How to Let Older Men Be Useful
Bestowing the gift of purpose and dignity.
One summer, I worked as the lone car cleaner for an Avis rental franchise. This one was nestled in the back of a BP gas station and never had more than 15 vehicles at one time.
Despite the heat and humidity of Kentucky summers, I found the job pleasant enough. Most cars needed only a quick vacuum of the interior and then I would run it through the car wash and, if it wasn’t reserved for that day, drive it to the parking lot across the street.
You learn the value of AC in that environment. You also learn how low-quality Chevy Cavaliers felt as soon as you sat down in one.
These types of locally-owned businesses attract good ol’ boys like a bar at happy hour. These are friends of the owner, typically retired or on lunch break. It sometimes functions as a mini men’s club.
One such man was an older gentleman in his 70s who helped move the cars around. Sometimes he would drive me to one of the larger corporations in the area to pick up a rental return.