My oldest son, Dominic Jr. and his three siblings came to live with me when he was in high school.
I noticed that he was kind of shy; a little introverted. He did not look you in the eye and his hand shake was a little weak.
I learned, early in life, to give a firm handshake and look them “in the eye”.
The decision was made that Dominic should get a part-time job after school. Each day he came home from school, I asked him if he looked;,let alone found something. Each day came the same answer, “Dad, I’ll do it tomorrow”.
While shopping at our local Piggly Wiggly Supermarket, I asked the manager if they were looking for “bag boys”. ( I guess today they would be called “cashier assistants” or “check out attendants” or something non generic and prestigious.) His reply, “We’re always looking for good help.”
That night at dinner I told Dom to go the see the manager at the Piggly Wiggly and get the job.
Next day at dinner I asked Dom, “Did you get the job at Piggly Wiggly”. He answered, “They aren’t hiring at this time”.
“What, that’s impossible. I talked to him and he told me they were hiring, You should have been a shoe in for the job.”
“What did you tell him when you went into the store to apply?”
“Dad, I called on the phone and they said they were not hiring.”
“Dom, I told you to go and see the manager. He was expecting you and you had the job locked up.”
This incident solidified my inclination that Dom was truly introverted and didn’t know how or want to get any job.
The next night at dinner I announced, “Dom, I have a full proof method for you to get a job.” The other kids were all anxiously waiting to here what came next. They thought the whole episode was a lot of fun at Dom’s expense.
“Dom, tomorrow after school, I want you to walk down to the end of our street, where all those little shops are located and go into each one of them. Then announce to the owner, “Hi, my name is Dominic Scacci and I live only 5 minutes from here. I’;m looking for a part-time job. I’ll work hard, always be on time and I refuse to take a paycheck.”
The following night at dinner, came the never ending question. “Dom, did you get a job.'”
“:Dad, I have a job. I’m working at Little Caesar’s Pizza.”
Wow, it worked Dom had a job and would never look back. He’s been a hard worker ever since.
He did learn the art of the hand shake.