Page:The Girl Who Earns Her Own Living (1909).djvu/42

 the other side of the counter you will find that these very trifles have much to do with making your daily life livable. Many of the better stores have yielded to public opinion, or rather the pressure of their customers, and have installed stools or upturned boxes for the use of the saleswomen. Others still maintain the barbarous custom of expecting clerks to remain standing from morning until night.

It is very easy to learn whether the girls are well or ill-treated in a store. When shopping, start a chat with one of the clerks, and you will soon learn the character of the store's management.

This preliminary line of inquiry is important. No girl should rush blindly into a position. Managers are interested in the applicant who seems to know something about the store.

If you are a high school graduate, and have a mature appearance, you can apply at once for the position of salesgirl. If you are not over sixteen, fresh from the grammar school or even a lower grade, you must start as a cash-girl, a wrapper, or a bundle inspector. In all the modern, well-managed stores young girls are started in this way, and are trained for the work, and in a large auditorium theoretical instructions and lectures are given. The beginner generally receives three dollars a week, and is promoted as fast as she displays ability.