What about retail?

I’m actually formulating some interesting ideas thanks to comments and e-mails from yesterday’s readers and to a long conversation with my friend M this morning over a latte at Peregrine. But as promised, I will logically explore some options as I continue this thought process.

I’m probably one of the few people my age who can say I never worked in a clothing store, a grocery store, a bank, or a real restaurant. I don't even know what it would feel like to work on commission. The closest thing I ever did in the way of retail to the public was making Barbie Doll clothes when I was about 14. I offered 10 outfits for 10 dollars, which took at least 10 hours to make. So I was making just a little more than I could have as a babysitter. But I loved designing those doll clothes and it took next to nothing in the way of materials to cover all those plastic curves. I also did a limited amount of sewing for humans, but was less intrigued when it involved following a pattern as opposed to creating something original.

I should mention my 3-month stint in college working in a bar, where I worked practically under slave labor for crusty old Dick, who was more concerned about the fact that I was not putting a big enough head on the beer than paying me a decent hourly rate that might make me want to stay on. The thing I hated most was the disappointment when I had waited on a large party only to find that they had left no tip -- NADA! Or dealing with an irate customer who didn’t like the sandwich he received.



Some retired people (who have been highly paid professionals) gravitate toward jobs in retail, where they can simply walk away with no thought about anything other than the hours they just clocked up. I love reading about the escapades of Merle Sneed, a fellow retiree of a comparable age who now works at Ace Hardware and who ponders things like the guy who didn’t lock up properly or the other guy who chased down a shoplifter.

But as hard as I try, I can’t picture myself working in a spice store, a fabric store, a pet store, or a bank. I would probably get an ulcer from having to smile while dealing with incompetent or otherwise difficult people. I would probably chafe under the supervision of someone half my age. I would like the aspect of not having to take my work home, but I’m afraid I would draw little pleasure from the hours on the job.

As we explored my talents and interests this morning over coffee, my friend M suggested I could make tailored clothes for professionals. My limited experience with sewing for people would suggest that sewing for profit usually results in not much profit and sewing as a job is not the same as sewing as a hobby.

I am actually thinking of an idea that involves serving the public and doing something I love to do that leaves unlimited room for creativity. So retail may not be totally out of the question, but we’ll see. Later in the week I’ll share my plan with you, my faithful readers who never seem to tire of all this wheel-spinning in an effort to find happiness and fulfillment!



(Photos are from last night, picnicking outside the Botanical Garden while waiting to attend a free concert of the Navy Commodores on the Capitol Steps.)