The Silly Season....

Hello all,
I would like to begin a discussion today regarding the universally notorious silly season. The Christmas period poses as the highest engagement rate, where january shortly following is the highest divoce rate! While watching the evening news the discussion arose whether there is too much pressure for all to have a joyful and loving christmas.... I mean, with all the cooking, cleaning and crowded shopping...who can blame anyone for being stressed??? I personally work in retail and I certainly noticed the strain on individuals leading up to Christmas! I felt drained myself- working longer hours and what not. It is sad to see Christmas is so materialised and a massive marketing campaign. This also goes for Valentines day, which is a month away!! It is just one after the other! Following Valentines is Easter... where we are meant to be celebrating the ressurection (not to preach or anything) but instead we get excited about chocolate eggs! Some families even give their children money they would spend on Easter eggs to save them from piling on the pounds!

Anyway... back to the silly season...

My annual work Christmas drinks was a lovely sit down dinner (3 course meal - fabulous!) obviosly with alcohol -what's Christmas drinks with no drinks???

My boss happened to get very... intoxicated....slurring words and telling the homeless while on the walk to the train station that they will "Never own a penthouse apartment!". My other work collegue said to me.... "Jem, no matter which work situation you are in.... you never get as intoxicated as mr.penthouse did.... it is not professional!"

This then brings me to the question.... when does work stop being work? Personally, i do find it lacking professionalism.... but should we really make this judgement upon a person? The waitstaff kept topping up the wine glasses... what do they expect??

This is my question to you all out there in cyberspace:
1. What are your views on becoming too drunk at work Christmas parties?
2. How does the stress of Christmas effect you?
3. Do you think our world is focusing on the wrong things in life?


speak soon
jem x

When the door is half closed.......

Working in retail to get by while studying at Uni was completely underestimated on my behalf. Little did I know people could be so rude! Personally, if a door is half closed and it is 5 minutes to closing time, why would you walk in and request to try on almost every item in the store?

This happened to me last night. I was counting the register and a lady walked in (as the door was half closed) and proceeded to ask for direction for gifts for her friend. She asked to be left alone to think.... which took her 10 minutes... and by this time it was fifteen minutes past closing time. We had to politely ask the lady to leave as we are closed and it poses a safety issues for the workers when walking to the train station or the car park.

The lady believed we were open until midnight as David Jones was..... was the door half closed not enough to tell her that the store closure is imminent?

My question to you is.... how do you give ignorant customers the message politely without actually telling them that we are closed?

beats me....


jem x