One incident that stuck in my mind was at a shoe-shine stand in Chicago. I was getting my own shoes shined, and having a pleasant conversation with the black guy doing them. Huge fellow, he had played pro football until his knees tore up.
A few stands down, a white man climbed into one of the chairs, with the instruction " Put a good polish on them boots, boy". The boots he wore were so badly scuffed there was zero chance of a good shine.
The guy doing my shoes must have seen the incredulous expression on my face. He quietly said " This is what we have to deal with all our lives".