A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:There is a questionable situation happening at a local gas station convenience store in our town. There is a family that owns a location of this chain which is popular in our area. The family is not from our area originally and moved into our town about 10 years ago and bought the store after it closed down and opened it up again. The husband and wife work in the business and you see their high school age daughter as well behind the counter but the teenager is not allowed to help customers with alcohol, lottery, or tobacco purchases. What I have a problem with is there is a younger son who has a sign for washing cars on the edge of their store lot with a hose and buckets and all that paraphernalia and he is out there in summer sun washing cars for $10 each plus tips. It is amazingly hot and I cannot stand it for 10 minutes because of my diabetes and he is out there for hours every day. I know he is young and in a swimsuit and gets wet doing the cars and his older sister came out and sprayed him when he was talking to someone which is very unprofessional. I think this is like child labor though exploiting him to do this as a side business and he is not of legal age to work. He says he is 13 and saving money to purchase a car when he is 16. He has a lot of business and people put a lot of tips in his jar but I am not sure how it will add up to a car someday. It does not seem realistic. I also do not know if he pays taxes. He is a hard worker and does a good job but that is not the point. I am not sure it is healthy to get that much sun even if he uses lotion. His family is of an Asian ethnic persuasion where he is somewhat tan to start and maybe that is not as much of a problem. I believe he said they are Korean heritage. I also think having a young boy out there in a swimsuit all day long in front of God and everybody is an invitation to pedophiles. There are some perverted people on that list in our community. He is not well supervised in my opinion but I am not there obviously all the time to see how often his parents check on him. We are also a smaller town and not as dangerous as some places. Also what if someone else wanted to open a car wash business in town. How could they compete with $10 a car. He does not even do the inside of cars just the outside. I will say he is very polite Asian boy and did the wheels over several times until I was happy even though he had people waiting behind me. He has friends that congregate on a bench beside the store to keep him company but that is loitering and keeps others from using the bench. They are not even helping him with the work just talking and making jokes and drinking soda pops. It is dangerous having too many young people just galavanting in a public place with cars coming and going. I am not sure who to report this to as I do not want to cause any trouble but someone should talk to these parents and reign in this young boy before something bad happens.
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reader, anonymous, writes (18 August 2023): So let's make a list of the things you seem to have a problem with in your post. The family has moved into town 10 years ago, so I guess they are not long time locals which seems to matter to you. They are an Asian family possibly with ancestors from Korea, which also seems to matter to you since you made a point of it more than once, including mentioning the boy's skin tone. They bought a closed business in your community and re-opened it, bringing back a popular chain for your and your neighbors. They do not let their teenage daughter sell alcohol or tobacco. Their 13 year old son is washing cars and working hard saving money. He is doing this on his own parent's property using their water and supplies. He only charged $10.00 per car to do this work in summer heat. He is saving money for his own car starting 3 years ahead of time and showing some initiative for planning ahead. His older sister sprayed him with a water hose which you think is unprofessional. You think it is unsafe for him to work outdoors because you cannot tolerate the heat because of your own medical problems. You wonder if this 13 year old boy pays taxes on his humble cash earnings over the summer. You have a problem with him working in a swimsuit (after complaining about the summer heat in your post). His friends watch him while he works, sitting on a bench next to the store his parents own. They laugh and tell jokes and drink "soda pops." You are offended that someone else might not compete well with this hard working young man charging such a modest price. You apparently were not morally conflicted totally because you had him wash your car and made him work extra or your filthy wheels more than once while others waited their turn behind you in line. You are upset he only washes the exterior of the cars and that he does not have a vacuum or other equipment to do interiors I suppose. This might have something to do with his price point by the way. I know we should be kind and understanding, but I am finding it hard not to be totally annoyed with your post. You sound like a miserable person throwing shade on a wonderful young person doing a good thing. He is not vandalizing property, mugging others, doing drugs, threatening anyone, or even disturbing the peace. He is not even being lazy. He is doing honest work. And even you admit he is polite. I would tip the hell out of a kid like this. Pedophiles? Child Labor? Give me a break. You are reaching for reasons to be a "Karen" if you ask me. Also, you don't want to cause any trouble but you also want to report this to someone. If you really and truly have a legitimate concern, speak to his parents. Otherwise, mind your own business and wash your own car. Sorry for venting so much. Honey Pie was nicer about it. She is more mature than me. And yet, sometimes you need to call a spade a damn shovel.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (17 August 2023): Honeypie is right!
And thanx for this comment:
"Pedophiles don't need an invitation. Nor do they seek out kids in swimwear."
If you are dead set on reporting this, google this article:
New Yorkers fume over illegal car washers taking hydrants, hogging parking
There they mention:
Complaints about unlicensed car washers have jumped 22% this year, to 419 as of June 30 compared to 341 during the same period in 2022, according to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, which licenses car wash operators.
The problem is not that you are bothered by it, but the whole story you invented around it, including pedophiles.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (16 August 2023):
 I am guessing this is a VERY industrious boy who wants to WORK for what he has.
Maybe his parents can't afford to buy him a car at 16, so he decided to start his little car wash.
My kids have done fundraiser car washes for the Marching band and yes it was all day/all weekend - they made great money for the band. They could opt out if they wanted to.
He can DEFINITELY make enough to save up for a car in 3 years.
You sound like a busybody.
" I also think having a young boy out there in a swimsuit all day long in front of God and everybody is an invitation to pedophiles. "
Pedophiles don't need an invitation. Nor do they seek out kids in swimwear.
If you feel he is unsafe, TELL his parents. Other than that, I'd say mind your own business. This is his little summer job that he seems rather motivated to do. What is wrong with a teen starting his own car wash so he can buy a car himself?
Some kids mow lawns, shovel snow, walk dogs, baby sit. HOW is this different?
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