34. Used to work in the meat shop of a family owned (still quite large but still not nation wide) chain of combined stores with grocery, clothing, home, bath, etc.
It was not a terrible experience.
To be fair, I learned to not wear cargo pants because when i was cleaning at night, if my pockets weren’t secured, I’d definitely go home with a pocket full of meat. But the shop was clean.
The people there actually cared about doing a good job.
The daytime department manager had a whole cadre of customers that would ask for him and subsequently his advice on cuts or holiday specials.
The apprentice cutters enjoyed learning cuts and processes.
It was kind of a gap filler job for me but everyone in the department helped coach me on things. Productively.
It was a great environment the could have really sucked if not for some positive attitudes.
From then on, no matter what town I have found myself in, I’ve always searched for a good meat and seafood person. You generally get some honest talk about the shop and community.
