Posts by tag
talkingsoup
A Better Type of Buzz
Frank Sonderborg receives a phone call from an old work colleague who is currently in jail for robbing a string of post offices alongside a group of French thieves. Drink, drugs, and Euro-hijinks galore. Some buzz…
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: The Last Day
In the final chapter of Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer, the author looks back to the feeling of a last day at work.
Computers and Retail
Brian Brehmer looks into how computers have made ordering a milk deliver anything but easy. Retail Tales is back.
Our Year of Living Ridiculously
As lockdown leaves her student community stranded, Annalise Murray and her flatmates get creative with the help of TikTok and an abundance of television.
Somewhat More Than Zero
Leah Mueller, the voice of everyday America, returns to Talking Soup with a tale of love, music, and work from 1980s Chicago.
Which One Today?
When the desire arises, Ken Cumberlidge occasionally wishes he could wear women’s clothes. In this personal essay, he reflects on what this might mean in modern society.
Have You Suffered an Injury at Work That Wasn’t Your Fault?
Brian Brehmer, no stranger to being injured in the workplace, again descends into bureaucratic hell in order to make a compensation claim.
Vengeance is Mine
The writing process is a long and hard one. If at first you don’t succeed…find an inspirational arachnid. Graeme Hunter joins Talking Soup with a tale of rejection, acceptance, and joyful vengeance.
The Night Shift
A liminal zone, where daytime rules need not apply. George Aitch looks into the experience of working the night shift.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: Invisible Employees
Brian Brehmer looks into an unusual phenomenon in the world of retail; the invisible employee.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: Too Many Managers
Brian Brehmer has a look around him and sees managers, managers, and more managers.
Some Blockchain with your Cheese Sir?
Frank Sonderborg muses on cryptocurrencies and Blockchain, and wonders what it all means for the world…and the wine industry.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: Inclement Weather
Brian Brehmer goes into the absurd world of retail in conditions of inclement weather. Tornado? Hurricane? Snow? You’d better believe you are expected to clock in.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: Job Titles
Brian Brehmer goes into the confusing world of job titles in the joy of working in retail. This is how management get away with paying you less.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: The Transfer
Brian Brehmer is torn from the relative comfort of his store to be transferred to another, then another, then another. It can only be Retail tales.
Cocktail Night
From friendship to growing up, Esther Hope Arthurson gives us a snippet on life on cocktail night.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: Inventory
Brian Brehmer describes the utter soul-destroying misery of an inventory in the world of retail.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: A Visit from Corporate
When a nameless corporate stooge comes to check the shop, Brian Brehmer and the retail crew attempt to appease the managerial presence.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: The Job Application
Retail veteran, Brian Brehmer, looks into the life-sapping questions on a standard job application form. It can only be Retail Tales.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: #17 The Interview
The begin of any descent into the world of retail always starts with two simple words: Job interview.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: #16 The First Day
After this, I was handed over to a department, given a walkie talkie with which to communicate and told to work. The department I received first? Men, shoes and baby. Seems I could not escape shoes even if I tried.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: #15 Injuries in the Workplace
So what did I learn from all of this? First and foremost, do not get hurt at work, just rub some dirt on it, walk it off and pretend as if nothing happened, because that is exactly what everyone else is going to do in regards to your case and situation.
Retail Tales with Brian Brehmer: #14 The Time Clock
In a perceived act of corporate evil, it seems that the time clock at work is operating on a different wavelength from the rest of the world. Time for Brian Brehmer.