hello, welcome to...

 hello, welcome to...

                

            

 For the first time since I was 12 years old, I am not:  Serving sandwiches and nickel bottles of Coca Cola to mostly older ladies at a church-sponsored bingo game.

 Delivering newspapers in my neighborhood. The Indy paper was 30 cents a week, 50 cents including the Sunday edition.

 Pouring A & W Root Beer or soft drinks for customers who wanted curbside service at mom and dad's drive-in restaurants.  

 Making family and friends feel like they had to buy Christmas Cards which were a fundraiser like World's Finest Chocolate Bars.  They were $3.99 per dozen and I earned fifty cents for each package of 12 I sold. 

 Selling men's clothing at William H. Block Department Store.  I earned a dollar an hour and was paid in cash in an envelope like the kind banks use today when returning cash to a customer.   All odd numbers of dollars were paid in silver dollars. 

 Flipping burgers every Saturday at the lunch counter at Hooks Drug Store in Glendale Mall in Indianapolis.  People lined up two and three deep at the 12 seat counter.  Most commonly heard request?  Hold the pickles, please.

 Inspecting film at Shell Oil Company's Educational Film Library.

 Operating a camera at WTTV-TV, Indy..  I recall one all night recording session in which we filmed commercials of a card playing Bridge expert.  I found out 50 years later, the second camera operator on the project was  the man I replaced at Franklin Central High School, Jim Johnson.

  HUH?  What's up with that?

 Constructing and painting scenes and sets and filming commercials at two other television stations 

 Acting in Civic Theater productions in any one of three cities  My favorite play in which I appeared was The Subject was Roses, Frank Gilroy's 1964 Pulitzer Prize winning play.  I played the part of the son, Timmy Cleary, returning to his family after WWII.

 Behind the mic at one of six radio stations.  It was exciting to interview the rich and famous. 

 Doing voice overs for six different television stations in various cities.

 Teaching at the high school level in my Encore Performance after retiring from broadcasting.  The outstanding students who crossed my path are some of my most memorable life experiences.  I am honored by those who still keep in touch with me. 

 And, lastly, Cashiering at a car wash as my second Encore Performance. The owners, the Thomas Brothers, Eli and Mike, were the source, root, and, cause, of so many, unforgettable moments and laughs. 

 My work status has been in retirement mode since the end of January of this year.  My thinking about this state of idleness is mixed because I have always thought some form of work was a contributor to my overall well being.  I am doing what it takes to readjust.

  Gone are the tangibles and intangibles: extra money,  early morning alarms, and, a little motivation.  

  To be fair, I am somewhat limited as to the kind and amount of work I can do.  It is not really a level playing field for any future employer. 

  I was mulling all of this over one day last week as I walked into a Walmart Super Center and was greeted by an elderly man who welcomed me.  That was his sole function.  Greeting me and others who walked into the store.  The role seemed ideal, even though the job, not the person, has been  the object of many jokes.

  Many retail establishments now greet customers upon entering the store, but, Walmart was the first that I can recall to do so.  

  I was meandering down the bread aisle trying to decide if I should buy another loaf of Keto bread or go for Wonder Bread that builds bodies 8 ways, when my mind drifted back 50 years. 

  Thinking about the Greeter I just saw, and, who the first person in that role might have been way back when, occupied my mind.  I imagined one of Sam's then recently retired uncles approaching  him and asking for parttime work.  

  Just maybe, the whole Greeter thing started this way:

  Sam?  My favorite nephew, I need a job and I hope you can help me.

   Oh, hi, uncle.  I heard you retired.  That's good.  It is time you took it easy, Sam said.

  Yes, but, to tell you the truth, I am a little bored. I would really like something parttime.  I haven't had a retail job, but, at my age and limitations, I'll take what I can get.  That's why I am here.

  I see, Sam smiled.  Well, what can you do?  I am sure I have something for you. 

  I can do many things.  Lots of experience in these old bones.  

  I'm sure you are right, uncle, Sam agreed.  Well, let's see.  We always need people to stock merchandise on shelves. That seems to be a never ending battle.  I can never find enough people for that job.  

  No, no, I couldn't do that kind of work.  Something lighter, you know, stocking shelves sounds like heavy work.

  Oh, well, how about unloading trucks when they come in? Sam asked.  They are here three days a week and that would give you about 24 hours a week.  

  Oh, no, I couldn't do any lifting, nephew.  I don't want to strain myself at my age.

  Hmm, no trucks, no stocking of shelves.  Let me think, Sam said out loud.  You know one job I always need filled and that's a cashier.  It is so hard to find people I trust to take in cash.  It is a constant turnover and I could really use you for that.

