A gentle reminder that the Holiday season is a holiday for everyone - not just you.
It's not hard to be a good customer any time of the year. It's especially not hard to be a customer during the Holidays. Here's how.
1. Try your best not to berate sales associates or cashiers. I know, I know, it's a hard impulse to fight, but please, fight it.
2. "The back" is not some kind of magical backstage area of the store. It is also not an identical copy of the store with as many of an item as the store could possibly need. It is not a magical place where fairies make extra stock for the store. Most likely, the back is just a stockroom full of unlabeled cardboard boxes, mannequins that are missing parts, palettes, and mostly unnecessary items that is controlled by one person who only works from midnight to 7am. It's not magic. There are no PS4s or iPhones back there. Stop asking.
3. The proper way to respond to "How are you doing today?" is not "I'm just looking, thanks."
4. Everyone has to wait in line. This is not a conspiracy set up to hurt and delay only you.
5. Don't show up to a store 10 minutes before it closes on Christmas Eve and expect to get stellar service. Everyone wants you to leave. No one loves you at that moment.
6. "You've ruined my Christmas!" is potentially the funniest thing you can say to anyone, because a) no, b) you ruined your own Christmas, and c) no one really cares.
7. Saying "thank you" and "I really appreciate it" are free. And say them nice. Thank you. (See? So easy!)
8. The roads are crowded. The weather is bad. You're cold. Your feet hurt. You want to be home with your family. Imagine how that cashier halfway through a shift feels.
9. If someone says "Happy Holidays" to you, and you don't like it, keep it to yourself. If someone says "Merry Christmas" to you, and you don't like it, keep it to yourself. Guess what? They're saying it with good intentions -- not specifically to offend you. Sort your life out.
10. Don't shop on Christmas Eve.
11. I'm serious, do not shop on Christmas Eve.