Brother Bother

(I am a manager at a fast food chicken place. My brother is also a team member at the same restaurant. We wear distinctively different uniforms so that customers know who the managers are. A little backstory: My brother’s best friend died suddenly when they were 18. This event happens on the one-year anniversary of his best friend’s death. My brother is working the shift after me.)

Me: “[Brother]! I haven’t seen you in a while. I know today is really hard for you, but you know I love you and you can get through it.”

Brother: “Thanks. Love ya, too.”

(I give my brother a hug while standing in front of the counter where customers come up to order.)

Me: “Okay, I’m going to finish eating and go home, but have a good shift.”

Brother: “Yeah, see ya.”

(I went to sit back down in the dining room to finish my dinner when a customer walks up to my table. This isn’t unusual, as a lot of customers recognize my shirt as being a manager uniform and have questions or comments, etc.)

Customer: “Excuse me, but what you just did was extremely inappropriate.”

Me: “I’m sorry, what?”

Customer: “I don’t care if you have relationships with your coworkers but you shouldn’t show affection to each other while working. Especially since you are a manager and he isn’t. It’s just highly inappropriate that you would fraternize with someone you are in charge of.”

Me: “Ma’am, I’m sorry that this has offended you but that’s my brother. It’s the anniversary of his best friend’s death and I was telling him I was sorry and expressing that I know it’s hard for him.”

Customer: *goes bright red and mumbles a little* “Well, you still should not do that in front of customers. It’s inappropriate to hug.”

Me:. “…”

(The customer walked out and I went up and told my brother that apparently we were being inappropriate. He laughed which was good because he needed some comic relief on that day.)