  Cashier?  Hmmm, I don't know..... do they have to stand on their feet for eight hours?

  Well, yes, there's not much time to sit down, we keep very busy around here, Sam replied.

  That pretty much lets that out because I have sore feet.  I mean really sore feet. No, no, I need something where I can take it easy and still get the job done.

  Something to take it easy, Sam murmured.  Well, I do need someone to go around and straighten merchandise on shelves.  That might be just the ticket for you.  It's not hard and you can move around a bit.

  Would I have to walk all around the whole store?  This place is huge!

  Yes, you would, Sam nodded his head affirmatively.  You would be going back and forth from department to department.  Uh, is that a problem too?

  There's that sore feet thing again, see?  No, I need something more passive.  Something where I don't have to be on my feet.

  Well, I can understand how that would be a hindrance, then.  Hey!  I've got it, Sam said enthusiastically.  Customer Service.  I am looking for a parttime person I can rely on to make good decisions with people who have a problem or a return of merchandise and you can sit down when no one needs service.  Would that appeal to you?

  But, would I be working by myself or with others?  I don't like working next to other people.  I need my space, nephew.  You know how it is, I'm sure.

   I see, that does pose a problem because there would be two or three of you at a time back there.  Well, uncle, there is only one job left.  

  Okay, what is it?  

  I wasn't quite ready for this yet, but, I have been thinking of a new position for the store, and, you might be the right person for it.  

  Well, tell me about it.  What would I be doing?  

  Mind you now, it is just in the, Thinking about it, stage, Sam warned.  I just don't know for sure if you would be a good fit, Sam hedged.

  What's your idea?  I can probably do it as long as I don't have to lift, carry, walk, do manual labor, or, hang with other folks.

  My goal is really new to all of retail.  Okay.  Here it is.  I have had this thought of putting someone at the front door to greet customers as they come into the store, Sam explained. 

  What.  You mean like, say, Hello?  That's it?  That's your new idea?  

  Yessir! Sam exclaimed.  Just a, Hello. Nothing more, oh, maybe a, Welcome to Walmart, to go with the Hello, but, that's it. 

   Just, Hello?  You mean I couldn't talk to people?  What if I know them?  It wouldn't be natural not to ask about their kids. 

  Uh, no, we want them to walk further into the store and see the merchandise.  You know, look at something and buy it, maybe walk all the way to the back of the store, Sam detailed.  I wouldn't want you talking to someone and miss six others who walked in without a, Hello. 

  But, your Aunt Millie says I have great people skills.  I could use that to the max.

 Yes, yes, I am sure that is true, but, this job I am thinking about is just say, Hello, Welcome to Walmart, and they are on their way to shopping, Sam reiterated.   

  Geez, I don't know.  Would I have to stand?

  Stand?  I haven't thought that far ahead yet, Sam mused.  Why?  Do you want to sit?  I guess we could provide a chair or director's chair for you to sit down.

  What about in the winter months?

  The winter months?  What about the winter time? Sam asked.

  Well, I have this arthritis thing going and cold weather doesn't help it.  Would I have to stand by the door in cold months?

  Couldn't you wear a coat?  You are making this really tough, uncle, Sam said irritably.  Maybe you need a job at a library or something like that.

  No, no!  I am the right guy.  I guess I could wear a coat.  Really, though, nephew, this Hello job seems kind of mindless and robotic. 

  But, if you do it right, you will leave a positive thought with every customer, Sam pointed out.  And, positive thoughts lead to profits!

  Yeah, I can see that.  You don't have to think about these things when you drive a forklift for 46 years.  Hey, I've got an idea.  Maybe it would help my self esteem if I have a title to go along with the job like my old job.  I was Chief Forklift Operator.  You know, just a little perk like that?

  A title? Sam said frustrated but seeing his uncle's logic.  Okay, okay, how about calling you a Greeter?  You would be the official store Greeter.  How does that sound?

  Wonderful!  I have lived 65 years, worked all my life, raised four kids, sent them to college, paid off my mortgage, drive a nice car, your Aunt Millie has a new car, we pay our bills on time, we go to church every Sunday, we travel when we want, and, now, I am a Greeter!  I love this country.  Retirement is good!  When do I start saying, Hello?

  Coming up:  a conversation with a motorcycle outlaw turned Evangelist; a Legacy #2; oddities, observations, & ?'s, and; lunch with the George Brothers. 

  And, finally.  Walmart founder and CEO, Sam Walton implemented store greeters nationally in the  1980s.  Depending upon the size of the store, Walmart Greeters are known as People Greeters in small stores, and, Asset Protection Customer Hosts in larger facilities.   

  HUH?  What's up with that?