The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-01
WHAT MAKES A GOOD sALEswomAN.
Beauty Not an Unmixed Advantage-Tests of
Temper and Tact.

Temper and Tact.
New York Sun.
do you have many applications for work
from saleswomen?' asked reporter of the
manager of large uptown store.
''We can get all we need at short notice."
he replied. Most of the ladies like to hail
from large concern like ours. But it is not
so easy to find many who are full up to our
standard"
What is the standard?'
The question is not easy to answer. We
expect lady to be quiet, vet confident;
alert and wide-awake, yet polite add agreea-
Bile; easy and frank, yet possessing a touch
OF t1rmness, and not so outspoken as to in
lure trade. In fact, a good saleslady is
rather complex article under simple ex-
| terror. Patience and GOODNESS are among
the best points they can possess, l some
times feel obliged, in doubtful cases, to test
an applicant upon this point of equanimity
by trying the effect of some little aggravat-
I ing remark. If she remains cool
and pleasant, her chances are good; if she
colors and bites her lips l am forced to regard
her as inexperienced, and put her in some
| simple department-hosery for example.
| One OF the instincts that an inexperienced
girl has to contend with is the tendency to
stitfen upif customer becomes little dis
agreeable. But can pick out good sales
lady much more easily than 1 can describe
her."
is beauty desirable pOlnt!'
"On the whole l think its Importance is
overrated. I should prefer, from business
| point OF view, what is called an attractive
girl, who is graceful and has fair figure.
Many of our best salesladles are not remark
able for physical charms, though all are
agreeable in manner. Some houses make
| point of beauty 1t is thought to be useful
at counters frequented by gentlemen but
we have often been obliged to displace sales
ladies for keeping gentlemen in converse
| ton. The art is to say just enough to
effect the sales and dispose of the Gus
| toner when business commences TO degen-
erte into chatter Beauties are hard to
take care of. We often have to call them,
that is, send them on a message to distant
part of the establishment as hint. | think
it quite possible that larger sales at higher
profits are sometimes made in the depart
ments of mems furnishing goods by having
good-looking girls behind the showcases.
Nevertheless, 7 do not think that, as whole,
we consider the value of pretty girl in the
wages market to be greater than that of
palmer girl who is as attractive in other
| respects We do not pay more for
beauty unless it is combined with
other high qualities In the
cloak and other trying-on departments
! personal charms are of great value, of
course, and command high wages; but even
here it is more matter of figure and grace
full movement than Of face. 1t is, perhaps,
advantageous to have handsome refined
| looking girls in the lace and embroidery de-
partments In the silk and trimmings de-
partments we require good taste, faculty
for nice draping and quick eye for colors,
united with a genius for matching fabrics.
We pay we'll in these departments, and in
selecting ladies for them good looks have
only a secondary place. Some of the ladies,
as you will notice, are quite plain, but are
all nice looking.
women perfectly, suitable for the trim
med-hat department are certainly born, not
made. I assure you that few of the fine arts
are more difficult than that of selling ladies'
hats. The hats, with their velvets, silks,
laces, flowers, feathers, and passementeriest
are very complex articles. To be able to
choose the particular one from stock that is
most suitable and becoming to customers
features, complexion, age and style re-
quires natural gifts of high
order. Ladies are always studying
dress more or less, but the number who
can trim a hat tastefully and who know
what is most becoming to them is small.
They feel this and although they are often
very opinionated in other matters of dress,
they are quite apt to depend much upon any
saleslady in this department whom they be-
lieve to be really competent Hence the
need of the best talent here, and as the best
talent Is always in demand, the prices for it
are high"
why do they object to being called sales
women"
81 don't know"