Since she is just a fictional character, we must accept Mary Richards for who she is. In my place of employment, as incredibly attractive as she is, her way of dealing with things as a person of authority, wouldn't have lasted long. In this one the gang gone to a restaurant for Ted's birthday. The waitress is horrible. She isn't just incompetent; she is rude and disinterested. Mary complains to the manager and she is fired. Wouldn't you know it, when a job opens up at the station, she applies and Mary, rather than hire a really competent person, filled with guilt, hires her. She is worse at her job there than she was at the restaurant. Mary has to do her own work and the new girl's work. And this person simply accepts it without any gratitude. Rhoda warned her and she went ahead anyway. It was fun to watch Mary, wearing her heart on her sleeve as Lou accuses her of being jealous.