Vent - local grocery store @ 278/61

Captain Rhett Butler

Captain Rhett Butler

Driving Instructor
Kroger employees used to be clean cut, shaven, and well groomed. Now it appears any scallywag out there can work at Kroger and look like a homeless bum. Be it the guys running grocery carts in out of the rain or even some of the other crew. Long hair, scruffy beard, dreadlocks, ponytails, covered in tattoos and gauges, ..etc... When I was a teen, I worked at Kroger, A & P and even a couple of other places and a clean shave and haircut were mandatory. We even had to wear a necktie. Guys weren't allowed to have pony tails or ear rings, wear shorts, etc. Why the shift?

Also, twice this week, I've noticed a "homeless vet" holding a sign up by the entrance to Kroger/Taco Bell. He was sitting on the guard rail just needing spare change. Wonder if the po-po will drive by and send him down the road? Remember when John Rambo was arrested for vagrancy? Maybe our police chief doesn't want a Rambo situation here in Dallas?
 
I started my working life in a grocery store and you didn't see that. These days it seems as though employers can't insist on any type of grooming or dress code for their employees. of course there are more people these days who are drawn to the "weirdo" look. When we lived in Ohio in the 70's, Marge Shots (sp), owner of the Cincinnati Reds, would not allow her players to have facial hair and they had to be cleanly groomed. If you didn't like it, you weren't required to be on the team.

I have NO problem with that at all. I have worked for the last 35 in agencies with grooming policies. Especially in law enforcement it is important. Last year when I spent 6 months in the hiring process for Hiram Chief, my wife asked me what the first thing I would do if given the job, which I was assured I would have gotten if the city manager hadn't already made up his mind, I told her that those officers would be given 30 days to lose the beards in compliance with the new grooming policy I would be implementing.

If out and about in Hiram, you may note that the officers still have their beards which looks completely unprofessional to me. I'm sure they went crying to the city manager because I was told that the new chief intended to do the same thing I was going to do. It's probably for the best that I didn't get the job since it appears the chief is only a figure head under the city manager who can obviously do no wrong.

But I digress. People these days seem to think the more casual and strange as you can get is in fashion. Even in our churches. If people showed up at parties and weddings dressed like they do in church, they would be shamed back to their car and have to go home.
 
I think the biggest reason it's tolerated now is because employers are more concerned about finding employees who can at least show up for their scheduled shift. First step - show up on time. Second step - show up well groomed. They're obviously still on step 1.
 
So... my employees and I have a game we play: Homeless or Hipster

Truly most times it comes down to smell and shoes..

Often we can't smell them because they are too far away. But shoes are often the give away.

Funny story. I had a guy come into the hotel to use the restroom. He smelled clean and his clothes were not dirty, but had an heir of homelessness to them. Facial hair. Sort of dreds unkempt hair. So I said, our bathroom is around the corner, just use your room key.

That usually gets rid of non guest/homeless.

The guy reaches in his pocket, pulls out a badge and said I'm undercover, can I use the bathroom?

I said of course! Then asked, "Are you cleaning up the drug dealers in the hotel across the street?" He said, "Off the record, yes. But don't tell anyone."

I sent him off with some cookies and a cup of coffee too.
 
I agree things like customer service, pride in your job, class, professional appearance have all but disappeared at many businesses. For full disclosure I sport Van Dyke style facial hair and have for many years. It is trimmed and clean with the rest of the face clean shaven. I do not have a problem with well manicured facial hair but scraggly, thin or unkempt does not strike me as professional. I am no fan of the Grizzly Adams heavy beard unless you are a logger, mountain man or only work on December 24th. I guess if you do not deal with the public or work in food services you can do what you want within the employers guidelines but it does not make it any more appealing. As for the scraggly hipster look I find it ridiculous without much merit as to why you would have such a mess on your face. Reminds me of tats where it used to be you were on the edge of society a rebel of sorts. Well if everyone else is doing it you are pretty much a sheep without much edge to you. I won't even address dress code that would take too long. How many NFL/NCAA coaches wear coats and ties anymore? Tom Landry and Vince Lombardi wore jackets and ties by golly and that is how it should be. GC my brother was in public service both LE and Fire. I agree an officer should be clean shaven with short hair and sharply dressed. The only exception is undercover work. There is a department on Live PD I believe Salinas, Ca. where the officers are allowed very weak full facial beards. None of them look professional they just look like they are too lazy to shave. I raise hell about it and the wife bans me from watching and commenting.
 
Grey Colson said:
I have NO problem with that at all. I have worked for the last 35 in agencies with grooming policies. Especially in law enforcement it is important. Last year when I spent 6 months in the hiring process for Hiram Chief, my wife asked me what the first thing I would do if given the job, which I was assured I would have gotten if the city manager hadn't already made up his mind, I told her that those officers would be given 30 days to lose the beards in compliance with the new grooming policy I would be implementing.
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I am in FULL agreement about this. Polk County has started allowing officers to have facial hair, and I just think it looks unprofessional in a uniform. However, I really like their chief, and my opinion doesn't matter, so....

Grey Colson said:
If out and about in Hiram, you may note that the officers still have their beards which looks completely unprofessional to me. I'm sure they went crying to the city manager because I was told that the new chief intended to do the same thing I was going to do. It's probably for the best that I didn't get the job since it appears the chief is only a figure head under the city manager who can obviously do no wrong.
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I seriously detest the politics that come with working in law enforcement.
 
I went again to Kroger today, and the kid pushing grocery carts in from the parking lot had rainbow colored hair and was wearing ear rings like a woman (but it was a dude). Seriously, it was like he was "advertising".

When I was a teen working at various places, I had to be clean shaven, necktie, dress pants (no jeans or shorts)....Society has hit rock bottom for sure.
 
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