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View Full Version : A sign of the unemployment times, a personal story



Bob98SR5
04-19-2009, 08:52 PM
Man, this really crushed me this weekend.

My wife and I went to King Taco this weekend to enjoy our favorite Mexican food place. We were sitting on the outside patio when "one of those candy/toy guys" comes to our table to drop off a candy/toy. I instantly recognized him. He was an employee of one of the tortilla factories that we buy tortillas from.

Now you say, "Oh said...but big deal, lots of people are unemployed". Well this guy is deaf and cannot utter many words. I couldn't recall his name, but he was one of those guys who would always greet you, say hi, shake your hand, etc. A guy, despite his handicap, worked his ass off. He was a box assembler. I said to him "Are you from (company name)? (company name), right?" So he recognized me, we shook hands, etc. I gave him some money, but I wanted to give him more...but as stupid as this seems, I wasn't quite sure if it was him or not.

I called the owner of the factory who I we've been doing business with for over 11 years now and we had a chat about him. I imagine it was hard to let 30 people go, esp him, but man, I was not happy that they let this guy go. I mean, I'm a capitalist through and through, but couldn't they keep this guy at minimum wage?

After about 10 min talk, my biz bank was across the street too and that's where I was headed afterwards. I returned back to my wife, but he was gone.

We are going to return next week at the same time. Hopefully I will be able to meet up with him.

It just tore my heart apart to see a great guy like this, such a hard worker, etc...as the candy guy.

Sucks.

Bob

oly884
04-19-2009, 09:51 PM
Sad indeed Bob, it is a difficult time, and I couldn't be more thankful now that I have a job (for the moment).

One thing that really calmed me down, and put things in perspective is this: You need to be able to let go of every possession of yours, if you can honestly let go of everything you own, your car, your house, your computer, and still know that you will be ok, then you have nothing to fear.

As must as I'd hate to loose all the things that I've worked so hard to get, if I had to sell my truck, my guns, etc to get by, as long as I had my friends and family with me, I'd be OK.

If this person you met is as strong and a hard worker as he seems to be, then he will do just fine for himself and be a successful man.