When Retails Workers Aren’t Organically Good For Retail

I’m working with my coworker in the produce section, putting out some fresh deliveries. My coworker doesn’t interact with the customers often, because things always happen when they do. Today, a customer approaches him, carrying a carton of milk and some organic vegetables.

Customer: “How can I tell if an item is organic? I don’t want to waste my money on something that’s just been labeled for the price.”

Coworker: “Are you kidding? It’ll be slapped all over the packaging to justify the higher price. Companies like to advertise that louder than a puppy discovering bubble wrap.”

Customer: “Really? That’s ridiculous.”

Coworker: “You’ll see it on the front, the back, and probably even on the side, just in case you didn’t catch it the first time. They want you to know, really know, that you’re making a ‘premium’ purchase.”

Customer: “Ugh, I guess I’ll just look for the words ‘organic’ in big letters.”

Coworker: “If you’re not sure, just follow the trail of guilt-laden packaging; it’s practically begging you to feel better about paying 30% more for a cucumber.”

My manager overheard my coworker and almost gave him a warning, but he shot back and said:

Coworker: “The packaging is covered in the words ‘Organic’ everywhere I said they were, and the organic cucumber really is 30% more expensive than the regular, so where did I misrepresent at any point?”

The manager realized no lie was told, so didn’t take it any further, but did suggest that my coworker be “a little less honest” in the future.