Without any brothers to learn about such things, Susan Dunn’s first job at B. Altman & Co. department store in White Plains, N.Y., became a crash course in men’s underwear.
Before taking the job, she had no idea what a French-front boxer was. Nor did she have a clue about which brands were longest wearing. But those were the kinds of questions middle-aged women would ask Dunn, who began working at the department store in high school and continued through college.
Dunn, who now heads the United Way of the Capital Area as its president and CEO, was a quick study and soon she knew the ins and outs about button-front men’s underwear — referred to as French-front boxers — and which brands held up after numerous washings.
She also had a stint in the luggage department, but learned more than just about baggage. She recalls working with two older gentlemen who had been in retail their entire lives. One gentleman, who was always delightful, wore what she thought was an “interesting cologne,” she said. Later a colleague clued her in that what she smelled wasn’t cologne, but in fact, alcohol.
That salesman was delightful for a reason. “He was imbibing,” Dunn said with a chuckle.
Regardless, she learned a lot from the salespeople who had worked many years in retail. “I had many good role models. They had retail ingrained in them — how you treat a customer, that you keep things neat. We were always busy. There was always something to be straightened up. And again, you were in a position to please the customer.”
The job taught her much more than the differences in men’s underwear.
“You learn about interacting with people,” Dunn said. “You become a better customer when you work on the other side. You have more respect of those folks serving you.”
She used part of her earnings to help pay for her college education at Fairfield University, where she was among the first women admitted to the school in 1970.
Her remaining earnings went right back to the B. Altman department store. Part of the “problem” with the job, she said, was that the employee discount was “fabulous.” In fact, Dunn took good advantage of that discount to boost her wardrobe.
Her first job lasted several years, and Dunn liked working in retail so much that she considered pursuing a career in the field.
“I actually wanted to be a buyer for a department store,” said Dunn, who earned a marketing degree.
But the long hours, weekends and evenings eventually deterred her. “I moved on,” she said.
