General Discussion

BelgianMadCow

(5,379 posts) Thu Dec 5, 2013, 07:23 PM Dec 2013

Here's a weird yet pleasant and interesting shopping habit of mine

Everywhere I shop, I ask people at the cash register or working there whether they think their pay is decent. I tell them I want to know, because I don't want my money to support anything but decent working conditions & wages. When they react somewhat favorably to the question itself, I ask them how much they make.

The last time I did this, was yesterday. I went to eat with my 2 sons in a hamburger restaurant called Quick. It's a chain in Europe. I have to admit I'm not particularly proud of going there; I do try to cook homemade meals from scratch almost every day of the week.

So I asked the guy who had served me, who was listed on the receipt as student 62, whether he was happy with his wage. He had been friendly before, and he openly replied he was. So how much then, I asked. Well, he said, it starts at 8 euro per hour (10.87 dollar), but it goes quickly up to 11 euro (14.95 dollar) after a couple years. He wasn't working as a student at this point, apparently. I said that I thought that was somewhat decent, and at least not as abysmal as in the US, where people in his line of work earn minimum wage, and that I was glad with his reply.

Of course, there are people that don't want to talk about it, and I never press the point. But so far I've had mainly very interesting encounters - not in the least bit because you get to see the surprise when they realise you care.

5 replies

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Here's a weird yet pleasant and interesting shopping habit of mine (Original Post) BelgianMadCow Dec 2013 OP

I'd be very careful about doing this on this side of the Atlantic. Jackpine Radical Dec 2013 #1

Good point BelgianMadCow Dec 2013 #2

better would be to do it away from their workplace JI7 Dec 2013 #3

A couple more examples BelgianMadCow Dec 2013 #4

sorry, i assumed you were in the US JI7 Dec 2013 #5

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)

1. I'd be very careful about doing this on this side of the Atlantic.

Reply to BelgianMadCow (Original post)

Thu Dec 5, 2013, 07:31 PM

Dec 2013

If an employee is overheard saying something negative about the workplace (think MallWart, McDeathburger) by a supervisor or reported by a co-worker, it could cost their job.

Billionaire John Menard is infamous for wandering around his stores incognito trying to get employees to say something compromising and then loudly firing them on the spot.

BelgianMadCow

(5,379 posts)

2. Good point

Reply to Jackpine Radical (Reply #1)

Thu Dec 5, 2013, 07:38 PM

Dec 2013

But, I wouldn't get to that side of the Atlantic. Once was, in the 80s. Said to my dad, it's brilliant here. But the differences are so large between the rich and the poor. I was 10.
Now, I'm rather sure I don't even have to try, you can guess why. And my dad doesn't even want to, after his recent visits, he says it's become a police state (and he's waaaay to the right of me and worked for a US company).

I don't make a whole scene about it, just ask them quietly. But you have a point, in this day & age of surveillance.

JI7

(89,249 posts)

3. better would be to do it away from their workplace

Reply to BelgianMadCow (Original post)

Thu Dec 5, 2013, 07:40 PM

Dec 2013

you could get them in trouble or they will more likely just give whatever answer to keep their job if you do it there.

BelgianMadCow

(5,379 posts)

4. A couple more examples

Reply to JI7 (Reply #3)

Thu Dec 5, 2013, 07:51 PM

Dec 2013

I asked at Aldi, and the person not just said she was happy, but also that they have very good side benefits like insurance. When I inquired about Aldi spying on its workers, she shrugged and said aren't we spied on everywhere.

Asked at Carrefour, and the person was making 2000 euro.

Asked at De Standaard (chain of bookshops), and the person said she was very happy, but that that maybe was because Standaard has both "own" and franchise stores, that one was a franchise, and they have more freedom to set wages.

Asked at Panos, got into a lengthy positive discussion about why one needs to be supportive of local businesses.

So I had the feeling that I'm getting genuine answers. But indeed, I should be aware of the surroundings. Still, even if they answer "like they should", they still know someone cares. Asking random people away from their workplace isn't very easy, but I agree it would be better. I didn't think this all the way through, or I'm being naive, perhaps.

JI7

(89,249 posts)

5. sorry, i assumed you were in the US

Reply to BelgianMadCow (Reply #4)

Thu Dec 5, 2013, 08:03 PM

Dec 2013

i should have read your thread more carefully.

yeah, i would be more likely to believe what people there were saying than workers in the US just because of how our countries are different on these issues.

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