Certain types of businesses are held in endearment when referred to as “mom and pop” shops. However, what’s a better term for the cesspools of nepotism that are “family businesses” where the majority of the employees have the same last name and family tree, regardless of their qualifications?

I keep encountering blatant nepotism in places that I'm not necessarily expecting it. Sometimes it's not a big deal. But usually, it seems like these instances result in crap business practices full of people who have no sounding board that offers feedback beyond what they already think and/or want to hear.

It sucks for other employees. It sucks for customers. It's not the same kind of cute as the mom and pop corner store or tasty restaurant down the way.

I'm finding it difficult to understand where the line is drawn between nepotism and simply “learning the family business”. Or maybe they're both the same.

If we know business owner dad wants his son to take over, then why would we bother working especially hard to appease them?

There was a time when you had no choice but to follow in their footsteps and learn their trade, but that's not really the case anymore. Yet it's still the route that many follow, especially if it's more of a free ride.

It's beyond discriminatory. I just don't understand how it's so common when it's illegal in so many places?