Burger- in- A- Hurry was a low class McDonalds, if that is possible. The owner of the two in Tuscaloosa was an ex con who mistrusted everyone. He expected everyone to be as morally corrupt as he was. When the assistant manager noticed I wasn't wearing socks for a job interview, he sent me home to get some. The owner wouldn't even interview a sock free applicant. He was willing to give the benefit of the doubt to anyone who wore socks.

Working there was horrible. Like other restaurant employees, we made less than minimum wage, but we had no tips to divide. Friday and Saturday nights required a full staff. No one was exempt.

My social life suffered from not being with my friends on weekends until they found out where I was and started showing up. Then my social life suffered even more.

During my second week, my cash register came up short. I was interrogated for a long time and forced to empty my pockets. The worst part was having someone think I was dishonest. The mistake was discovered the next day; there was no shortage, just a math error.

I was still banished from the cash register, which was fine. I could lose myself in the euphoria of cooking French fries. A week later another shortage materialized. Even though the first incident uncovered no wrongdoing, and I was no longer allowed around the cash register, I was questioned along with the new cash register guy.

When my dad picked me up that evening I informed him I was quitting. I cried as I tried to tell him why. Two days later the ex- con came by the house to bring my paycheck, which I had willingly abandoned to keep from going back there. He told me they never suspected me and wanted me back. It was the first time my father heard me curse and the last time he saw me cry.

I read Into the Wild

recently. The young subject of the book had to wear socks while working at McDonalds, a company rule. I remember the Winnsboro McDonalds posting a sign requiring customers to wear socks.

What is the deal with socks? I understand why we mistrust those folks with long hair, saggy pants, and piercings; those things point out obvious human flaws. We judgmental people need the ability to make an instant evaluation of someone. But socks? The choice should be a personal one based on how much your feet sweat. Why are they considered a mark of dastardliness? This is a guy thing. Women are allowed to go sockless with no reputation damage.

The recent publicity over the accused Craig's List killer had the national media salivating over him using the internet to lure victims. Every news organization was searching for a different angle. Yet, no one mentioned how clean cut he was.

Nice haircut, conservative clothes, no controversial fashion statements; this guy could have worked in the Nixon White House. Yet, he used the evil internet to lure innocent victims to their deaths. Just think how horrible he might have been portrayed if he had a tattoo, or refused to wear socks.