Only a few days are left until I say good-bye to the South Philly store that I’ve spent most of my time at for the last two and a half years. My first foray into the world of retail turned out to be my longest-running occupation of my life, and I’ve made many friends (and even a few enemies) along the way. I’ve also gained a lot of experience in the working world and spent entirely too much money on video games, but now it’s time to say goodbye. But before I go, I thought I’d share a few things I’ll miss about my soon-to-be former job, as well as the things I won’t. THINGS I’LL MISS: Regulars. You know, those customers who come to the store almost every day, who know you by name, and who always want to know what you’re playing. They can range from a group of 14-year-olds dubbed “the Apple Dumpling Gang” to an 84-year-old hardcore PC gamer, but they’re familiar faces that are always welcome in the store. Having cool regulars is one of the best parts of working in a game store. It’s also nice to get feedback from these folks about what they’re playing, as it sometimes influences my game-buying decisions as well. Co-Workers. I’ve befriended a lot of people in my district over the past few years, and some of them have become my best friends. There are a few people that I’m going to miss seeing all the time, even though I’m sure I’ll still catch them on Xbox Live (or on Gamervision!). Checking Out Games. Getting to play a game without having to pay for it? Literally priceless. Nice for those easy-to-beat games, reviews, or something to just tide me over until the next big release comes out. Life is not going to be the same without an entire library of video games at my fingertips. The Discount! I don’t even want to think about the amount of money I’ve spent on video games in the last two years, but one thing is certain: I saved a lot, too. Fifteen percent makes a big difference when you buy as many games as I do, and it’s going to be hard for me to have to pay the full retail value from now on… especially with the number of games coming out next month. THINGS I WON’T MISS: Annoying Customers. You know the type: the ones who want to pick a fight with you for no reason, who bitch and moan if they’re not waited on immediately, who don’t understand the return policy, or even the ones who think they’re always right even when they have no clue what they’re talking about. Any job that involves customer service will have its share of ignorant people, obviously. However, I definitely won’t miss trying to explain the difference between a 60 gig hard drive and an 80 gig hard drive to people with the IQ of a toothpick. In a related matter, I also won’t miss questions such as “Does backwards compatibility mean I have to put the game in backwards?” and “Is the internet in the air?” Sleazy Guys. Can I tell you how much I won’t miss being called “sweetheart” or “baby” by complete strangers? I know I’ve talked about this before, but it never stops being really irritating. Some dudes really need a lesson in social etiquette. Guess what, guys? I’m not behind the counter to get hit on. Also, when I turn around to grab a game for you, it’s not an invitation to stare at my ass. Working the Holidays. If I’m on the schedule on the fourth of July it’s really not a big deal, but the winter holiday season in retail is brutal. It’s such a relief to know that I don’t have to work on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day this year. And I don’t even want to get into the nightmare that is Black Friday. MADDEN. Have I mentioned that I don’t like football? So imagine what it’s like in a video game store when the biggest release of the year is a freaking football game that I know absolutely nothing about. The Madden midnight launch and the days that follow it are among the busiest of the year, with football fans trading in their banged-up old copies of the previous year’s sports games for 25 cents apiece to get their shiny new football game. Guess what, guys? Madden decreases in value 80% over the course of one year. Why do people spend $60 on this game when they could wait a month and pay $20 less? It’s a mystery I will never comprehend. I also won’t miss the Madden zombies who flock to the store asking “You got that ’08?” to which I usually snarkily reply, “You mean Rugby ’08? Coming right up!”