I work in a drama filled High School. All life lessons learned as a High School student can be applied to working in retail. They should give a class on it in college to re-learn all the bullshit drama rules that you learned as a teenager. This way when you get that Holiday job down at your local retail establishment you can recall the useful tips on how to act 16. It amazes me how a large group of adults can turn into teenagers in seconds. Things become “he said, she said”, rumors are cast, friends are made and lost over minor things. Everyone brings their personal life into work, we are taught “we are a family”….just dont sleep with or screw with any of your relatives. This family will turn on you the moment your back is turned. While yes - all of this is true, just like High School in real life, you can make a few good true friends who will stand by you no matter what. If you work in retail and you do happen upon these people - DONT LET GO!! These are far and few between and trust me when I say you need them on your side. Because when your called out in front of the class to have a rumble down in the school yard after study hall your gonna need them to have your back. Some people I have met in retail have become life long friends, in and out of work. They are there for me and I am there for them. But in the end, work is like coming back to High School. It’s actually fun to watch the new kids (freshmen) learn how little they can trust their peers. Some people believe that you shouldnt shit where you eat (aka dont fool around with the co-workers.) and while yes, in a real life job (working in some office day after day) that is a good rule of thumb. But when you work in a job where the majority of the employees are here “part time” it’s easy to start up a fling or find a new friend. You end up wanting to be friends with these people - they get it, they understand the crazy life that is a retail location. So you hang out, have a few beers, see a movie or two, and before you know it - BAM! The whole store is talking about what you did saturday night and none - NONE - of them were there. How could this happen? How did they know? Who on Earth would have let that slip out?! Not your new friend/hookup/BFF they would NEVER! WRONG! In the end someone let it slip, to someone, who turned around (after swearing not to repeat it) and told someone else. Who was talking about it to their friend/hookup/BFF and someone over heard, and BOOM you got your self a good old fashion game of telephone. Now if your like me, you have sadly learned your lesson and have taken precautions to preventing this situation. You have broken the store down into groups (cliques) and learned who to trust and who to maybe not so much. You see the truth behind the “we are just friends” lines, and the “I am not getting involved” people, because just like back in the day, these people have somehow reverted back to 17 year old’s who just stole big brother/sisters ID and are going out tonight but your not invited because your (fill in dumb excuse here). Basically your not cool like them and you get to feel the rejection of High School all over. UNLESS you are so lucky that you make it into the “IN” crowd. ::chorus of angels:: OH MY Thank you for letting me be in your cool group I am soooooo HAPPY!!!!!!! (gags) Maybe because I was never one of the “cool” kids in my High School I am biased, but really? is it worth all that much to be one of “them”?? Yes it’s nice to be accepted and feel popular but really? Is it worth being two faced, or a liar? Is it worth the DRAMA?!?! For some yes it is - and they are happy in their little niche being popular, the favorite, the best around, and that’s fine and dandy for them. But what about the rest of us pour souls who are the unpopluar kids? Are our groups just as good? Why do we still in our 20’s strive to be in the cool crowd? I am happy as is, and while I deal with more drama now, then I did when I really was in High School, I try to keep in mind that in the end KARMA is a big kick in the ass. I know that one day these people who find some crazy pleasure in putting others down, will get their’s and the people who were picked on will end up on top. I may be wrong but I like to think that this is the way life is….you keep repeating things, you will always have drama, and you will NEVER learn your lesson. Mistakes I have made, somehow end up happening again… it’s life I guess!
I feel much better after my crazy rant! I just want anyone I work with reading this to know - that this is not personal…it’s just my view on the crazy place we work or people can work. I did NOT name names and while some of you may reflect on this thinking “she was sooooooo talking about ______” just remember - if you think it its one thing, but if you spread it around - you just became the people I was talking about. And just like in High School, it WILL get back to me….. and payback is a bitch! 
More soon!!
-M