Ah, the holiday season—when the world transforms into a frenzied whirlwind of shopping, dining out, and endless errands. It’s also the time of year when customer service and retail workers face the worst of humanity. I’m not exaggerating. I’ve been there. As a student, I worked in retail, and let me tell you, it was an eye-opener. I learned a lot about the world, how to communicate with all kinds of people, how to keep my composure under pressure, and how to handle the downright ridiculous. It toughened me up in ways no textbook ever could. But more than anything, it taught me one crucial lesson: respect for people.
Have Respect for People
Now, well into my career, I can enjoy the simple pleasure of shopping or sitting in a café without the stress of being the one running the show. But let me tell you, it absolutely makes my skin crawl to see how some people treat retail and customer service workers. It’s bad enough that they’re working grueling hours, often sacrificing their holidays with loved ones to cater to our needs. Do they really deserve to be shouted at because your latte has the wrong syrup or because someone forgot to switch your salad for fries? Newsflash: No, they don’t.
Mind the Hypocrisy: Your Kids will Likely be Working in Retail at Some Stage
What really gets me is the hypocrisy. You know who I see treating retail workers the worst? Parents with kids in tow. Yep, they’ll be the ones berating a teenager at the counter for some minor mistake, never stopping to think that in a few years, their own kids might be the ones working these exact same jobs. The same jobs that teach patience, resilience, and the ability to communicate with all kinds of people. But of course, when their kids are in those roles, they’ll expect everyone to treat them with respect.
Here’s the thing: working in retail during busy periods is a crash course in survival. You learn to smile through the chaos, manage demanding customers, and balance a million tasks at once—all while standing on your feet for hours on end. These jobs shape people. They’re often a stepping stone to bigger things, but they’re also a crucial part of the economy and the world we live in.
So, as we approach the Christmas period, here’s your annual reminder:
Be kind to the people who work in customer service, even when they get it wrong.
That coffee order you think is a disaster because they forgot your oat milk? That burger that came with pickles when you specifically said “no pickles”? Let it go. Remember that the person behind the counter is likely running on minimal sleep, has missed their lunch break, and is dealing with hundreds of other customers just like you.
They’re not robots. They’re people—many of them young, starting out in the workforce, or doing their best to make ends meet.
Be kind. It costs nothing.
Let’s make a pact this holiday season: when you’re out shopping or dining, treat every retail and customer service worker with the utmost respect. Smile. Say thank you. Be patient. These small gestures can make a huge difference to someone who’s already giving everything they have to make your experience special.
And if you see someone else treating them badly? Call it out. Because, at the end of the day, how we treat the people who serve us says more about us than it ever does about them.
Remember: the world doesn’t revolve around your coffee order, your fries, or whether your drink came with ice. It’s about respect. Let’s show some.
