I like to think of it as having low RAM (and sometimes a random program/thought has a memory leak). It’s not that someone just fully and completely forgets they put their food in the (muted) microwave, it’s that the task is no longer running because they had to pick up the loaf of bread that fell on the floor or maybe their ponytail needs fixing. There’s not enough RAM to run Eat Microwaved Food AND Fix Ponytail. With Fix Ponytail running and ending there’s enough RAM to run something else but it has to be manually initiated.
It’s almost definitely true as long as he’s not completely socially inept. I’m mildly socially inept and had a similar experience at a woman focused department store. I had significantly less work that I was allowed to do, but was still commended for it. If the options for growth there were at all appealing I might have stayed when offered a leadership position.
Most of my coworkers were either older women that treated me like their son/grandson or attractive young women that would take me out to bars and parties. I made a few life long friends as a nice bonus. The obvious downside is that it was by far the lowest pay and worst benefits I’ve ever had in my life (absolutely one of the most fun periods of my life though).
Although, the amount of opportunities for getting laid that I completely missed or unknowingly blew is embarrassing. Hurts a little bit to think about.