Greetings, Board 8. As you probably all know, USA really likes shopping.
I imagine those of you who are not Americans may be confused and lost about your new reality living in a Banana Republic. So I have come here to provide a tutorial on how to live in a clothing store. I have a vast experience in the subject, having lived my whole life in New York. So here are the tips:
1- It's okay if you don't know the name of the seasonal wear. That can change for a month to another.
2- The company may not be officially with a memester running social media yet, but some quips will be delivered, especially if you are posting with your real name. Never criticize a woman's clothing decisions if she has 300k followers or more because one of their followers may want to kill you. Don't get too personal when arguing with Facebook people but also avoid Instagram. No, by Instagram I don't mean the people who post cat videos, but the ones who post saying they wish they were the floor a girl's stepping on. Chances are they don't have any ability to harm you, but they wish they could, so don't taunt it either.
3- Never invest your money in long term fashion that don't have liquidity (are not easy to take your money back when you feel like) and are not corrected by simple sewing adjustments. You don't know when the next period of hyper-trends is going to be, so don't gamble your savings on that.
4- Do check for clearance sales, but don't expect your size, if available, to fit you the way the number says it should. That just doesn't happen all the time. In fact, if it did fit you, there is a good chance it was a returned item they couldn't put back on the rack because the season's over.
5- Regular sales are less important than they seem. Yes, your store is plagued with banners saying "30% off!" or "buy 2 get 1 free!," but that isn't always the best bargain, compared to how the sales are during certain predictable, cyclical times of the year. A lot of the time, the store will give attention to a random holiday to make you forget about the next cycle.
6- Get used to hearing people who shop at fancier stores to make fun about you outside. Also, when you travel, don't expect your clothing to be worth much, and prepare your answers so you are not rejected when you go to a club.
7- Adding to that, your biggest possible economic achievement is getting a knockoff from a classier store. So start checking your magazines, your social media, or even your window ads!
8- Try to get a store job if you can. Those provide discounts, and discounts are the most import asset in a third tier store. One good way to do so is befriend a manager, especially before they get promoted. The issue with that method is that you have a high chance of losing your job when the manager gets put in the nearby Gap. You can also go though the normal channels, which tend to have more stable jobs, though if you are in a third tier store, get ready for a huge competition for them. Everyone wants the discount.
9- Along your life, you will be met with a lot of people trying to offer you easy ways to get promoted. They are doing so because there is a demand, but don't fall for it. You will not get promoted unless you either get close to the boss or do something illegal. Focus on achieving a stable, no Karen life.
10- Your store probably won't become a trendy one in your lifetime. So getting involved in promotion is not a terrible thing, but don't be frustrated when the results are weak or non-existent. The deck is stacked against your store, and it will take centuries to change that. Keep going and fight for the future employment opportunities.
"Maybe it's a tentacle, molesting the planet itself. - Aschen Brodel.
