San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-18
High School Students and
d, Clerks Are Given Instruc-
ton by Government-Lit-
tie Points About Selling
Are Explained in Detail;
Four Classes Now Operat-
ing in City.

Whether customer is cross, impu-
dent, irritable, mentally defective, i'm
patient, sarcastic, inaffable or sullen
or possessed of any other undesirable
character, students taking the retail
selling course, either at Main Ave-
nue. or Breckenridge High School or
at Grants or Joske Brothers store,
arc taught to answer in a polite way
and at all times to have smile on
their countenance.
When considering the fact that a
salesman in a retail store encounters
every possible nature during the day,
it is hard to answer some crabby old
person in a respectful manner, much
less have a smile. However, these
are the primary things that are in
stilled in the students in the selling
course, under Misses Helen Cockrem
and Marion Taylor.
Another thing that is taught in the
course is personal hygiene. Doubt
less it does not occur to the aver
age person how absolutely necessary
it is to present a good appearance
in order to sell an article. Of course
it is true that without fundamental
knowledge of the merchandise. per-
sonal appearance would not sell the
goods but on the other hand, knowl-
edge of the merchandise would not
sell it unless the salesman presented
good appearance. Therefore, the
two 60 hand in hand, so to speak.
Taught Little Details.
The first thing taught in the course
is how to make out a sale ticket. In
the high schools, more time is taken
with this phase of the work as the
students have doubtless never made
sale ticket out before. Next they
are taught TO handle a cash register
make change and wrap.
Then comes the course in learning
all there is to know about the goods
10 be sold. After knowing this it is
necessary to have knowledge OF
psychology. so as to know just how
to approach this person and how not
to approach that one. Some people
can be handled in one way while or
another, this way would not work al
! all.
All Of these minor things have been
| thought out by the teachers in charge
| 1t does not occur to the average per
son, probably. how many little things
are taught TO the salesman. For ex.
ample. a student is taught to know
when he has the customer sold and
when TO quit talking. Lots OF times
person is COMPLETELY sold but the
clerk continues 10 talk and. becom.
ing disguised, the customer turns and
walks out.
On the other hand. a salesman has
| tried every means in the world. il
seems. to sell n customer and vet the
| finishing touch is lacking. An ex'
perienced salesman. or one havinc
been through the course in retail sell
ing. will recognize what is lacking and
start all over again. and nine times
out Of ten will sell his customer.
Working Peoule Helped.
One hundred and sixty punils are
taking the course in retail selling IL
| San Antonio. MS provided for in thC
federal Smith-Huehes act. passed. II
1917. There are two classes Mt MAR
Avenue High School and one at Joskt
Brothers. under Miss Marion Taylor
and two classes at Breckenridge nnt
one Mt Grants store, under Miss Hell
on Cockrem.
Certain restrictions are placed npor
ttnse Wishing to take thr cnr~se. An
lone who is employed is eligible, pro