Today's entry tastes a little bitter. But can you blame me?

Generally speaking, I like Christmas music. I like it all from secular to religious. True to that statement, I listen to and sing along with (occasssionally I may be caught dancing, too) the music when it plays at work. The Christmas music has been on for a couple of weeks now. For those of you who think that is too soon, I would like to point out that the first Christmas trees were going up in October, and we actually sold one during that same week.

Moving on.

A little while ago, I wrote about stupid song lyrics that I've heard while working. Well, the holiday season is no exception to that. Being the naturally cheery person that I am, I can put up with a lot of ridiculous if done in the spirit of Christmas. However, I would like to draw attention to one song: "The Joy of Christmas" by Marty Robbins. In one line of the song, he says, "People seem much friendlier this time of year." He then goes on to exclaim about the goodwill and merriment that commence as the mother of all holidays draws closer.

I call party foul, Mr. Robbins. You have obviously never worked in retail, and I would dare to venture have spent very little time even in a store around the holidays. I don't know who is "friendlier" but it sure ain't the people shopping at the 'mart.

(Maybe I'm working for the wrong chain? I'll bet they get real friendly down at the liquor store or the adult superstore. Hmmm . . . .)

It, quite simply, confounds me. Christmas is supposed to be about giving. And it's true, the people that come into the store are buying Christmas gifts. Things to be given away with the intent to make the receiver happy. But do people ever stop to wonder at the complete contradiction that the holiday shopping frenzy poses to that wonderful "Christmas spirit"? Okay, so we're out of the toy your child desperately wants for Christmas. That's no reason to piss and moan the people who work in the store and have no control over the inventory that gets sent in. You know what would make my holiday season? Someone, disappointed that we don't have what they want, saying, "It's alright. It's Christmas." And smiling and thanking the associate who dug through the entire stockroom looking for that one gift you wanted. Or who called four other areas stores trying to locate one for you. That's part of the Christmas spirit.

You know what happens instead? Scream. Rant. "You're ruining my kids' Christmas." No, you know what? YOU'RE ruining your kids Christmas by teaching them that the most important thing is getting everything you want, and not caring who you run over in the hunt for it. That if someone is wearing a nametag, it's okay to treat them like crap. That Christmas is about being a complete and utter asshole to people who spend their entire holiday season catering to your wants.

I've only worked in retail for two years, and I dread Thanksgiving. Simply because it is followed by Black Friday. I pray for this week to pass quickly. You know what I'm thankful for this year? That I was able to pay my bills. That my husband and I were able to save some money and not have to scrounge for change every month to eat. That we were able to afford to buy our families presents. That we survived another year, on our own.

And I was able to do all that because you, the American consumer, were nice enough to come into the store and yell at me for not having your shoe size in stock for two weeks in a row. Thanks, KMart shoppers.