So, I posted this question in another online forum and was sort of taken to task for it - one person actually asked me, "what, are you Mustachian or something?" Well, no, not yet, though it is a goal. :) So I figured I'd post it here where people are more likely to get what I am saying.
I have a job that I mostly really like, and my work just opened up a retail store. I work in the store occasionally, and do not enjoy that, but it's less than 20% of my overall job duties.
We sell wants, not needs, and while I believe in our products, I feel like people should be paying off their debt or saving for retirement rather than buying the sort of things we sell. This makes it really difficult for me to do things like upsell to customers – it makes me feel dirty and like I am doing them a disservice.
This is a small enough part of my job, which I otherwise really enjoy, that to me it’s not worth looking elsewhere. I am not commission based and we don’t have quotas or anything like that. It isn't a high-pressure environment. Though recently, our owner said something to the effect of "we should be able to take someone who wants to spend $5, and have them leave spending $25 and feeling good about having done so." I didn't say anything in that meeting because I know my co-workers are not frugal, but I wanted to say "why on earth would someone feel good about spending more than they intended?"
I’ve read about sales techniques that say things like, you’re not selling, you’re solving a problem your customer has. And I get that intellectually…. but again, I’m frugal personally so I have a hard time seeing the “problem” as an actual problem. Lack of nice art for your walls at home, or lack of the perfect accessory to wear to a party, is not a problem as far as I am concerned.
I am curious whether any of you guys are dealing with this in your jobs, and how you cope. I don't expect everyone to be mustachian but I am not cool with actively encouraging other people to be materialistic. (I hope that distinction is clear; I was flamed elsewhere for "dictating what I'm allowed to spend my money on, I am perfectly capable of putting money in my 401k and still buying things I want!")
My company isn't an evil corporate empire and my bosses and co-workers are not bad people, but they don't really understand mustachianism at all. And of course I want the company to do well and to keep my job. Can anyone help me reframe this in my head?