Not a Simple Conversation!

The Natives are Restless… The Elite have over played their hand! 

A Simple Conversation…or was it?

While recently shopping at a local retail store I asked a sales associate where I could locate a particular item. The stores merchandise was very randomly distributed throughout the store. A very odd marketing approach, but on reflection I believe that it was done deliberately by the staff as a form of passive agressive frustration and anger.

The employee directed me to another area in the store that I had already searched. The associate responded to this by stating something astonishing…“I refuse to provide good customer service! I could take you there but I won’t!”

REALLY???

Not intimidated, I decided to engage the individual to understand what had provoked this type of response.

                                                                               WOW!!!

The list of grievances were lengthy and justified. Too few employees required to serve customers because of the relentless cutting of staff in pursuit of profit and more generous executive compensation. Even more distubing was the fear! Security cameras were used but they do not provide security from criminal acts where arm loads of clothes are snatched and employees are maced! 

They were afraid to work near the store doors and minimum wage is not danger pay.

This was not an isolated incident as others have been reported.

Why continue to work there? ” I NEED TO MAKE MONEY TO HELP MY CHILD PAY FOR COLLEGE OR ELSE HE WILL BE IN DEBT FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. EVEN WITH WHAT I AM DOING, HE CURRENTLY OWES $20K AND HAS TWO MORE YEARS OF EDUCATION!”

As we parted ways…”I hope he gets a job after, but regardless, he will need to live at home so that he can repay the student loans!”

Not a very simple conversation. One with so many implications.