“Hi, how are you doing today?” No response. “Hey there, how’s it going?” A brief, but forced grin. “Hello Sir, how are you doing today?” Intercepted by a phone call. The mean between two extremes, Black Friday, is steadily approaching. As a retail sales associate, it’s become routine for me year after year to greet endless lines of grumpy, pumpkin latte-drinking, deal-seeking Black Friday shoppers.

Too bad that’s the easy part.

Often during Black Friday, shoppers forget about the person behind the counter. I use the term “Black Friday shoppers” loosely because shoppers of all seasons are hard to please. There are customers that are friendly and there are customers that are not so friendly. But for the most part, the tiny Christmas trees, chipmunk music, and 50 percent off signs don’t seem make the mall crowds any merrier.

You know, not all stores are like Nordstrom’s.

So please don’t get upset if the line you stand in starts from infinity to beyond and that shipping is not free. I apologize that shopping bags cost an additional 10 cents, but there are only so many times I can remind someone that the employee restroom is off limits. Things aren’t always going to be fair in the world, but we are not trying to make your life miserable.

Personally, I am scared of heights. But when a customer urges me to climb a 14 feet ladder to reach the exact same shirt that just “looked better” than the one already in her hand, I find it funny how I am still held accountable for her declined credit card. With this, loud kids, and that creepy guy holding your hand when you try giving them change, I don’t even want to talk about trying to resist the temptation to break the rule “the customer is always right.”

It’s not a sale associate’s fault that returns take more time than purchases. It’s not our doing that a manufacture crafted that sweater in every color but green. “Excuse me miss, why is the floor sticky?” I warned you not to bring the drink into the store.

Hopefully the standard 15-minute break between shifts will be enough to cool down.

I understand that shopping on Black Friday is a hectic time and nothing matters more than to get the perfect gifts for loved ones. Yet, there are things that most shoppers do not realize. There is a reason behind our madness, no matter how inconvenient it may seem. Sales associates like myself must do the procedures we do because it’s our job; especially when working in San Francisco where organized retail crime is most common.

The Bay Area is known as one of the nation’s top ten places for organized retail crime. Five-finger discounts, booster bags, multiple item returns without a receipt, switching tags, and using a stolen credit card are just some of the tactics. I mention these because theft happens more frequently during the holiday season. But by simply working with a sales adviser, one can find great deals, protect their identity, and avoid losing a credit card all at the same time. I just want to give you all a heads up because verifying information, providing identification, and acting courteous can make all the difference.

Everyone deserves an easygoing holiday season with filled great deals.

So on your next shopping trip whether on Black Friday or not, don’t forget about the person behind the counter. Even if there were more friendly customers out there, I’d be somewhat more excited to go to work if I could only find parking.