Guest Post: Wearing the Wrong-Colored Pants

When I was a teenager in high school my parents did not really want me to work. I am still not sure why. I do not think that served me well. Finally as my senior year drew to a close I convinced them to allow me.

I went to an all day hiring event, for a new, all-you-can- eat, serve-yourself type restaurant. A place that had a salad bar and dessert center where people go up to get all their own food items.

I applied to either tend tables, clean the food stations or work the cashier. I guess because I was a teen with no experience I was given the job tending tables.

My would-be new boss interviewed me. He approved my paperwork. He set my new hours. He told me to arrive a bit early for my first day. He also told me to wear khaki pants. If I had heard that word before I did not know what it meant. I definitely did not have any in my wardrobe. This meant a trip to the (thrift) store to buy what I soon found out were tan slacks.

I arrived all eager and fresh-faced my first day and the drama began. My new boss sneered at me and told me I was wearing the wrong colored pants.

I was supposed to have on black pants with black shoes. The cashier was the only one allowed to wear khaki pants. Someone had made a mistake.

All the new employees were hired in one on one in semiprivate interviews. I didn’t hear what was said to anyone else about their future work with the company.

Nevertheless I suffered through the first day with the wrong color pants.

It put my boss and I at odds for the rest of my time as an employee. He just never looked at me with the respect I deserved, although there were no other problems with my performance.

Months later the building needed renovations. Workers were being let go or re assigned to other locations in town. I really wanted to keep my job. But I was laid off. 

I moved on and dusted off my feet. My next job and boss were amazing!

Maybe I learned about grace working for a man who showed me less than I desired.