Most of them aren’t having a good day because people can be such jerks. I try to be nice to retail workers even more at this time of year.
Having worked retail, I know what it’s like to face tired and cranky people, so whenever I can, I call the clerks by name and thank them for the time they have spent with me.
If they are trainees, I try to let them know that we all had a “first time” behind the register, and that they will do great.