I'm Just Sayin'...©

Well, I am really going to do it... I am going to hand in my resignation.  I was going to do it on Friday, but I had to attend to yet another customer at the time of closing.  I had written a quick email to HR saying that if she had time, I wanted to have a quick chat with her, not divulging the reason.  She tried to call, 2x but me being with the last minute customer,  we didn't connect.  She emailed that if I wanted to call, she would be avail Saturday, but there is no way I am going to call someone for business on my day off.

So, tomorrow, I am going to call again, before opening, and tell her that I need to quit due to my knee being in constant agony and swelling at the end of the day.  I am not going to state the deep down reasons, but just leave it at that.  After all... I do need a good reference for the future.  Not having a job is not worrying in the least to me, really.  I know I have done a great job here and the choice to leave this time, is mine.  Good!  I won't go near the underlying aspects and there is no need to.  Suffice it to say, I feel good about this move.  I will have my obligitory one month to finish out, handover etc, but hey... in the grand scheme of things, it's a drop in the bucket.

I will be relieved.  I just hope to somehow put in my CV the description "shit kicker" as being creative, appealing and not so offensive.  If I manage that, then maybe I should get a job as an editor for the morning tabloids.

1. My ex...
Is a bitter man

2. Maybe I should...
get my knee looked at already.

3. I love...
My dear Mister Man™

4. People would say that I am...
Headstrog and Funny

5. I don't understand...
People's selfish nature

6. When I wake up in the morning...
I laugh at my crazy curly hair

7. I trust...
Mister Man™ and nobody else.

8. Life is full of...
Annoying people and annoying questions about them.

9. My past taught me...
You can get over it and not blame someone else for who you really are.

11. Parties are...
borig without booze.

13. Dogs...
scare the shit out of me!

14. Cats...
I need one, not want - NEED!

15. Tomorrow is....
Saturday!

16. I have a low tolerance for...
Stupid/Selfish/Self Centerd People

17. If I had a million pounds...
I'd be rich!

18. I'm terrified of...
Dogs, Drowning, Turbulance while flying and being without my beloved.

19. When I look at the night sky I think...
How different the stars' positions are than from back home.

20. If I could be anyone it would be...
A slightly more sucessful me. Maybe in a few years time...

21. God is...
always in the background of my life, but still often forgotten. hmmmm.

22. One thing I want to do before I die...
never thought of it really, I take life as it comes and try not to plan.

23. I hate...
2 faced people.

24. If I had a superpower it would be...
Shapeshifter. Experience other points of view; bird, rock, tree, cat...

Another adventure today.  However, this one was most laughable yet somewhat embarrassing for not me, but the customer.

She entered the store pushing her stroller and her pug on a leash.  She didn't ask if the dog was alright to bring in and started shopping around.  I let her know straight off that I am terrified of dogs and it's just a phobia of mine, but it was alright.  (But really folks, why would you bring a dog into a clothing store?  Not being a dog owner I don't understand, I guess...)  After consulting with me on certain things, we got into discussion about where we both were from and general chit-chat.  She was kind of having a trial with keeping him subdued and after wrapping his leash around her leg, he proceeded to climb up and - get ready, and you know what's coming -
hump her leg.

I think now, I can say I have seen it all.  Mortified, she quickly kicked him off and shouted "Jesus Christ!"  (Is that the dogs name?)

She paid quickly and left quicker.

I couldn't wait to tell Mister Man™

Tee Hee!

If you bring along into a store 1) a child or 2) an animal, you are bound to be in for embarassment.

Hence, why I have neither.  Unless you want to count my husband as either choices. 

No kidding, I honestly might start a blog entitled ADVENTURES IN RETAIL -

The stuff I see/hear/experience on a daily basis is amazing and downright funny (sometimes).

-Holding up a garment with the tag out - "What size is this? I am looking for a Meduim." 
Looks like the tag says Medium, there you go!

