Dear Teen

Dear Teen,

This blog is for you!! I write to your parents over at Dear Parent and, once kids are a certain age, they either have or have not internalized the values that their parents taught. If their parents did not teach proper behavior, you are still accountable for your actions. Unless you grew up in an isolated cave, you had teachers, coaches, the influence of older relatives, perhaps some kind of religious instruction. So you aren't off the hook!

Especially if you are employed. I had the idea for this blog as I was being checked out at the grocery store this morning...

Bag boy: I want to go home early.

Older cashier: What time did you come in?

Bag Boy: 11 o'clock.

Me, glancing at my watch, noted that it was 12:34. He'd been at work for an hour and 34 minutes!

Cashier: Mr. Boss says no one is going home early today.

Bag boy: I'm so tired of Mr. Boss! I hate coming to work.

He is tired of Mr. Boss, and he hates going to work! At about 17 years old, he is too young to be tired of anything. And if he hates coming to work and is tired of his boss, he should do us all a favor and stay home. Let someone who appreciates the opportunity to work have the job.

And another thing, Dear Teen: Don't you realize that we customers have ears? Do you not realize that we can hear what you say? What if Mr. Boss is our neighbor, or relative? What if we customers want our groceries bagged without listening to complaints? You're there to work, to provide service. To my "thank you" for bagging the groceries, you didn't say a word. Not even the ungracious "uh huh," or "no problem."

Dear Teen, just so you'll know, the proper response is a simple "You're welcome!" A smile would be nice.

And, in case you didn't get the memo, here it is again: You do not deserve a paycheck just for showing up. It's called a job for a reason.

Love,

Anonymous Parent