Here is this year's short list of what I'm thankful for:
1. A warmer than usual autumn. With heating costs through the roof, the less energy we have to pay for, the quicker we can get caught up on our bills.
2. The opportunity to babysit. I am so thankful that a family trusts me to care for their baby! The money has helped us to stay out of the proverbial poorhouse while allowing me to be home for/with my kids. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to make a baby laugh.
3. My loving, supportive husband. He gets me. I'm also thankful that he has received a clean bill of health. I've been married to this incredible man for 10 years now!
4. My wonderful, creative children (including stepchildren.) They inspire me and help me to learn patience. They also keep me from becoming an old fogey before my time.
5. Our families... especially my 85-year-old mother. I feel very lucky to have her around and in relatively good health to argue with, I mean converse with. lol
6. A new President-elect. When Barack was elected, I didn't want to jump up and down or yell in victory. I wanted to put my head down and weep with relief. What I feel more than anything is HOPE. Truly, I have HOPE for a brighter tomorrow!
7. The generosity of friends and neighbors. This year alone we've gotten a piano, a huge bucket of pears, clothes for the boys, an exersaucer for the baby, and LOTS of toys and games. So many toys that we'll be giving lots away. What a thrill to be able to share things! And we have a neighbor who takes pity on my snow-shlepping husband and snow-blows our driveway when it gets too deep. We are so thankful for all of the blessings that we've received.
I know there's more, but that's it for now...
Happy Thanksgiving, One and All!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Retail seasons...
Sort of continued from my last post...
EVERYONE knows that retail seasons are always a season (or two) ahead of the actual season. ALL retailers do this so that you will start thinking of the next season and buy early. Every year I hear people say that it gets earlier every year. This is actually not true - it just seems earlier every year. If the seasons are moved up so much that it becomes ridiculous, then people simply will lose interest and not shop.
Here are several points:
1. Christmas music - see previous posting. 'Nuff said about that.
2. Christmas shop in the back of the store - trees with ornaments and a few decorations. These went up, I think, the first week in October. I actually heard not one comment or complaint about the displays. But, I had two customers ask me the week before the trees went up when the ornaments would be in. This was the last week in September. I referred both to the local Hallmark store, but both independently said they'd wait (albeit reluctantly) for our ornaments to come out.
3. Anyone else remember "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown"? The gang goes to the local department store to buy eggs (in a dept. store??) for Peppermint Patty and Marcy to color. The store is filled with Christmas decorations and signs that read "Only 315 shopping days until Xmas." This was over 30 years ago! Times have not changed all that much.
4. Yes, the back-to-school jeans and backpacks are in the stores in June, before our local schools have let out! We don't put out signage until after the 4th of July, though. Here's the deal, people. In some parts of the country, schools start in July or August and run until April or May. We have stores in some of those locations. We also have stores in Northern climates where school runs from Labor Day until the end of June. Corporate sends the stores basically the same stuff at basically the same (times.)
5. It probably seems silly to have swimsuits out in early February. After all, outside it's dark, cold, and snow-covered. But with February recess and Spring Break just around the corner, people snap them up. I did have one frustrated customer express her extreme displeasure at not finding any swim suits in January. "Some of us do go away this time of year, you know," she said to me rather snottily. Yes, a lucky few, Toots.
Those of us who work there groan when the bathing suits are rolled out onto the floor. From Day 1, sets are separated and are thrown all over the floor. Customers complain that they cannot find the bottom that goes with this top, or vice versa. Shoppers, listen up. We are doing our best to pick up after you, but it would reallllllly help us out if you'd put the pieces back together on the right hanger. The best thing the store could do would be to have a "swim suit monitor." But even that wouldn't help those persons who are bound and determined to mix and match sets that are meant to be sold as a unit and then leave them all in one giant pile in the dressing room. Pick up after yourselves, ladies! Of course this goes on from February until August, when the pieces of suits are relegated to the clearance racks. And even then I hear about how ridiculous it is that suits aren't available in the summer. People, 6 hellish monthes of swim suits is enough for us! Besides, we have to make room for the sweaters and fall jackets! Hello! It's retail!
EVERYONE knows that retail seasons are always a season (or two) ahead of the actual season. ALL retailers do this so that you will start thinking of the next season and buy early. Every year I hear people say that it gets earlier every year. This is actually not true - it just seems earlier every year. If the seasons are moved up so much that it becomes ridiculous, then people simply will lose interest and not shop.
Here are several points:
1. Christmas music - see previous posting. 'Nuff said about that.
2. Christmas shop in the back of the store - trees with ornaments and a few decorations. These went up, I think, the first week in October. I actually heard not one comment or complaint about the displays. But, I had two customers ask me the week before the trees went up when the ornaments would be in. This was the last week in September. I referred both to the local Hallmark store, but both independently said they'd wait (albeit reluctantly) for our ornaments to come out.
3. Anyone else remember "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown"? The gang goes to the local department store to buy eggs (in a dept. store??) for Peppermint Patty and Marcy to color. The store is filled with Christmas decorations and signs that read "Only 315 shopping days until Xmas." This was over 30 years ago! Times have not changed all that much.
4. Yes, the back-to-school jeans and backpacks are in the stores in June, before our local schools have let out! We don't put out signage until after the 4th of July, though. Here's the deal, people. In some parts of the country, schools start in July or August and run until April or May. We have stores in some of those locations. We also have stores in Northern climates where school runs from Labor Day until the end of June. Corporate sends the stores basically the same stuff at basically the same (times.)
