My daughter was sick this week. As a result, I was bound to the house for 2 days. Not knowing if she would be better the next day, I went to the supermarket as soon as my husband came home on Tuesday. I haven’t shopped in the evening in quite a while, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Surprisingly the store wasn’t crowded at all. Shelves aren’t as stocked, but I was able to purchase what was needed. All was good until I got to the check out. That is when I noticed a major difference.
The cashier and the bagger were both under the age of 20. With me standing right there, they did nothing but complain about how many hours they had to work, their schedule for the week, when they were going to finally get their break, and what the managers were doing to them. I wanted to say something, but really did know what. Mostly I wanted to know why they applied for full-time hours if they didn’t want to work 8 hours a day. Also, what made them think it appropriate to have this type of conversation in the presence of a customer?
I usually shop for food around 9 to 10 A.M. Parking lots aren’t crowded, lines are shorter, and I prefer to do this early in the day. The staff tends to be made up mostly of adult workers. Most are kind and friendly. There are some that are much older than me. I often wonder if some are working to make ends meet. Regardless, they are efficient, smile, and go about the business of serving the customer. They might move a little slower, but they have the strong work ethic that I remember being instilled as I was growing up. My grandparents worked much longer hours, in less desirable conditions, in order to survive.
I am not throwing all young people under the bus. There are many places, including this store, where the young people are incredibly polite and helpful. There are others though who need to learn that working is not easy. Every job can have long hours, difficulties, and a tough schedule. Every type comes with challenges and periods of exhaustion. The satisfaction comes from the knowledge of a job well-done, of contributing to society, and working for your pay. Much that can be learned from people who have worked for many, many, years and still know how to smile.
Simple Sensibilities 