It’s A Fool-Time Job

(I work back in the meat counter and have several coworkers around. One is washing dishes, but three others are standing in the corner loudly goofing off. The coworker washing dishes is another part-time employee like myself, while the coworkers goofing off are full-time employees. I walk out of the cooler and notice a customer at the counter who doesn’t appear to have been helped yet.)

Me: “Sir, is there anything I can help you with today?”

Customer: “No, thank you.”

(The customer smiles and gestures towards my coworker washing dishes.)

Customer: “He already asked once. I have to say you two have been the politest guys back here.”

Me: “We do try. Let us know if you need anything.”

(I return to filling various items in the case. Suddenly, one of the full-timers notices the customer.)

Coworker: *to me* “That customer needs help! God, you guys never pay attention! You need to help the d*** customers! I don’t know why [boss] even pays you guys!”

Customer: *to my coworker* “Excuse me? You three have been standing around goofing off and didn’t even acknowledge I was here. BOTH of these two gentlemen asked me if I needed anything and I didn’t. If [boss] shouldn’t pay someone, it’s YOU… and I will be telling him!”

(And the customer did—turns out he was my boss’s brother-in-law.)