I work at a little scrub shop here in town. I really like what I do. It may not seem important to other people, but I take pride in my work. I am technically, but not officially, in charge of the entire display of the store. Basically, I've been given free run of all of the clothes and racks, and can do whatever I want to with them. I also double as a sales clerk, with my own station, which includes a computer, printer, display cases, two phones, and my own book of vendors.
The problem with this is that not many customers even realize that my station is there. I am required to greet every person that walks into our front door, and I usually get ignored. Also, people think I am completely incompetent when they call and ask questions. Our computer system is very easy. We allow people to special order scrubs, and their orders are all documented in our system. The only thing you need to know to see if their order has arrived is their NAME! I've been working at this store for almost a year now, and these customers still refuse to believe I am able to do more than smile at them when they enter the store and answer the phone with "Good afternoon, Julie's, this is April!"
In my opinion, the reason for this is because I am young. I am nineteen, almost twenty, but I am still treated like a high-schooler with a part time job who has no idea how to actually do things. Most of these customers don't have any idea that I am the one who put together the outfits on the walls that they rave over every time the come in the store. Because of this, I spend most of my time at work sitting at my station, reading the latest news on MSNBC, working on homework, and looking up things about college.
The good thing about my job is definitely the discount I get. Fifty percent off is not too shabby! Yes, I know they are scrubs, but have you ever worn any? They are the most comfortable clothes you will ever put on your body. And they are so cute! Since I have to either dress up or wear them to work, I usually choose the scrubs and good standing shoes to work on the concrete floor that is under our carpet.
I don't usually- or ever- work on Tuesdays. Today, though, I went in to allow the bosses to go to their son's basketball game. I was there for about four and a half hours. Now, we close the store at six, and I clocked in at around two. Doesn't add up, does it? This is because people tend to take advantage of small businesses. Our last customer didn't leave until about ten after six. I had already locked the doors (which I can do with no help, thank you very much) when the lady started looking for another scrub top to match red pants. I quickly found her a cute new top, and rang up her other items in record time.
Usually nothing very exciting happens at the store. Occasionally we have irate customers who berate me or another worker for something we have no control over, and at other times we have people who are upset because we refuse to take back their already worn merchandise. Today, though, we had a different kind of excitement. One thing we always have are children running around, trying to entertain themselves while their mommies are shopping. We have toys, but to seven-year-olds they can get pretty boring. The little boy in the store today decided it would be funny to stuff all of the remaining toilet paper into the toilet and then flush it. He opened the door and his younger brother said "Look at the water!" Yes, the toilet was overflowing, and already covering the floor. It was beginning to seep through on the carpet to the other rooms next to the bathroom. It took a lot of work (none that I did) to get the water stopped and get the floor dry and clean.
It's not always fun or exciting, but it's a job I love. If only the customers would realize the fact that I'm young doesn't mean that I can't do anything, but that I can spot colors and matching tops and shirts better than anyone else in the store. So if you ever need a cute scrub outfit, come by my store- and PLEASE don't ignore me!
1/29/08
