Replies to 'Stress at Work'

 Can't some consumers just be the worst?  I imagine that none of them ever had to hold down a job that required any actual work. And I am sure that none of them realize that retail jobs are not the highest paying jobs in the world.  You probably feel like you don't make enough money to put up with that sort of thing from them.  And you're right.  There is only one problem...you can't control what other people who are ignorant of real-world jobs and challenges say or do.  I know that the attitudes of these pompus, controlling people are offensive to say the least.  But by allowing yourself to spend any of your precious time and energy focusing on them is giving them power over you.  And it sounds like they already have enough of that.  After many years of working with difficult people, I can tell you from experience that "revenge" always backfires.  It only seems like a good idea at the time.  You are in graduate school.  You are not going to be in this job forever.  So, for your own peace of mind, just keep doing your job to the best of your ability and let them take their opinions and their gossip and stick it in thier...back pocket!  They have no power over you!  And if you believe that their opinions can get you fired, your real issue is having a boss that trusts you and will back you up.  Remember...this job is only temporary.  You can handle anything to get where you belong.  And, one day, they may be working for YOU!  :-)   So, forget the revenge and focus on your future.  Don't give them any control of your emotions, thoughts, or time.  You will triumph over them by, one day, leaving them in your dust!

Why don't you prove them wrong? Be the very best, most efficient, most service-oriented sales person in the store.  Ensure that the bitc*es get great service but be too-good-to-be-true with all of the other customers too.  Make the bitc*es embarrassed that they talked you down. 

I am a really busy mother and business woman and I need to be put together all the time-right down to shoes and jewelry.  I live in a small town and whenever I get to go to the city shopping, I need to be really efficient.  There are a few saleswomen who have been just marvelous to me-finding the coordinating looks for me that I am hopeless at. I don't expect that kind of service but I truly appreciate it when I get it and I make sure the store management knows how good these women are.  I would follow those women to whatever store they worked and I always tip them.