Regardless of your choice of career or station in life, one should always keep in mind to not belittle or look down on someone for choosing an honest way to earn a living and support themselves. Unfortunately while she is doing her due diligence at work, one woman shares how she was looked down by customers for working in the retail sector.
M’sian woman gets looked down by customers for working in retail
Yesterday (April 11), Twitter user @sofearozaidi_ has taken to sharing her grouses over social media after being belittled by five customers while on the clock. In a series of Tweets, Sofea explains that customers would usually ask her if she was working in the field of retail while waiting on her university results.
Each and every time, she would respond with utmost honesty and told them that she has already graduated from her university studies and is now working in the retail sector on a full time basis.
Hina ke kerja retail?
Bulan ni je dah 5 orang customer perlekeh. Dorang tanya kerja part time ke, tunggu result Uni ke. Aku cakap jelah full time saya dah lama habis U, dah tua dah
Pastu mostly akan cakap “masuk U last last kerja macam ni”
Apa maksud kerja macam ni??
— coffea (@sofearozaidi_) April 9, 2023
And without fail, they would question her decision to remain in the industry.
“You studied so hard in university, and yet this is all you decide to do after?” they asked.
Speaking to Wau Post, Sofea has shared that she has been in the retail sector for 3 years. She revealed that working as a retailer has opened her eyes to many things in life and it has shaped her into who she is today.
“Being in this field has helped me with my communication skills, problem solving skills, becoming more patient as well as my creative and critical thinking skills”, she said.
When asked about how she feels every time someone looks down on her, she mentioned that it’s inevitable that she would feel somewhat upset, given the almost condescending tone that such remarks take. With that said, she consoles herself with the reminder that she is excelling at her job and now enjoys a good quality of life with her job.
“I remind myself that I’m happy, debt free and I get better quality of life, I shouldn’t let other people’s words affect me”, she mentioned.
Source: Ketut Subiyanto (Pexels)
Looking at the bright side for everything
Beyond that, she also shares how working in the retail line has allowed her to enjoy other aspects of her life such as going out to enjoy concerts, without feeling burdened or stressed out.
“I get 2 days off in a week and after work I get to properly unwind, watch some movies without having to worry about the next day,”
Additionally, her company makes no reservations in granting Sofea time off when she needs it, which only made her appreciate her job all the more.
Source: Vishnu R Nair (Pexels)
Speaking on account of the criticisms she has faced, Sofea remarks that people shouldn’t look down on those working in retail, as they put in a great deal of effort to serve customers and ensure that their shopping experience is as smooth as possible, while handling other administraive tasks such as invoicing.
“We don’t owe anyone anything, we’re simply doing our job as a retailer to ensure that your shopping experience is great”, she mentioned.
But most importantly, she is happy in her current role and remains grateful for the fact that she is employed.
“I’m grateful because I don’t have to experience not being able to have money to put food on the table, I can still treat my family and most of all I can still lend a helping hand to those who are in need”, she said.
Following her tweets, plenty of netizens have offered their words of encouragement and agreed that there was no reason for people to look down on others earning an honest living.
“I respect people who work in retail, sometimes they’ll have to work during public holidays and even Raya. Not everyone wants to sacrifice that for work. Society’s mentality is wrong, I hope you’ll continue to be healthy and happy for work.”
Source: Twitter
“As a veteran who worked in the retail sector for 16 years, off days during the weekdays are the best because there’s no line for anything we want to do in the mall and the jam is much more manageable.”
Source: Twitter
“After I finished my SPM I worked as a retail assistant for a bit before entering uni. My friend didn’t continue his studies and started working as a cashier. He was loyal and stayed there for over a decade, now he has 2 cars and a house. He went from being a cashier to working in upper management now.”
Source: Twitter
“Keep it up sister, move forward! Ignore customers who have got no manners, do they think that you don’t require any skillsets to work in retail?”
Source: Twitter
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