Editor's note: Barry Courter has a 25-year-old son who is a college graduate and a 20-year-old daughter who is a sophomore in college.

Q: Dad, is there a big difference between working in the corporate world, retail and food services?

A: Yes and no. Some of the rules can be different, and it's important to learn them as soon as possible. Some of the basics are the same wherever you end up working. Show up on time and ready to work every day; don't be a problem maker, and do the job that is expected of you. And avoid drama at all costs. Just walk away when someone wants to gossip or complain about the work place. The biggest differences, in a general sense, are usually how much interaction you might have with customers and the types of customers you might have. Your corporate customers usually haven't been drinking, though they can be just as rude. You can learn about people and how to deal with demanding or unresonable folks working in either. Smile and let them act a fool.