I hate to be a downer…and a complainer…and the one with a bad attitude. But the past two days have been HELL. At least to me.
Let’s just say my Rick Owen’s internship was anything but fun. They worked us to the bone both yesterday and today. I was there from 8:30am to 9pm. That’s a long day let me tell you.
While it was a worthwhile experience, I would have been 100% happy NOT going back after yesterday’s experience. I really learned a lot just form watching interactions between buyer and seller and viewing different methods of merchandising. I also learned that I have to be strong in my ways and not be afraid to say what I'm thinking. Yesterday I was in a much better mood so my ability to not take things personally was at an all time high. But my day overall consisted of being the sellers’ slave.
Tuesday, as I mentioned, I had to run around Paris to try and find 10 bottles of soymilk and 4 kg butter. Thanks again to my Dad for being patient with me at 3 am as I begged him to convert grams to kilograms. It's has been a while since I had chem! In any case, I had no idea where anything was located in this area of the city and no one gave me any direction as to where to find a grocery store. When I asked where the nearest market was, their response was “Ask someone on the way.” Wow.
I also made over 1000 copies, separated them into about 100 booklets, dressed models, watched everyone go out for 20 minute smoking breaks (which were totally acceptable) yet me stopping to eat lunch which consisted of an apple for 5 minutes was totally not acceptable.
I was blamed for everyone else’s mistakes. I was asked to do 5 different things at once, and by doing each thing I was getting someone else mad at me. I was yelled at on a number of occassions and called a B**** when I didn’t inform the seller immediately that there was not an extra iPhone charger available for her client.
I survived yesterday. But today, around noon, the tears began to flow. Multiple workers in the showroom gathered around me comdmening ME, just me, because the models were changing some of their clothes in the showroom instead of the back room. I totally agreed that was not right but the sellers were the one’s giving it to them and telling them not to leave! I’m at the bottom of the food chain and the sellers are the, well humans. What was I supposed to do?
By the end of the today I was totally checked out. My brain was dead. Of course, my face was beaming as I walked down the steps to leave. NEVER again do I want to go there. NEVER!
The woman in charge asked if I would come Friday since she knew I didn’t have anything scheduled. I just stared at her, not sure how to respond and finally said: “I don’t think I’m going to do that. Sorry. It’s been a good experience but my parents are paying a lot for this trip and I want to enojy my last few days here.”
Her respone to me: “Yeah well, it is actually hard work. Some people can’t do it.”
I know she meant that offensively and at first I took it personally. But then I thought...
You’re right. I could not work here. So many people in there are miserable. I can see it in their faces. Majority are mean (not all, I did in fact meet some really friendly people too). I know that there are mean people everywhere—I’m not naive—I’ve dealt with a lot of different types working in retail. But the overall demeanor was standoffish. There was a dark feel. And she's right, I can’t do it. I am honestly too caring and nice. I mean that in the humblest way too. I can give orders and manage, but 99% of the time I at least try to do it loving way. Everyone is human. I want people to feel happy and welcomed and comfortable. Not like a piece of trash. Maybe that’s living in a fairytale world. But that’s who I am. I’m nice. I want others to be happy BEFORE myself. That’s the place where I would work. Where others are put before oneself. And you know what? I don’t know if many people at my internship could do that.
I’m not saying being one way is better than the other—just that we are all different. And I would not fit in well at Rcik Owens. Lesson learned.
AHHH! SO excited that is over. Now enjoying Paris.
PS. I don’t want to condemn Rick Owens as a brand and designer. He is a fabulous designer with quality pieces that are absolutely beautiful and edgy all at the same time. I would love to own one of his jackets one day. They are amazing!
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