Brett Banter

It may be the most anticipated shopping time of the year, other than the month-long frenzy between Thanksgiving and Christmas – tax-free weekend. Because South Carolina is one of only 20 states to offer such a holiday, many people, both locals and visitors, flock to the area to take advantage of the savings. But while most of you are out tearing apart stores for Justin Bieber binders and Hello Kitty t-shirts, there is a select group of people who will not be enjoying the weekend. They are the sales associates who graciously fold the clothes you throw on the floor and pick up the trash you leave until the wee hours of the morning. And they deserve a bit of respect and consideration.

As a sales associate myself, I know I can’t justifiably be annoyed about a messy store, especially after such a lucrative weekend. I know in order to shop, you have to pick through the clothes. I don’t ask that you re-fold everything you pick up. Your time is valuable, and that’s my job, after all. But a bit of courtesy would be appreciated. For instance, if you see I just finished folding a stack of shirts, jeans, whatever it may be, please don’t immediately pull one from the bottom of the pile, ruining all my hard work in a second. Instead, just ask me to get you a size. To everyone this weekend who told me they didn’t want to mess up my piles and politely asked me to find them a size, I appreciate it more than you know. And just because I expect messy clothes does not mean I expect other types of messes as well. There are trash cans all over the store. Please use them. Don’t put your half-finished slushie on a table for me to clean up. This is a store, not your house, and I’m a sales associate, not your mom.

We’re not asking for much. We know the deals are great. Trust me, I want you to shop til you drop. But do it with the sales associates in mind. The less we have to do every night to clean up the store, the happier and more willing we are to help you in the morning. It’s that simple. Think about it, and we’ll see you in three months, crazy shoppers.