A&P vs. Orientation

In both stories, A&P and Orientation, the bosses are assertive with their actions. In A&P when the girls come into the store to buy their item, the boss rejects them service and says, “We want you decently dressed when you come in here.” When Queenie replies Lengel again lays down the law and says, “Girls, I don’t want to argue with you. After this come in here with your shoulders covered. It’s our policy.” In the story orientation it is also easy to see that the boss is assertive. Throughout the text the boss is always saying don’t do this or you may be let go. An example is when the boss says, “But were not supposed to know any of this. Do not let on. If you let on, you may be let go.” This shows a typical role that a boss takes in the workplace. They have the power to enforce their policies, and make decisions on things such as kicking people out of their store or firing employees.

Also, in both of these short stories the bosses warn of consequences related to their jobs. In A&P, Sammy quits. Lengel warns of the consequences by saying, “You’ll feel this for the rest of your life.” There is also a sense of consequences in the story Orientation. If you do something wrong you will be let go. The boss says, “If it interfered with her work, she might have to be let go.” By saying this, the boss is warning the new employee of situations to avoid that could happen to him and end up with the loss of his job.

Another thing both of these stories represent is that the boss has the power, not the customers or employees. In A&P, it shows that the customers, the girls, don’t get to do what they want to do. Queenie says, “We weren’t doing any shopping. We just came in for the one thing.” Even though she argues and makes a valid point, she still doesn’t get what she wants because she doesn’t have the power to. In Orientation, The boss says, “You are allowed to join the coffee pool of your choice, but you are not allowed to touch the Mr. Coffee.” This again shows the power that the boss has over the employee. The boss could touch the Mr. Coffee if he wanted to, but he is able to tell his employees that they can’t. This elevates him, showing he has more privileges and power than his staff.