Read some of the stories from here: [url]http://www.customerssuck.com/[/url] While you probably won't have as bad of interactions at a Gardening store as say, people that work in electronics retail, you'll still get shitty customers now and then, and it can be cathartic to read the stories where they get what's coming to them. It will also put your job into perspective, namely how much worse it could be.

I once worked a retail job. It isn't bad if you like the people you are working with. Pay sux, boring as hell but at least you have friends with you

Retail you say ? sounds like you are dodging work leaving it for others to do. I have had a bunch of crappy jobs i disliked but i stayed positive. Since you never worked fast food it can really suck. Some 16 year old kid pushing buttons behind the counter says no to cleaning the toilet/poop off the walls in the Bathroom. Not to mention i gotta wash my hands afterwards really good then make burgers. Clean grill ect. Real work takes thoughtful effort. Apparently you are leaving work for other people to do. I worked for the Army Air Force Exchange Service back when my dad was in the military. We got in weekly shipments. Not to mention my boss find things for me to do as it was a military 7-11 kinda store. Question is how hard are you really willing to work ?. Sometimes you have to take a crappy job make the best of it. I got out of fast food moved onto Security. My other point is the work needs to get done. Being presentable. Knowledgeable will get you places. Ever go into a store looking for help ? That could be you. Sitting in the bathroom proves you are lazy. Key is if you look busy or get things done people notice. Boss could come up ask you to move stuff instead of hiding in the bathroom get it done even crack a few jokes. Make the best of it. Work can really suck unless you have that dream job. Even doing security i have done a few places that i would not do ever again. Being Professional, Helpful, and being a go to person allows you to go places. Carrying over work ethics, knowledge, not to mention an understanding of how to help people will speak volumes. Pro Tip:Never sell you're self short.

I've heard alot of times that the managers are the worst problem in those jobs mayne. I've never worked retail, but my friend works @ a banana republic and he says that a lot of managers are lazy, sneaky, and backstabbing. They even plotted to get a manager he thought was cool fired and they all act like they own the place.

I never took breaks for that even on my 10-12 hour shifts in retail. You make time go by by being a good worker, not a crappy one. Find something that needs doing. Volunteer for something if it is not busy and you are bored. There is always plenty to do.

I worked in Retail for 7 years. Glad to be out. The bathroom break thing is classic, but what I found that really helped me pass the time was to try and find ways to get really engaged with customers. I found if I just let myself get caught up in helping people and tried having normal conversations, they day flew by. It was the days that I wanted time to fly that would just drag on. Projects also help. Or social experiments. There were times when we would be bored, and each with each new customer we would attempt different accents on them. Pretty funny stuff. Best of luck during the holidays! Get some mad OT and buy yourself something special. ;)

If you're working behind the counter, make sure you keep yourself busy. Check the staplers, refill them if necessary, sweep the floors around the counter, keep the counter itself clean, little jobs like that. Being busy makes time pass quickly. If you've just started working there: The long days will become shorter once you really settle into your job. Keep yourself informed about the things you are selling. If someone comes in looking for a chainsaw, for instance, being able to inform your customers about details will help you make that sale faster, which [i]feels good[/i]. It may sound wrond, and you may think "I don't want to palm off stuff they don't need [i]man[/i]. It supports our decadent lifestyle, and it keeps the Man in control [i]man[/i]." remember that people come into your store to [b]buy things[/b]. They [b]want[/b] to buy that chainsaw, they just aren't of themselves. If you can give a convincing argument, you aren't palming it off, you are fulfilling the customers desire. And you [i]will[/i] feel good if you sell a $300,- (I'm assuming you are an American) chainsaw. Because handling large sums of money makes you feel like a gangster, even if it's not going into your own pocket. Try to involve yourself with the company you work for. Think of it as "us" and not "them". That mentality will help make a difference when you get up on your Saturday to go to work. Keep counting the money you are making. Every hour that passes means another X dollars. Take responsibility. When you show your boss you are mature enough to handle bigger tasks, bigger tasks will be given to you. It will help your opinion about your job, because you will feel like you are making a difference (no matter what you are doing, you will always make a difference. Keep that in mind). That's all I can think of right now. Anyway, shouldn't this be in Off Topic?