The San Francisco call., 1910-11-13

"AE problem Oh the SalesSirl Is TO
the spectator, one of never-fail-
a ing interest. mixed In with
little bit of pity and some disgust. To
the employer the salesgirl is a question
that will never be solved until she learns
common sense and makes an effort to
get some intelligence into her head and
to look at things from the front OF the
counter instead of from behind IT. TO
the salesgirl her lot is the hardest on
the map-positively nothing could be
worse-yet II never enters her head that
In all probability she herself Is the
stumbling block to her happiness and
progress
You know there are many people in
this world, and you meet them every
day, who are forever going around with
a chip on their shoulder and an injured
air, who never seem to be treated fairly,
whose services are always underrated-
when, nine times out Of ten, they are
not worth half the sum paid them. Well
they are the kind that make 1t hard for
the rest of the working world. The only
thing to do with such people Is TO ignore
them, for to try to remedy their fault Is
likely to be waste of time.
Life Is too short and this is day
when 1t Is "every man for himself: SO
with all the kindest consideration to
others, with due respect to your su-
periors, keep going ahead until you
reach the top. This does not mean to
say that you must resort to unfair
+vfr iCh
ways In which to earn your promotions.
It means keeping your eyes and ears
open, your brain clear and your tongue
still, except when necessary
It means keeping your personal ap-
pearance Just as neat as your financial
ends will permit you. Dress your hair
in a pretty style, one that is becoming
to you alone, and not IN any exaggerated
up-to-date fashion that looks out OF
place at your work. Pay particular at
tention to your clothes, to the manner
in which they are put on, to your belts,
your collars and your shoes. Keep your
hands in immaculate condition, for they.
In all probability, come into more prorni-
nence than any other part of your body.
your face excepted. II your hands are
wear little lace frill at the cuff of your
sleeve; you have no idea how 1t will
soften the looks OF the hand, When
black is worn during the late fall, winter
and early spring, the white null collars
and cuffs are very pretty. Wear little
1ewelry as possible. good brooch and
watch chain being sufficient.
But the main thing that has much to
do with your advancement Is your own
self, your own personality. the interest
you put into the selling of your goods.
Do not sell things just for the sake OF
making a sale. Study your customers
for human nature Is pretty much alike
until you get so that II they show an
uncertainty as to what they want (and
many do), you can almost read their
minds and hit on just what they desire.
When a woman finds girl who always
seems to know what she wants, take my
word for 1t, she will stick to her like a
leech, send her friends to her and stand
hy her always. But it is to get that
confidence that you must work.
While waiting on a customer let your
manner be just as pleasant and deferen-
tial, just as interesting and painstaking
as though a member OF the firm were at
your side taking mental note or your
work Show your customers other little
things which might possibly be OF in
terest to them. and II they do not buy at
the moment the chances are that they
will at some future date, and come to
you. Let them think the store is at
their service without allowing your at
tention to become familiar: and who
knows but what, in course of time you
may have a pet list of customers of
your own who will seek you out when
ever they come to your counter?
Another point to bear in mind is a full
and complete knowledge of your stock.
There is nothing SO annoying to a Gus
toner as to bs compelled to stand and
wait while salesgirl travels the length
Of the counter finding out If such and
such thing Is carried there. OF course.
there are tipes when such an occurrence
cannot be helped, possibly with some
article that is sold but twice a year. or
some very new goods; but with all that,
keep your avas open. Remember cus-