- Holding the demonstration shoe - "This isn't my size.  Do you have my size?"
"Yah, I might." 
Awkward silence
"What size are you?"

- I need to return this.
Alright, do you have your receipt?
No.
I'm sorry, but I can't give you money back on your credit card without the receipt.
What?  You have my details.
No, we don't.
You took my credit card.
Sorry, we don't keep personal details of credit cards.  That's against the law. 
They do it at Boots...
No, no they don't.  It's against the law.

Honestly, I really need to write down what some of these asshats come up with so when I am in need of cheering up, I can read the comments and antics and smile.

I have learned to hate/respect/question people.

I have much more respect for people in retail shops than ever. I know now how selfish people are, and I don't want to make the retail bods all the more miserable than they already are. Because, lets face it, it's a shit job. Now I make a point to make nice conversation to them, asking how their day is, what they are reading, how they feel etc. Nobody ever asks me those questions, because they don't give a flying flag through a rolling donut about the person taking their money. Which, really, is a funny thing... you would think that you would want to treat the person taking your money from you as being pretty important. I mean, you are departing with your cash in exchange for something- and we all know it - a product not quite worth the value or price tag you are paying. Cost price is significantly lower. So you slipping your debit card into the slot is in essence paying for my paycheck, and, if qualifying, a bonus for me. And yet you treat me like a child, or much more base...?

Human nature is funny.

I see Mick every day on the road I work on washing windows and smiling at all the people.  He washes our windows too for only £6 a week.  He does a cracking job and is just so friendly.  He comes in with the receipt and chats away the time in his old school Cockney accent.  He tips his driving cap when he leaves and is always understanding when I dont have any petty cash to pay him. 
Last week, I paid him from my own purse because I know what its like to do something and not be paid only to have that kind of interfere with your lifestyle.

This week, I didnt have the cash again.  But when Mick came in, he smiled and said, "No, dont worry about it.  Next week.  I just came in to wish you a Happy Easter and enjoy your long weekend."  I wanted to fish out 10 quid from my purse and run after him and hug him and thank him for being so kind.

My heart melted.  God knows Micks age, but the lines on his face could tell tales.  I know he loves his wife, has a heart of gold and with the sparkle in his eye, I know he is a happy man.  He noticed the other day my knee was killing me and that my limp was more pronounced.  He said "Looks like I am going to have to start looking after you."

Happy Easter Mick, and I promise to keep the inside of my shop window clean so the work you do looks even better!

♥ Elle

 

I have decided to not read the morning or evening free papers that are handed out each day whilst on the train. All there is to read is bad news, sad news, and downright stupid news. I pop on my headphones and listen to the happiest music I can and read something interesting. Right now, it's a book called Enough. A facinating informal study of who we are as a society and our compusions to buy new things to keep up with the neighbors, find happiness in self-help books and succub to the marketing schemes involving status, identity with celebrities and those we consider to be in higher status than ourselves.
Interestingly enough, becuause I work in a higher-end retail shop, I can see the things that my marketing directors are aiming for and it has opened my eyes a bit. I wont dwell on this point, but suffice it to say, there is a real market for what the author terms "Enoughism."

Anyway, when I have my music on in my own private world, most of the time it's happy, fun and upbeat. Tapping my toes and bobbing my head gets some disapproving looks, but really, all in all, I don't care because I am probably the happiest person on the carriage. I see the papers rustling around while all the others are reading about the recession getting worse, the latest shooting of an innocent child, and looking at pictures of celebrities whose lives, at the end of the day are nothing but a handful of butt-dust to the common man, and think about how much happier these commuters would be if they would maybe, read a good book, listen to some music and relax a bit, or even (gasp!!)converse with the person next to them about something... anything!

I have a theory: London is known for having such great fashion in shoes. Sure... we need those things. We need something interesting to look at while we avert our eyes downward in order to avoid eye contact.

