Minnie's Interview
Interview With KeithAs I sit in front of my computer skyping with Keith I realize getting him into a comfortable interview won’t be as easy as Minnie’s. So I start off by asking about his classes, school, etc. Finally, I introduce the topic of Abercrombie slowly. “So tell me, Keith, how do you like working at Abercrombie?”. I notice right as I said that that Keith has on a familiar green t-shirt with a year printed in large letters—one that I’ve folded a million times.
Keith gives a loud sigh. “The pay is crap,” he starts out and immediately bursts into laughter. “It can either be really, really stressful,” he continues. “Lately has been really, really stressful, and I think it has to do with the management. Cause before when I worked there, I was only working on weekends. But I was an impacter (Read what that is here). So I would just come in, hang out with people and listen to music in the back—which was awesome--.” “Yeah I seriously would love to be impact.” I agree. Wow, I thought. He really didn’t need any easing into. “But, like, now that I’m a model… Oh! I remember when I became a model, you remember Katharine?” He asked. “No.” "Well I used to be in the back and they said [In a high pitched, snooty voice] ‘You cant be back here you’re a model now’, when I first changed over and I’m like….’Aren’t we still cool?” And she’s like… ‘the only reason why your out there is because you’re ‘Abercrombie Pretty”’ …like models are supposed to be stuck up or something…and honestly… a lot of our models aren’t even that hot. You were!” I laughed out loud shyly. That was a good save, I thought. “I’m confused. When did you get switched from an impact to a model? Or how? And why?” “Arty just texted me one day and said ‘you’re a model. Thanks.’” “Fair enough.” I said. “Okay, next. Does working here boost your confidence?” “It felt the same,” said Keith. “It didn’t feel any different but people treat you different. They feel like there’s sort of a hierarchy between models and impacters but I don’t—I’m not into that. “Yeah, I feel you—it’s awkward.” I added. “I mean we’re all getting paid minimum wage, so. Like oh wow you’re in the front. You’re better than me?” “Yeah exactly! On the floor you listen to the same songs that loop every, what, 45 minutes? And you have to tag every single freaking customer.” “Oh yeah, so amazing.. But like. There is kind of a tension between models and impacts. Like sometimes I would be talking to Katherine, who’s an impact, and I’ll be like stressed out and she’ll be like “Oh my god It must be so hard for you working out here greeting people and folding clothes…” “What? That’s so rude!” “--and I’m like… what do you guys do over there? Listen to music and fold clothes? At least you don’t have to listen to our shitty music. Cause like really it’s horrible. You could just plug your iPod in back there. “I KNOW!” I exclaimed. “It’s so frustrating! “I noticed you’re wearing an Abercrombie t-shirt. Since you’ve been working there, do you find yourself liking and wearing the brand more?” There was a long pause before Keith responded. “That’s tough. I don’t know if I’m really more attracted to it…It’s just become a part of what I wear plus I get their clothes for cheap so… might as well.” “So if you weren’t working there would you go to the store and buy some clothes there?” “Yeah…” He starts to laugh, embarrassed. “Sorry.” “Don’t worry it seems to happen to all of us!” I assure him. “I just bought this vest, and these shirts and some sweaters.” “Oh from the new line?” “Yeah. I continued, “Do you think being an employee at this clothing store is ‘trendier’ than working at other retailers?” “NO?!” Keith exclaimed. “It’s a joke! A grunt worker is still a grunt worker no matter who he works for.” “You said it. Fair enough. So what do you think are the major differences between managers and models?” “Work ethic. Specifically Brad. I think his technique is to b**** at you for what he hasn’t accomplished yet. He literally stresses you out from him being stressed out! Like he comes into work and he’s like OH MY GOD I have to get all this done! And I’m like how the fuck is this my fault? I wasn’t here last night “I KNOW! And then he’s like “Sorry you can’t go on your break because I’m behind.” “Wait,” I paused. “Aren’t they obligated to give everyone a break?” “Yeah I think it’s a legal issue, but I’ve never really pushed it. “Yeah… you should look into that because that’s really annoying. Anyways, do you think that they care more about the Abercrombie policy than the models did?” “Brad takes it seriously! ! Nobody else does. For Brad it’s like his LIFE. He still tries to bang every single associate. Like every single girl associate.” Wrapping up the interview I asked "Anything else you want to add? Likes? Dislikes?" "I don’t like the amount of sexual harassment." “Are you being serious? Or are you talking about Brad?” “Yeah” “Yeah he is a weird guy. Do you think that’s only at our Abercrombie or like everywhere else?” “I think it’s everywhere!” “Yeah you’re looking for attractive people to hire so you're going to be attracted to them." “Yeah I agree it’s very.. .unprofessional.” “Yeah its just.. weird.” "Well I think that's good enough for now!" I said. Read rest of interview on Abercrombie's Marketing Methods
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