Working retail, man. Air conditioning aside, it can be a rough gig. You stand around. A lot. And then someone yells at you for standing around. So you fold things, using a piece of cardboard to ensure perfect corners. Or you find things that really don’t want to stay on their hangers and you put them back on their hangers, just to give them the pleasure of sliding to the floor as soon as you turn around. Or you approach customers with a maniacal zeal. “CAN I HELP YOU?” you ask, in a tone that really says, “HELP ME.”

It’s not all bad, though. You get to interact with people all day, stay on your feet, and if you’re lucky, buy things you like for less money than the customers. But as with any client-facing role, all it takes is one bad interaction to sour your whole day. I used to say that everyone should have to work a service or retail job at least once, because the lessons you learn being on the receiving end of someone else’s bad mood will teach you to be a Customer of the Week for life. So, here are some steps to not being the person whose image is printed out from the security capture and posted up in the break room with the word “BALLS” on their forehead.

1. It Is Not This Employee’s Fault That You Missed the Bus/Have Cramps/Had a Shit Day at Work

Working in retail, you will quickly get used to being a punching bag-cum-therapist. People need to channel all those bad vibes somewhere, and for some reason working a cash register seems to qualify you to deal with all manner of Other People’s Feelings. Now, don’t get me wrong, chatty customers are a total dream who make the day go by faster. But dealing with rudeness from someone to whom you’ve only said the words “Did you find everything you were looking for today?” can be demoralizing in a way you wouldn’t think possible. It seems bizarre to have to remind people of this, but be polite. And if you can’t be polite, be quiet.

2. Understand the Context in Which This Person is Working

Most retail stores are owned by giant international companies and the person helping you find a size is a small link in a big chain. Sometimes, they really can’t give you the information you’re asking for, because it just isn’t available to them. If you get the sense that the person isn’t doing everything they can, by all means, ask a manager. But understand that there’s only so much this one person can deliver to you.

3. Ask Questions

I used to love when customers came in telling me, “I hate skirts and I can’t wear them but I need to wear one. Help.” It was a fun challenge and it made me feel great to see someone wearing something they thought they didn’t have the confidence for. If you hate shopping and the idea of coordinating an outfit for a formal event gives you hives, ask for assistance. Nothing is more fun than spending your work day helping someone find an outfit for their graduation/date/first day at work.

4. Return Things From the Changeroom In a Way That Wouldn’t Embarrass Your Mother

Seriously. Yes, they’ll probably be re-folded and re-hung, but don’t be a dick and hand someone a wad of crunched-up cotton like it’s a soiled Kleenex. And don’t leave clothes all over the change room floor, either. You don’t have to leave things perfect, but at least make it look like you are aware that another human person has to clean up after you.

5. Don’t Leave Empty Coffee Cups Around the Store

This should speak for itself. There is a garbage can behind the cash. Ask.

6. Give Good Feedback

If you get some really great service from someone and you have a spare minute, ask to see a manager or send a quick email letting the company know. In retail, it’s easy for someone’s good work to go unnoticed, so if someone has done a great job, by all means spread the word.

*BONUS TIP*

7. Don’t Take a Shit in a Tim Hortons Bag And Leave it in the Changeroom

TRUE RETAIL HORROR STORY.