Grafitti

After my one month or so at DANO, I learnt loads. Here goes...

Pointers for myself(and maybe other retail associates)

1. Just crap alot.
What about A-line skirts and stuff?
How do I know your size? "Just try lah!"

2. Say "Should be" when asked about something you aren't sure about.
Blah, blah, blah...

3. Singaporeans are blind.
They can't see the display stands and end up flipping the clothes here and there to see what they look like. Thereafter we have to spend time and energy folding them back but it gets messy again the next minute or so.

4. Always say "Oh, I see', 'Ah, yes" and "Yah".
The customers are always right. Let them talk for all they like. Who cares how difficult it is for you to find clothes that match?

5. Defy the customer as you deem fit.
There was once when i happened to pass by an auntie, and she was calling out to me "I want that pair of shorts!" I said "Huh?" She repeated, seemingly very frustrated, "I want t~h~a~t pair of shorts". I said, "Which one?" She replied, "Iwant THAT pair of shorts!" and pointed to the mannequin. I was seething but held my boiling rage. As I went to carry out my task I heard her sighing heavily behind me. I immediately took a U-turn and ignored her request, scolding "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck" under my breath.

6. Singaporeans are super-duper kiasu.
They always want to get a look at the pieces that you are hanging up on the hangers.

7. There are a lot of Chinese (China people) patronising TM Dano.
No explanation needed, really.

8. Do not wear heels for retail jobs.
Go experience it yourself and tell me about it.

9. Malay aunties are nice.
No offence and no intention to stir up political unrest.


I would like to address various groups about some of my comments and thoughts.

To the great public:

1. Does wrapping the waistline of a skirt/pair of pants around your neck give you a precise answer as to whether the size fits you? You try it on in the end.

2. Don't bother to ask for new pieces.
Seriously, what's the difference? We get 'new' pieces for you from the store room, but they may not be exactly new. They may be previously new pieces that we had packed back when the customer didn't want it anymore.

3. Don't insist on trying that size, that colour.
When it doesn't fits, we have to pack it back again. And you put others in risk of getting your skin disease. (Refer to 2)

4. Don't bother to fold the clothes when you have messed it up.
In the end, we have to fold them again. Feeling guilty would be enough. Thank you for your kind efforts, though.

5. Dano has got nothing to do with 'Giordano'.
I didn't even know Dano such a brand exists before I got this job. It mainly sells office wear for ladies. No wonder.


To the management commitee of Dano:

1. From what i hear from the phone calls, the staff at J8 are so rude!
FIRE! (Ididn't suggest anything. Coincidentally I am playing DOTA. =>)

2. Get more XL size pieces!
I always have to call other outlets and check stock like crazy because there is only one piece of XL for every
article.
Haven't you heard of the increasing obesity rate?
Plus some of the cuttings are so small!

3. Get more pieces of the bags deilvered to the outlets!
The checking stock problem again. Customers always want new pieces.

4. Get rid of knitwear uniforms!
They get looser and looser with every wash. Soon they will become togas.

5. Open an outlet each at Compass Point and Parkway Parade.
Customers are always asking if there are outlets at these places.

6. Increase the salary of the staff.
We work like, ten hours a day, and the pay is so meagre? What the hell... We stand the whole day long, you know? I had to apply Counterpain for the first few days at work.
It's just a personal problem. =) Heh heh.

7. Get more PLAIN tubes and PLAIN black pants.
Customers are always asking us for them.

8. Send the staff for English lessons.
The staff aren't very proficent in English. Look at the New Year posters, for example. It reads "New Year Sale: 20% Off", followed by small wordings of "Minimum two pieces. Only on regular items only."
Not to mention that I get really giddy when I read the memos given to us by the HQ.

9. Install CCTVs in the shops.
The staff may be skiving or sitting behind the counter. Did i say I am the culprit? Shit. I would be more diligent if there were people spying on me whole day long. I actually asked my colleague twice about it for double assurance. Perhaps the boss wants to save costs.
Anyway, they also help to deter theft, right?


To budding apparel designers(like me):

1. Singaporeans like it simple.
So don't design really complicated and fanciful stuff. I appreciate them, though. Ruffles and stuff.


I shall end here. My contract ends only on April 14th. Can't wait for that day. By then I may post another similar entry.

YAY! I gonna get my hands on Avril's new cd, The Best Damn Thing, on 17th April. Whoopee!


P.S. Hope the staff at Dano HQ don't blog.