Just Sayin'!©

Being in retail has been such a study in human behaviour.  I have seen the good, the bad and the downright ugly.  People coming in expecting discounts for spending over 200 quid, leaving clothes on the floor half inside out, take 30 minutes of my time only to walk out empty handed or my personal favorite, expecting refunds without a receipt.  14 days for a return is pretty universally accepted, but walking in with an item that is not stocked, from last season - an Xmas gift - no tags, no receipt and claiming that the zipper is now not working after admitting wearing it over 10 times and washings... please.  Then, stating to me that - QUOTE: Thats a poor attitude to take,  what a bad policy!
WTF?!
I was millimeters within telling you "It's a poor attitude coming in here to bully and intimidate someone just to get your way."  But I didn't because my job is to be gracious, giving, serving and making sure you come back.
The zip works. You saw me working it and you admitted that "Oh now it works..."   Are you that fucking retarded?  You just watched me work the zip, then you did it up perfectly as well.  Now you expect me to give you a bran' spankin' new, £45 jacket in exchange for your faded, used and foul smelling old one?
You, good Madame, are taking the piss.
Insulting my brand's name is one thing, bullying me into getting your way is another.  I told you that my boss will question why I am letting goods fly out the door could cost me my job and if you put yourself in my position you might understand my trepidation and reluctance to oblige your request.  No, you did not understand that, because you having a jacket is more important than me having a job.
For all I know, you picked this up at a charity shop and brought  it in hoping for a cash refund, at best, a new jacket for no money second to best.

No... seriously.

Oh, this job is taking so much out of me. On my feet almost all day and talking to people all day as well. But... I absolutely love it. People walk away usually quite happy and I feel so nice helping women feel good about themselves.
There is so much to learn, still. Tomorrow I am going to have to fly solo as manager as the current manager has the day off. (yeah!)
I am not so worried about messing up, but making the customer unhappy.
My feet are killing me! And I think I need a shower now.

Hijack... I really want a new camera to work on my portfolio as well. Maybe I should post a few of my fave shots? I have not given up on my dream of doing a book either. Once this job settles in, I will be back on track to get back into the gym and behind the camera. Then, I will be back in full swing again. :)

I like being happy again.

Starting 16-Feb I am going to be Bouique Boss of sweaty Betty in Battesea. It all went well on my interview Monday and they called me on Tuesday to offer me the job. At first, the managing job had just come up and they usually hire internally, but I guess they saw something in me and next day offered me the job. I didnt have to climb the ranks, I am right in.
Schweet!

So for now, I am going to float store to store to get a feel for the workings and then have 2 days of handovers with the current manager before I get fully stuck in.

I am so excited!

Having said that... Check this out.
On my coaching day in the City, I ran into another person from my old company. Whoa! I got all nervous and shaking because, of course, nobody knows what was said or rumoured about when you leave unannounced. She seemed miserable and hardly said anything when I approached her and was nice. Whatever...
Then! THEN!!! At Embankment coming home, I ran into another old co-worker, a PM I worked for and did loads of work with. I spotted him staring at me on the platform and so we talked. He told me he thought I went back to America and I said "No dude, I got canned on a Thurday afternoon with no warning." Then proceeded to explain how it all went down. (Another person who wondered if I went to Tribunal) He said "It's just S and M doing work now." I was dumbfounded. I told him that I saw my job advertised online for £5K LESS than my starting salary and his jaw dropped on the escalator step.

Evidently, the company sacked at least 3 PM's and Engineers are dropping like flies. Either this company is in the shit, or they are trying to save themselves from having to deal with the fact that the big name companies that they cater to are not dropping the dough to upgrade their AV equip due to the recession and they are running scared. Either way, it seems that this was a good thing for me.

Having said that... *I* now need to make sure that I am hitting my targets with this credt crunch and all.

I will survive!

Oh, and we lapsed on the fags last Saturday due to a friend coming over, but yesterday and today... no probs. Funny how some things trigger the instinct to pull one out and puff away. But we are kind of over that now.
I think things will be alright.
finally
♥