Sometimes We All Just Need A Little Extra Help
A young customer, maybe around sixteen or seventeen, approaches the counter. It is mid-afternoon on a weekday, so we’re not currently hugely busy.
Young Man: “Hi. If I… like… buy the dollar burger, would it be cool if I sit in the corner for an hour or so to fill out some forms?”
Me: “I don’t see why not.”
The young man hands over an eclectic collection of loose change and has just enough for the dollar burger plus tax. He then goes over to a quiet corner of the place and starts filling out what appears to be a stack of forms as thick as a Bible!
After an hour or so, he’s still diligently on it, and I feel like he might need a break.
Me: “Hi, would you like a coffee? On the house?”
Young Man: “Are you allowed to do that?”
Me: “We keep the pot going all day; it won’t make a difference if you get a cup.”
Young Man: “Oh, my God, thank you! Yes, please! My eyes are getting heavy over here.”
Me: “If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing over here?”
Young Man: “College applications and job applications.”
Me: “Aren’t those done online these days?”
Young Man: *Looking a little embarrassed* “I don’t have a computer… or Internet.”
Stupid me, putting my foot in it. How privileged of me to just assume everyone has access to the Internet.
Young Man: “Yeah, I’m going to need some kind of scholarship or it’s just not happening for me, so I have to apply everywhere and really stand out. I can’t do these at home as my younger brothers are… a lot. And I need a job in the meantime to help out at home while I figure all this out. I appreciate you letting me stay.”
Me: “Seriously, it’s no bother! Take all the time you need! I’ll be back with that coffee.”
I get him his coffee, and he continues to diligently attack those forms.
A little later I step aside to deal with something, and a couple comes in to look over the menu. I don’t notice they’re there until I hear them talking among themselves.
Other Customer #1: “Hmm, I don’t know if I should get the grilled chicken or the burger.”
Other Customer #2: “I only have $5 and want to be healthier, so…”
I’m about to step back to help them when I hear the young man speak up.
Young Man: “The grilled chicken is 168 calories less than the burger, so that would be the healthier choice based on calories alone. They’re also the same price if you get the combo, which is still just under $5 even with tax. If you get them separately, then the grilled chicken costs 79 cents more.”
Other Customer #1: “Oh, wow, thanks. That really helps! You the manager?”
Young Man: “Uh… no. Just a customer.”
Other Customer #1: “Oh, just figured since you know so much and you’re sat there doing the paperwork.”
The customers make their well-informed purchase and then one of them calls over my actual manager.
Other Customer #1: “You need to hire that man to be a manager!”
They explain what happened to my manager, who laughs and agrees it’s a good story. I then tell him a bit more about who the young man is and why he’s here. My manager heads straight over to him and introduces himself.
Manager: “How do you know our menu so well?”
Young Man: “I’ve actually been coming here for years to do my homework. I kinda… have it memorized by now.”
Manager: “Would you like a job? I mean, just until you get into college?”
Young Man: *Exciteable* “Oh, my God! Yes!” *Calming down* “Uh… I mean, yes, please?
That young man worked diligently and perfectly all summer. After two weeks and his first paycheck, he brought in his three younger brothers (cute, but yeah… a lot) and proudly introduced his “work friends” to them before spoiling them with staff-discounted food. Apparently, the three of them had never “eaten so good.”
Also, he didn’t get a single scholarship offer after that summer.
He got three.
This story is part of our Highest-Voted-Inspirational-Stories-Of-2024-(so far!) roundup! This is the last story in the roundup, but we have plenty of others you might enjoy!
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