I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

A food runner, who is 16, gave his notice last week.  

Tonight, was his last night.

He’s a sweet kid, but his job, school, life were too much for him to keep up with.  

So, he made the decision to leave the job.

He was nervous when he told me.  

I assured him that he was not the first person to give notice, and although I’d be sad to see him go, and he’d be missed, and we wanted nothing but the best for him

At the end of his shift tonight, he came up to say his final goodbye.

I stuck out my hand to shake his.  

He offered me his and we shook.

I told him he’d be missed, but ended by saying can we do that again?

I stuck out my hand, and said as he reached for mine, to grab it firmly this time.

The repeat handshake was great.  

I told him to always grip the hand firmly and look the person he is shaking with in the eye.

I said to remember this for today, and for every hand he shakes from now on.

It was a very sweet moment.

He then went down the line with the other food runners practicing his new found handshake.

This is not the first time I’ve had this conversation with a 16 year.  

Both boys and girls.  

I hope he carries this with him.