearby. Nobody screws with a guy next to a claymore.

Acolyte, I think I love you! I've been threatening to bring my Celtic short sword to work for years!:devil:

I always ask for a cattle prod for my b-day or Christmas, haven't gotten one yet. I think everybody's afraid that I'll actually use it.:p

[BrassCowboy]

You know how Mr. Burns from The Simpsons has that button underneath his desk that he presses and a small section of the floor falls through? Thats what I want.

[Worker-Intellectual]

MP5K in the drawer, Browning Hi-Power under the scanner, AK-47 under the counter

[AmericanZero8503]

I want a crossbow...

I don't know how to fire one, but I'm pretty sure that the complaints I would hear would go way down. No one is going to mess with a guy who has a crossbow.

[blas]

Very similar to the face shield......

A shield for when customers get all up in your face and spittle comes flying at you.

Noseplugs to wear when dealing with: customers with bad BO, coworkers with bad BO, customers with too much (too strong, old ladyish) perfume, (male) customers wearing too much "midlife crisis man" cologne, and above all......for customers with babies with dirty, stinky diapers.

[Becks]

How about a spare uniform for customers to wear and work, to find out what it's like to deal with people like THEM?

[ArenaBoy]

An AK47 on hand for me so I can shoot out the SC's tires and humuliate him.:D

[Lace Neil Singer]

You know how Mr. Burns from The Simpsons has that button underneath his desk that he presses and a small section of the floor falls through? Thats what I want.Me too! Plus that tube that sucks a person up and drops them into that place with the Arabs playing cards.:lol:

[Kogarashi]

One thing I had while working as a cashier at Wal-Mart was one of those alligator-tag security devices. The kind with the separate pin that I'd detatched from some clothing and left at the register. Those don't deactivate with the little swipey-thing next to the register (the one that goes "bong" when things like DVDs are run over them). I had so much trouble with customers walking off with my pens after borrowing them to fill out checks or sign credit card slips, so I stuck the pin through the pen and attached the security clip. :devil: This actually worked better than I thought, since the unwieldy clip always reminded people that this was not their pen. I have yet to have a customer walk away with the gator-pinned pen and set off the door alarm.

[Primer]

As an adjunct (part time) professor at a local college, I don't rank an office, nor do I get my own classroom. I have to carry all my stuff around with me.

My "props" include: a bundle of #2 pencils, a bundle of colored pencils, my own chalk, board erasers, dry-erase pens, copy paper, graph paper, notebook paper, stapler, staples, staple-puller, correction tape, scotch tape, paperclips, glue stick, scissors, red and black pens, rulers, (thinking through my supply boxes here) and a mini shopping cart to haul everything around in..

Oh yeah, can't forget the text books, grade book, and extra copies of all handouts, quizzes and tests.

[NightAngel]

How about a spare uniform for customers to wear and work, to find out what it's like to deal with people like THEM?

I don't know how/where he got it but a customer came in wearing one of our old promo t-shirts from like 5 years ago.
As I was walking past him I did a double take on his shirt and said, "Hey, since you're wearing the uniform already I'm just gonna slap a name tag on you and put you to work okay?"

He didn't seem to think it was as good of an idea as I did. :D