Shop Happy Girl

Why do stores hire teenagers and 20-somethings when older people are more efficient?

I've found that 40 to 50 year olds are the best store clerks. They are more attentive and listen to your needs. The young people seem too busy discussing their social life with each other to help customers, and when you insist on their attention, they only sigh and roll their eyes, like helping you is a really a big bother and interruption.

Public Comments

1. they have to pay the old people more $$$.
2. Because they have less exerience and they don't have to pay them as much. It's all about the bottom dollar and the store making a profit.
3. because their nice and they need jobs. and their resigme was good and it looks good to the shoppers to have more ages working there.
4. The advantage of the younger workers is that they work cheap. Older people have more of a sense of the value of money and of their time and will not put up with crappy wages unless they are desperate.
5. Sad but true- *They don't ask for any benefits *They can pay them crap *More Attractive
6. there are more of them looking for jobs and they will work for less money and be content with it
7. I agree for the most part, but not all youngsters are that way. I am in my 20's and I no longer work in retail, but I never had a customer complaint because I took my job seriously. I don't think it's about age, I think it's about finding someone that will take their job seriously regardless of how insignificant the job may seem.
8. Thats a stereotype. I've been working since I was 15 and I was constantly told by my boss that I was the best employee he's ever had. Don't judge people cause they're young.
9. Young people are in a surplus because so many of them get jobs, and the older people tend to work less because they retire... Younger people also will work for less without whining about health benefits and stuff like that. A lot of them are just looking to get a little extra pocket cash. By the way, there are plenty of incompetent older folks as well as competent younger folks.
10. cheap labour and 40 to 50 year olds already have real jobs. besides y should u question that when i need a job?
11. I would guess that 40- to 50-year-olds are usually overqualified for most retail counter positions, and/or want more pay than teens will work for. When you're hoping to pay your own teenagers' college bills, the rent, food, etc, retail drudge pay doesn't go far. If you're young and just starting out, or just working to buy more clothes and movies and bling than Mom will pay for, you expect to be low on the food chain.
12. Because older people generally know their working rights.
13. that may be true in some instances, However, the 40 year olds like to tlak about their social lives and families as well. If retail paid a litlle bit better it would attract a more better employee.
14. For a lot of places, it's about image. If you are trying to be a store that caters towards teenagers and twenty-somethings, then having 40 year olds working there gets you no where. What teenager wants advice on what looks cool from a 40 year old.
15. Well, Let me tell you something, when I was a kid, I worked at K-Mart. I started when I was 16 years old, I had respect for customers, helped them when ever they needed help, I was very friendly, kind, and most of all respectful, which most kids don't have, and I'm not only talking about now, I'm also talking way back 20 years ago. If most of these teenagers did not work, don't you think they would get into trouble in the streets? Most kids are lazy, dumb and stupid. I'm glad when I see kids working. Kids need to work, start learning responsibility. When I go out shopping and ask someone (kids) for help, if they roll there eyes or sigh, that just makes me want to bother them some more, or I would just tell them they need to have respect for older people. To tell you the truth I hate kids, I personally cannot stand them. But little babes, I just love babes, they are just so so cute... Captain, Chris W T ATP- Lear 45, B747- A318 - A380 CFI
16. cuz we're HOT xoxox
17. the biggest thing i've noticed at my job is that older people seem set in their ways and aren't always willing to accept store policies or learn how to operate new things. plus they are more likely to have things to do outside of work like things with their kids or doctors appointments. i'd also like to point out that they can't be that good or they'd be in management already.
18. Wouldn't you feel put on if some wrinkly old bag walks up to you and you're in the middle of a conversation with an attractive co-worker and without so much as an "excuse me" asks where the Depends are and she's standing right next to them?
19. Simple. You can't call a 40 to 50 year old in on a whim and tell them if they don't show they'll lose the job. You can't force them to work overtime, or give them so few hours they can only afford to get to work. You can't talk to them like they are 20 somethings and intimidate them. Most 40 to 50 year olds also need to make more than minimum wage, don't want to stand on their feet all day, and have or need jobs with benefits.