5. It probably seems silly to have swimsuits out in early February. After all, outside it's dark, cold, and snow-covered. But with February recess and Spring Break just around the corner, people snap them up. I did have one frustrated customer express her extreme displeasure at not finding any swim suits in January. "Some of us do go away this time of year, you know," she said to me rather snottily. Yes, a lucky few, Toots.
Those of us who work there groan when the bathing suits are rolled out onto the floor. From Day 1, sets are separated and are thrown all over the floor. Customers complain that they cannot find the bottom that goes with this top, or vice versa. Shoppers, listen up. We are doing our best to pick up after you, but it would reallllllly help us out if you'd put the pieces back together on the right hanger. The best thing the store could do would be to have a "swim suit monitor." But even that wouldn't help those persons who are bound and determined to mix and match sets that are meant to be sold as a unit and then leave them all in one giant pile in the dressing room. Pick up after yourselves, ladies! Of course this goes on from February until August, when the pieces of suits are relegated to the clearance racks. And even then I hear about how ridiculous it is that suits aren't available in the summer. People, 6 hellish monthes of swim suits is enough for us! Besides, we have to make room for the sweaters and fall jackets! Hello! It's retail!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Retail woes...
As a customer remarked to me the other day, everyone should have to work in retail (or a service industry) for at least a year. It's the proverbial "Walk a mile in my shoes, Pal." The store started playing Christmas music over the weekend, and I heard about it from a customer. The guy of whom I speak was shopping with his woman, and they were discussing the music. The guy says to me, "Playing Christmas music this early is ridiculous. I won't be back until December 15th."
Seriously? This is supposed to what... hurt my feelings? Okay cranky customers, here are a few important points for you to remember:
1. It's not my own personal decision to decide when to start the Christmas music (or put up the holidays lights or greenery, either.) This happens at a corporate level. If you'd like to complain, I suggest that you take it up with the big shots. I will gladly give you the number. While you've got them on the line, please convey my annoyance, too. If the Christmas music wasn't being played a full three weeks before Thanksgiving, I wouldn't have to listen to you bitching and moaning.
2. You think hearing the early yuletide music is annoying for you? Try being an associate. I have to listen to it for the next seven weeks! Do you think it makes me happy to hear countless renditions of "Let it snow," and "Sleigh Ride" before the Halloween decorations have been put away? Walk a mile, pal.
3. Good luck going into any retail establishment before your self-imposed December date. That includes gas stations, supermarkets, and restaurants. They may not be starting just yet, but they will - sooner than you'd like, my grinchy friend.
4. Who are you kidding, anyway? Your wife/girlfriend does all the shopping. This is not as sexist as it sounds. Anyone who works in retail can tell you that men fall into two general categories: A. The men who enjoy (or who can fake it well) shopping and will either enthusiastically accompany a spouse or companion, or even shop on their own! Which leaves B. the men who hate to shop. I see these men every day. They do not care if the towels match the shower curtain, or what gift you choose for their mother. They just want to know what the total will be, and how soon they can get back to the game, nap, hunting, latest project, beer, their buddies, or a combination of any of these. This guy was a B. and won't be shopping on his own until Christmas Eve - just in time to find some last-minute crap for his lady. By the 24th, even an a-hole will mumble along with "Feliz Navidad," and mentally pat himself on the back for remembering most of the words.
More on retail another time... just remember to tip your waitress and Feliz Navidad!
Seriously? This is supposed to what... hurt my feelings? Okay cranky customers, here are a few important points for you to remember:
1. It's not my own personal decision to decide when to start the Christmas music (or put up the holidays lights or greenery, either.) This happens at a corporate level. If you'd like to complain, I suggest that you take it up with the big shots. I will gladly give you the number. While you've got them on the line, please convey my annoyance, too. If the Christmas music wasn't being played a full three weeks before Thanksgiving, I wouldn't have to listen to you bitching and moaning.
2. You think hearing the early yuletide music is annoying for you? Try being an associate. I have to listen to it for the next seven weeks! Do you think it makes me happy to hear countless renditions of "Let it snow," and "Sleigh Ride" before the Halloween decorations have been put away? Walk a mile, pal.
3. Good luck going into any retail establishment before your self-imposed December date. That includes gas stations, supermarkets, and restaurants. They may not be starting just yet, but they will - sooner than you'd like, my grinchy friend.
4. Who are you kidding, anyway? Your wife/girlfriend does all the shopping. This is not as sexist as it sounds. Anyone who works in retail can tell you that men fall into two general categories: A. The men who enjoy (or who can fake it well) shopping and will either enthusiastically accompany a spouse or companion, or even shop on their own! Which leaves B. the men who hate to shop. I see these men every day. They do not care if the towels match the shower curtain, or what gift you choose for their mother. They just want to know what the total will be, and how soon they can get back to the game, nap, hunting, latest project, beer, their buddies, or a combination of any of these. This guy was a B. and won't be shopping on his own until Christmas Eve - just in time to find some last-minute crap for his lady. By the 24th, even an a-hole will mumble along with "Feliz Navidad," and mentally pat himself on the back for remembering most of the words.
More on retail another time... just remember to tip your waitress and Feliz Navidad!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)