City Auto - Memphis

The first week at a new job isn’t about learning the work… it’s about finding the coworker you’re going to bother for the next several years.

You’re looking for someone with the right balance of helpful, funny, and willing to explain things without making you feel needy.

Nothing prepares you for watching your work bestie work with someone else.

One new coworker shows up and suddenly you’re standing there like a divorced parent watching them start a new family.

Seeing an email arrive at 8:28 AM and immediately knowing it’s going to become a “future me” problem.

Now it’s sitting in my inbox all day while I repeatedly make eye contact with it and choose not to engage.

Mechanics and parts departments have a relationship nobody outside the shop would understand.

One minute it’s “good morning,” the next minute you’re complimenting someone’s shirt because you need that part today, not next week.

There’s no more uncomfortable feeling than making eye contact with your boss when you weren’t expecting to.

Now you’re replaying every decision you’ve made since clocking in and wondering if you’re getting a raise or getting a lecture.

People really do look different with a filter.

Crazy what a good filter can do — smoother performance, cleaner look, better attitude… honestly relatable.

Giving the customer a few minutes to feel like I’m really working some magic on the numbers.

Meanwhile I’m over here fighting for my life on Pac-Man.

Every mechanic knows the difference between a normal shop noise and a “yeah… that definitely didn’t go according to plan” noise.

You look up for a second, make eye contact across the shop, then silently continue working. No questions asked.