A Very Sweet Man...

My son is one of those kids that would have been more than happy to go over and help him. He is only 8 years old. Heck, last night when we were up at the gas station he helped the lady that was working stock the sodas and then he mopped the entire store while she cleaned up the grill area.

Mr Gott is really not that old..He sounds like a wonderful man,however i bet he is in better shape than those young lazy punks....He has probably worked hard all of his life.I agree they should have been doing the clean up,however if you had said something it might have not made him feel to good to make him feel old....I know that my ex husband was in much better shape at 64 then some of those lazy helpers he had working for him.he always said if you want something done right,do it yourself..He probably wanted to make sure no residu was left,since hes the owner and it all falls back on him if someone gets hurt or slips...I do have a great man like this that owns a grocery not far from my home..My Mom was sick one time and she called and needed something,he took time to bring it to her house,and that was so nice...I am afraid that kind of kindness will be gone when this last generation is gone....

That is an odd situation. I wonder why he didn't ask one of the stock boys to clean up the mess. Especially because he is the owner. I say shame on the stock-boys. I'm sure my daughter wouldn't have helped as a customer- and I would not have wanted her to. I might have said something to the stock boys or something to who was with me- I can't believe those young men aren't helping him. What a great owner to work right there with everyone. A real hands on guy!

Hey twoey, mid 60's isn't elderly. I'm mid 50's and I feel middle aged but I'm not going to be elderly for another 25 years.....at least! I would have hassled a couple of the boys to help the boss perhaps if the circumstances warranted it.

The way my three grandkids were raised by my son they would have gone over and offered to help. My grandkids are 10, 12, and 13. I don't think it would have done any good to say anything. If I had the time I would offer to help but from the way you explained this man he would not have accepted it.

I think perhaps this man does not want anybody to help him! Most people in their sixties do not consider themselves elderly! I used to tell people who were turning fifty-five that they were now senior citizens, but they did not like that very much! I consider elderly to mean people in their eighties, nineties, and older! Or it can mean people who are seriously disabled!

a couple of my kids would of helped him but I do thik the bag boys should have done it with out him saying anything to them. and also maybe it makes him feel young! .

Well, Honey I'm one of the older people you are talking about and I would have said something to the employees of the man. I would have told them , in away as to joke or hopefully not to upset them that they need to help him or be doing it instead of him. Since they are not doing anything. Yesterday as my grandson and I were coming back from the grocery store and taking off the trash. Two elderly men had a trailer hailing some huge things they were taking off to scrap. There straps had come undone as they crossed the bride. Traffic was held up on the bridge with several cars. We were the first in our direction. We both got out to help them pick up the things and load them onto the trailer. Although I was only able to pick up 3 or 4. My grandson stayed there long after I got back in the truck. He made sure all pieces were picked up and off the road and the side of the road before we left. The men offered him money and he told them it was no problem, not taking any from them. What got me was all the other cars, no one else got out to help these elderly men. It was apparent they had been there for a bit before we got there. I know it was hot outside but theses were really older people. And you could tell by the way they were walking that what they were doing it was not easy for them. I felt bad for them and I was ashamed they I could not help them anymore than I did, sitting on my butt in the truck while they did all that work.

I would not think to highly about those boys. It is nice though that the manager would be willing to help out. Some ones I have know would not consider doing such trivial work. I think it is good when people are willing to pitch in even if it is not their job. I've known a few like that. Boo to those guys who did not help.

Now that's sad that those bag boys didn't help the owner, better yet, tell him to not to worry about it cause they were going to clean it up for him. My daughter is a great helper even if she does complain alot whenever I ask her to do something. She will help someone else in a heartbeat thou if she knew they needed her help.

I would have been very upset if my son were one of those standing around watching an older man do this but as you say he is always on the go and very active perhaps they have tried to help out before and told not to worry? In real life as well as here online there are many people I know who are guaranteed to put a smile on my face just by being there! xxx

A smile has such an impact on people. If people only knew that a smile can make such a difference and it can bring so much happiness. I know a lady who works in a supermarket who always has a friendly attitude and a beautiful smile.

Isn't it amazing?...I can understand why you just stood there because sometimes we are just at a loss looking at the whole situation. Five boys, and none offered to help. Even if they just asked, and he refused, it would have been better than to just do nothing. What a sad world this is coming to, and this is our future generations. Obviously, Mr. Gott, is from the old school, which is where I'm from. I'm 61, and can see the difference in me, and the young girls I work with. They will not offer a helping hand unless you ask or tell them to do something. Nothing is ever done on their own, and that's how most children are raised today. Long ago, people helped people all the time...it was a pleasure and it made you feel good to help. Today, it's a lost treasure. Maybe you could bake him some cookies, put them in a gift box with a bow, and a card that says "To Mr. Gotts, Who Always Has A Smile For Everyone", Thank You. Or something like that. You might just make his day. You made mine just by starting this discussion on todays youth, and what lies ahead for us. Take care.

Hi, thus far I haven't meet a person like Mr. Gott. I hope I will in the future. If i were in such a situation, I'll surely rebuke those teenagers and ask them to help Mr. Gott. If they dont' listen, I'll do it and set an example to those teenagers!

woww... i can see that he is a really nice guy from your post... he is also a good boss... this is what i call leadership by example... there is not many boss around nowadays that is willing to clean up a spill while the co-workers just standing and watching him doing it... he must have a very big heart to be able to do that... good on you to meet a person like him... take care and have a nice day...

I love a boss who will pitch in and help and has an attitude that nothing is beneath their dignity. Our kids would have offered to help in the situation you mentioned. I would have not offered because if Mr. Gott was cleaning up the spill, he probably wanted to do it. If he didn't want to bother, he would have ordered one of his other employees to do it. I smile when I run into anyone at the store I know. Don't really have one particular person in mind.

I think he is being a bit too nice in letting those bag boys stand around while he did the cleanup. I wonder if he didn't have a little conference with them later over their laziness.

twoey I would have walked over to the 5 young men, and asked them if they didn't feel ashamed, letting the man who pays their salary, not to mention who is probably, 40 years their senior, crawl on the floor while they had their fingers stuck up their hineys. I try to teach my children to help others, no matter what their age. If I ever caught one of mine doing what those 5 were doing, they would have been embarrassed in front of God and everyone. I don't know what has gotten in to our youth, they have no work ethic anymore, and they feel the world owes them something. Yes I would have said something, probably too much.

I would have offered to help pick it up. The most he would of said is "no it's ok I got it" I hate to see people be in this kind of situation when it would be nice to get some help.

Yes I would help in an instant. old people deserve help from younger ones even without asking for it. There are just people who are very easy to get along with. They can just win a smile from you, maybe it radiates from their heart that's why it's genuine.