I just started my first retail job yesterday and as a total noob, I learned a very important lesson:
DON’T F*CKING WEAR FLATS.
This likely sounds like common sense to most people, but as a person who A) is stupid about what business casual means, and B) is used to just wearing sneakers or flip-flops, I had no idea the kind of pain standing around in flats for 8 hours would cause. As a cashier, I get breaks every 2-3 hours, but for the rest of that time, I am just standing with 100% of my weight on two little stubs evolution saw fit to bestow upon me. Those versed in retail know this. And while standing or walking around for 8 hours can be fine in the appropriate attire, it just don’t work in flats.
So don’t try it, folks. I was so distracted by the howling soreness of my feet that I walked – gingerly traipsed – out of my shift without even clocking out.
If you value your physical health and your dignity, wear something comfortable to work. Better yet, stay away from retail (unless you want to pursue self-growth or something crazy like that).
Do you have a painful retail experience you’d like to share? Please. Help me feel better about my life choices. Share them in the comments below!
[Header image source: imgur]
I brought boots when I was working retail. As in smart DM’s
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah nice. I wish I could do the same, but those would be too casual for the dress code, grrr.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you look round you may be able to find some that you could get away with, it took me bloody ages,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm, I’ll have to keep an eye out! Working in Doc Martins sounds so fly, as the kids say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL I don’t think mine were exactly Doc Martins but they were fairly close to that sort of look just posher
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing is comfortable for that long, but a padded (like memory foam or such) one inch heel or wedge helps. That’s what I wore when I was teaching and had to stand. I wore converses at my retail job, but I moved around a lot… And I worked with water, so quick-drying canvas was awesome.
LikeLike
Oh my.. I know it would have been terrible for you. I once decided to wear flats on a day out during our trip to San Fransisco… tell me why I decided to wear flats that day! Ughh. My feet were sore by the end of the day 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes! I can empathize greatly with you there 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I have a painful retail story! A 14 hour shift in 3 inch heels because flats are not allowed, 15 minute breaks every 4 hours and a one hour lunch ONLY if you’re working 6 hour shifts or longer (this was from 2007-2010 when I quit with some new shiny snaggle toes jk it wasn’t that bad lol)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch 😦 Haha, that’s practically inhumane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can only imagine what an 8 hour shift will do to you if you’re wearing heels…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oof, I don’t even want to imagine. How do some women do it??? I swear, some women seem to be endowed with super genes to endure damn near anything to look good and get shit done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last time I worked retail was in 2006 when I was earning extra cash to pay for my next trip to Europe. There is no perfect shoe! Of course, having any kind of support helps, but I spent loads of cash trying inserts and cushions every other thing you can possibly think up. If I see something that looks promising and everyone who has tried it waxes poetic about it, I’ll send you a link. May the force be with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, thanks! I just bought new shoes today and they seem pretty comfy (they have extra padding on the heel), so fingers crossed that my feet make it through another shift!
LikeLiked by 1 person