In Defense of Retail...

[LibraryLady]

...The Saga of Ann

Ann is a relative. She was always an out-doorsy sort. She's been a competitive swimmer. rower, cyclist. You get the idea. Her brothers, who were no wimps themselves nicknamed Ann, 'The Moose of the family'. You get the idea.

Like her brothers, Ann went to College and studied science. Her Major was Physics and she receiver her Bachelor's degree with a 3.85 GPA. Nothing to be ashamed of with that. Unlike her brothers, Ann didn't make a straight path to Grad school. One summer she'd worked as a shop assistant in a branch of a national sporting goods firm. She found that she was good at retail and she liked it.

The firm also liked Ann. She started to work for them full time. She moved from strength to strength. She and the company were a perfect match. Ann became a Manager and a trainer of Managers. She moved from the Southwest to the Northeast of the United States. She was loyal. The company paid for her MBA. The company also paid for her and a team on a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro to test some camping gear. She was offered and acepted a job in Corporate but Ann soon found she was happier working on the retail floor. She asked for a transfer.

Ann now is a General Manager at the firm's flag ship store. She's out there on the floor a least a few days a week. She loves what she does and the people who work for her love her too. Still, not everybody's happy about Ann's good fortune.

Ann's Grandma isn't happy. In a recent phone call she lamented the fact that Ann, "Probably isn't quite as bright as her brothers." because she works in retail.

I don't like to jump on Granny but, in this case, I had to do so. I explained to Mom that Ann is in a very good position. She has excellent health benefits for her, her Husband and their child. Ann is doing what she wants to do and enjoying it. She's also making a good salary and has a happy home life. What's not to like? A career in Retail can be very satisfying.

[Evil Queen]

Ann went much farther in her career then a lot of retail associates even bother to consider. She did some amazing stuff and now she's happy doing her job. What in the world is granny complaining about? You have to be very smart to do the things she did!

[Tee]

Because customer service is lowly. the real money earners are doctors, politicians, teachers, you know, people who use their degrees, and need to be intelligent. Everyone knows retail workers are either those just starting out, or those unable to move on. the dregs of society, with managers being just one step higher up. That's why you need to watch them like a hawk, so that they don't make a mistake that hurts you, someone who matters. And if they do, they should make it worth your while.

Psstt, that was sarcasm. Also exaggerated, and not aimed at Ann's grandma.

I can understand though, I just want a job I can excel in, and work at, so I can live how I want too. I don't want a job to pour myself into, but one where I can help people is a plus.

[AKWalMartCartGuy]

not to mention that ann probably makes more than granny ever did, and most WM/Target store managers probably get more money in their annual bonus then granny ever made in a year

I already make more per hour than my grandmother ever did and she did the same job for 30 years, and had to raise 3 kids on it

is it truly that horrible to actually like a retail job?

[Javarod]

Heh, I know this attitude, after all, I work as a courier, I love driving, and its prolly the best driving job I've had. Problem is that everyone in the family's gone to college at least up to my Dad's generation. He dropped out to marry mom, and neither me nor my sister ever went, so we're kinda considered the failures.

[Mamadrae]

I deal with this mentality alot. Though actually from the younger generation.

Why you ask? Because I stopped working and became a stay at home mom to raise my son. My husband makes enough money that I don't need to work, I choose to work. Plus even with the up and downs of economy his work is stable since in a round about way he works for the government.

Anyways, I constantly get pestered about my lack of a college degree and lack of job. Just because I'm a stay at home mother does not mean I am a bum thank you. If you really insist on it I technically "work" everyday for 3 hours on manuscripts that I hope to one day make me an author.

[Geek King]

Smart or not, Ann shows great wisdom in sticking with something she enjoys doing for a living. Good for her!

[Racket_Man]

Kudos to Ann for doing something she found she loves and it is a good fit for her and the company.. AND that trip for the mountain climbing equipment testing trip. that had to be a total rush.

any job can be just a job or a lead to a fufilling happy career. I have spent lots of time in the retail/food service AND in a corp cube farm. both side had their good and bad. in either if I was not doing inane boring stupid make work type of stuff I had fun. in the both you have to put up with (as most of us know all too well) the local politics. in the corp world it is just a bigger sandbox

just like what I am doing now -- delivery yes it can be hectic and crazy and frustrating but I have more fun at this than most of my time in a cube or as a manager. training nooby drivers and getting things done the right way is a thrill.

I most likely will not do this the rest of my life but I want to have fun without the grey hair making , bald, hair tearing producing BS that I used to put up with in the past. I can listen to the radio/CD/tapes at whatever volumn and be my own person as long as the job gets done

[draftermatt]

The smartest people in the world are the ones who get a job they love and that they are happy to get up and do everyday.

[Becks]

The smartest people in the world are the ones who get a job they love and that they are happy to get up and do everyday.

Quoted for truth, and to add the Becks Seal of Approval™.

[Apathy]

I'm heard, a few times in my life, of people who really like working retail. I can't personally imagine what that would be like, but if it suits them, that's awesome.

[Gurndigarn]

Anyways, I constantly get pestered about my lack of a college degree and lack of job. Just because I'm a stay at home mother does not mean I am a bum thank you. If you really insist on it I technically "work" everyday for 3 hours on manuscripts that I hope to one day make me an author.

Three hours? Are you kidding? You're a mother. That's a full-time-and-then-some job. Working on the manuscript is your R&R time.

If you want help with people who pester you, though, price out quality daycare. If it's anything like around here, that should be sufficient argument that you're working (and helping the family budget, too).

[jnd4rusty]

I have worked in the fast food industry since 1984, with the exception of a few months here and there where I held a convience store job and a Black Hills Gold jewelry manufacturing job, I learned to love the resturant business. The thing I like the most is the fast pace and the challenges it presents everyday. I did not like some of the places I worked at though, especially the burger joints. I have been at my present job for 14 yrs and I LOVE it, it is fun, challenging, fast paced and the customers for the most part are awesome. I also get people treating me like I am stupid because I work in the fast food business. I hate it when people just assume that I am too dumb to work anywhere else. I am planning on leaving the resturant business for good, hopefully this year as I applied at the air force base to be a military pay technician at a new call center. I decided to leave the business because I am getting too old (I am in my 40's) I need benefits as I am not getting any younger. I am also a sophmore at BHSU persuing a business degree in accounting which I hope to use at Ellsworth AFB in the financial center. People should not judge others by their occupation!! Hell you could have a MENSA member who is your trash man, one never knows.