Oh the struggle is real! Even though working at Southgate mall has its perks: being around cute clothes, attractive customers, getting that hard-earned commission, and that employee discounts; there are still some downsides to the retail life. In no way are we trying to sound like a Negative Nancy, but come on, this is reality for crying out loud!
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It's been years since I quit my retail job at Southgate mall, and I can honestly say I'm thankful that I had a place to work and to stack up my dough. At the same time, it was really hard to avoid all the crap that comes with working inside the mall. From rude customers to having to wear high heels for 8 hours straight (no wonder sneakers are in these days). For anyone who works in a shopping mall or used to work in one, I hope you can relate to the 26 struggles listed below.
Getting your work schedule one day in advance at Sephora.
Well, there goes your social life!
Having to park in the farthest parking lot upstairs across The Bay or the perimeter to avoid getting a ticket.
And you work at either Zara, Coach, Guess, or Banana Republic. What do they have in common? They are located on the other side of the freakin mall!
When you're about to close up and a customer walks into Oak + Fort... with a return.
Just when you thought the closing shift couldn't get any worse.
Getting bombarded by people working at the Kiosks.
We advise that you to not make eye contact and pretend that you're on the phone.
Folding shirts at ZARA only to have a customer come and mess it up 1 minute later.
Does our hard work mean nothing to you?
Having to ask if a customer needs help with anything the second they set foot into Aritzia.
And you feel bad for asking them, but at the same time, it's in the job description.
Finding out you have to work overtime on Black Friday and Boxing Day
Not to mention you have to close the store those same days too. Smh.
Inventory day, need we say more?
*Sets alarm to 5 am while swearing up a storm.*
When a customer tries to return an item from Dynamite that they've clearly worn before.
Does it look like we were born yesterday? And please explain the deodorant stain. Don't worry, we'll wait.
And when you tell them they can't return their used items from Dynamite, they demand to speak to your manager.
Then the customer tries to put the blame on you stating that you were being rude in order to win. Then your manager swoops in and tells them the exact same thing you did.
Garbage runs.
And the worst part is, you have to drag the garbage through the mall while praying that you don't run into someone you know, or better yet, one of your haters.
Those way too short 30 minute lunch breaks.
It takes 10 minutes to walk to the food court which is on the other side of the mall. Waiting in line takes about 7 minutes, waiting for your food takes 3 minutes. At this point, we have to run and eat our food at the same time while trying not to be late.
Customers try to charm you into giving them a discount at Guess.
It's especially the worst when they are cute af but at the same time, your manager is standing 3 feet away.
Having to save your co-worker from getting into a heated argument with a customer at Fossil.
Nobody likes being in the middle.
A customer asks you for help as you go for your break.
Or even worse, when you leave to go home for the day.
You find yourself literally counting down the minutes until your shift is over at Pandora.
Like, literally, watching the clock.
You have to fight the urge to go off on a rude customer at the Apple Store.
It's not our fault that your dog chewed away at your MacBook Air charger.
You want that bonus, but it requires sucking up to your boss.
Ugh, if kissing ass got us a paycheck.
You have to eat alone in the food court.
Akon's "Lonely" plays in the background.
And those days where you just don't want to interact with people.
There's always a time where isolation wins. It's a lot better than having to deal with rude, socially challenged customers who don't know what style of leggings they want from Lululemon.
Your friends visit you during your shift at Michael Kors.
You try to get all the tea from them while making sure each clothing hanger is finger width apart.
You have to listen to the loud and obnoxious Harry Ainlay squad.
They usually enter the mall around 3:30 pm and leave around 5 pm. They can be found browsing through Michael Kors, Aritzia, Fossil and Sephora. In terms of attire, you'll find them in Adidas sneakers and Jansport backpacks.
Regardless of which store you work at, the hours are terrible.
A four hour shift alone at Saje just ruins your social life, especially on a Friday or weekend.
You spend your entire paycheck at Sephora, Aritzia, Guess, or the Apple Store.
Everything. Is. Just. So. Tempting.
It's always awkward when you catch a shoplifter at The Bay.
Even when it's caught on camera, they still deny stealing that red Material Girl jumpsuit.
You have to look presentable all the time, especially if you work at Michael Kors and Aritzia.
It's fun at first but sometimes you wanna be like Kim K and show up to your job in sweatpants and heels. Issa look you know!
