There’s assholes at Carrabba’s too. But at least you get tips.

Last week my son Ethan, who works as a Carrabba’s waiter (and makes great money in tips) had a job interview with the DMV in Tampa, Florida. He thought he was awkward during the interview and didn’t think he’d get the job, especially because almost a week passed and he heard nothing back from them.

A few days ago, he started having second thoughts about working for the DMV. My son is an artist–an urban dancer and aspiring filmmaker–and could not see himself fitting into the sterile, corporate environment of working for a government agency like the DMV. I agreed but said nothing. This was his call, not mine.

Yesterday he got a call from the DMV saying he got the job. But Ethan refused their offer, knowing he’s turning down a good salary and full health coverage and other benefits government employees get. He had a few regrets after the fact, but says he knows it was the right decision.

I say good for him. He kept his integrity and had the foresight to realize how soul-sucking a job like that could have been for someone like my son, who is an HSP (like me), somewhat eccentric in his interests, and also gay. He’s what you would probably consider a “hipster.” Ethan’s a kind person and he probably would have been too “nice” to last long at the DMV. He enjoys his waiter’s job well enough, and has no problem with sticking with that until he finds something more in line with his true interests in filmmaking or something related.

But I think the fact the DMV wanted to hire Ethan was a much needed boost to his self esteem. It proved to him that he can get other types of jobs besides those in the service industry. He was starting to have doubts (I’ve told him again and again it’s not him, but the entire Millennial generation that’s having problems finding decent jobs).

For more about the soullessness of the corporate/government environment today and how it’s being taken over by narcissism, please read this insightful article by Fivehundredpoundpeep.