All of a sudden "business casual" is a daunting and scary thing. Not only is it a daunting subject in general but when you are a 21 year old entering the business world for the first time it is TERRIFYING. I can't even begin to add up how many hours I have spent looking through magazines, pinterest, or just googling "business casual". I have spent nearly as much time wandering through the mall and other various stores. One more pair of pleated pants and I might cry. Where oh WHERE does a 21 year old find decent business pants. What do I mean by that? Sorry but the standard "junior" style dress pants don't cut it in the real world. (Sorry if I offended you). Dress pants should NOT flare. Dress pants SHOULD have belt loops. Dress pants should NOT get tight at the ankles. Dress pants SHOULD have somewhat of a wider leg. Dress pants SHOULD have nice creases down the front. Dress pants should NOT, I repeat, should NOT be tight around your waist (no muffin tops ladies)... buy a size up!!!!
That brings me to my next point..... I have been EVERYWHERE on a hunt for decent dress clothes. I come home flustered, grouchy, and with a bad attitude almost every single time. As if finding clothes wasn't hard enough, the way employees treat you is absolutely unnerving. They say it shouldn't matter your age or how you dress for how you are treated but let me tell you, your age and the way you are dressed has EVERYTHING to do with it. Don't believe me, let me share a few experiences with you:
1. Last weekend, I went to a local mall. I was dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a plaid button down shirt with my hair thrown up in a pony tail. EVERY store I went in, the employees looked at me and would either A. look away or B. walk away. Not a single person ALL day asked if I needed help. For once, I really was on a mission for dress jeans but no one would even give me a chance to ask. Flustered, I left empty handed. I have zero intention of returning to that particular mall.
2. A different mall I went to several weeks ago: I was dressed in running shorts and a t-shirt. (It was a weekend!!) At a certain store I went into, I got the eyeroll, the rude "do you need anything", and the glare from across the store. As I searched the store for decent clothes, I returned in search for someone to check on a smaller size for me. Without even looking or offering to do anything a quick "um you can look at this style instead" was blurted out and that was the end. I will not be returning.
3. Two weeks ago, I went to a different mall straight from work meaning I was still in dress clothes. Let me tell you, the moment I walk into a store the willingness to help me is MUCH higher. Every store I went to, someone asked me if I needed help.
4. A certain store that I use to really like and was suggested to me by MANY friends lost my business last week as well. This time my Mom was with me. The employees asking if we needed help was directed at my Mom and not myself. When I replied I was looking for dress pants, her immediate response was "what about matching shirts". I kindly replied that I mostly was on the hunt for pants. She took my items and put them in a dressing room for me while we continued to shop around. When I went to my dressing room, I found a boatload of other clothes that she had pulled for me to try that she thought would be good for work. Nice? Maybe for others but for someone who hates shopping anyways, I was annoyed and flustered as I had to dig through the clothes to find the ones I had picked out for myself. Every single item they picked out for me was NOT work acceptable. Annoyed with the situation, we left the store empty handed.
However, I have also noticed that the ladies 30 and older, are ALWAYS asked first if the need help. Most of the time, an employee will go out of their way to help an older customer. Do I wanted to be treated as royalty? No. I am perfectly okay searching the store for things I would like but I am not okay with the rude comments, remarks, glares, or stares. I am 21 years old, working in the business world; I am not a punk high schooler playing dress up in your store.
Word to the wise: either get use to being treated that way, speak up for yourself, or dress nice to go shopping (who wants to do that)!!
Happy Shopping!!
No comments:
Post a Comment