I'd be embarrassed if my kid pulled a stunt like this at work

"This teen was 'doing his job' at a Coles checkout. It's just not good enough."

I just saw a mum's viral rant about a teen's appalling act in his job at Coles, and all I can say is - that better not ever be my kid.

I'd be totally mortified if he behaved so rudely, disrespectfully, selfishly, at work that a stranger who witnessed it felt compelled to call it out publicly.

I'd also feel that I'd failed as a parent, because the teen displayed a total lack of the values I think are the most important in life, which I've worked so hard to instill in my own son.

So, what did he do that was so bad? 

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Nama and her son. Image: supplied

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"It's a generational thing"

According to Aussie mum Mahlea's TikTok, she witnessed a teenaged Coles employee at the self-checkout show an appalling attitude to an 80-ish old man who was unsure how to operate the system.

"He would have been like 15 years old, I think this kid was. This old man was like, ‘Oh, I need a bag. Could I please grab a bag?’ And the kid goes ‘Yeah, they’re over there’," she says, imitating his disinterested tone.

"Yeah, okay it’s not his job to go and get everyone a bag and bring it over to them, but you know, this man is 80 — or however old he is."

She adds that after "shuffling over" to grab a bag, he then asked the teen what to do.

"And the kid walks up to him and goes, ‘You scan the barcode’ ... I wanted to be like, ‘HELP HIM’."

Mahlea explains that she was frozen in shock in the moment, but then helped him retrieve his walking stick. The way she explains it to viewers is that it's "a generational thing."

Imagining this man's experience makes me feel so sad - and angry. But not just angry that he was treated like that; also frustrated that no one seems to have taught this kid to respect people, especially the elderly.

And that's a failure that impacts everyone.

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"It's not bloody good enough"

We can't presume this teen has parents/caregivers who would have taken the time to teach him tolerance, empathy, kindness, common courtesy. But it's obvious that in his life, he's rarely seen it role-modelled, because otherwise, those behaviours would have come naturally to him in that moment.

That's a huge disservice to the community, as the clip shows. To do this to a man who's (presumably) paid his dues over decades and was vulnerable in a new situation; it's bloody not good enough.

But this is why it's happened: not every kid has someone who helps them navigate life and is thinking ahead for them. I've made a lot of mistakes, but failing to teach my son to be a good person isn't one of them.

You see, I've taught my own teen that nothing short of respect and kindness is acceptable in his behaviour, not only because it's 'the right thing to do', but also because it will make life better for him.

Acts of service, generosity of spirit, giving back, helping; when performed, those things feel good. They are part of what makes a satisfying and fulfilling life. Not laziness and selfishness.

(Not to mention that it makes it more likely that at some point you'll be treated similarly.)

That's what the kind of life I want for my son, and he can only achieve that if he understands the value of these acts. So I'd like to think I've taught, and role-modelled those for him. He should hold doors open, give up seats, consider if he can make the life of anyone who's around him in public easier. 

I want him to be that person.

And, if we're to go by the constant online complaints about experiencing the opposite, like Mahlea's, it's something more adults need to actively think about teaching the children they are raising, and the young minds they're making an impression on.

The standard must be higher, otherwise it's just not bloody good enough - for anyone.

Originally published as I'd be embarrassed if my kid pulled a stunt like this at work