Buster vs the paying public

You’ve all seen the Che tee shirt, right? The iconic shot of beret-wearing Che Guevara’s face proudly worn by many who likely have no idea who the guy actually was.

The other afternoon, working his summer job making steaming lattes, frappes and other delectable beverages for people willing to spend an enormous amount on coffee and coffee-related-confections in this woeful and nearly depressed economy, Buster found himself facing – for too many times in one day – a coffee lover wearing Che on his chest.

Buster was bored steaming milk, and he decided to have a little fun.

“I like your shirt,” he said to the customer, as he handed him his coffee.

The customer gave a thumbs up sign, “Hey, righteous!”

Buster handed him his change, smiled and leaned back a bit, saying, “But I think I like mine better.”

And he lifted up his work shirt to reveal this one:

“Enjoy your coffee,” Buster said.

The customer, not pleased, puffed out his cheeks, left the store.

Buster’s boss, who likes him because he has a good work ethic, and will work 60 hours a week, if he’s needed, shook his head at Buster and said, “okay for a summer job, but you’re clearly not cut out to work with the public.”

When he told me the story later, I dutifully told him – as a parent – that he should not provoke the customers, and I asked him if he still thought he might go into politics, someday.

“Maybe someday,” he said. “Depends on who wins in the next 20 years, the Che shirts, or the No-Che’s.”

I think we’re all curious about that contest.