Thoughts to ponder.....or not

I was thinking about tablecloths the other day……I worked at a corporate restaurant that used white tablecloths. And then they would put a big piece of white paper over it. I remember the first time I encountered the white tablecloth with the white butcher paper on top of it. The first thoughts that ran through my mind were, (and I don’t remember the exact order) What’s the point? This paper is really annoying. This a round table, you’re using square paper, that’s ignorant. This paper is really annoying. It hangs over the edge in a most obstructive way. Pretty tacky way to get more use out a tablecloth.

Then I got to add to the list after I started working at the corporate restaurant……while resetting a table, and putting the white paper over the tablecloth (which was not changed) I caught the edge of the paper with my finger Oh shit! I just got a paper cut! And then while clearing a table, I went to roll up the paper Oh shit! I just got a paper cut!

It’s also a little embarrassing when one of your guests says, “Have you got a band-aid? I just got a paper cut”

It was nerve-racking every time you would see parents let their kids and babies play with the edge of the paper.

I can understand that every business wants to save money….cut costs wherever they can….I had heard from a reliable source…that it costs the restaurant $1.25 for every tablecloth they use. That can add up pretty fast….especially since some tables are large and require more than one cloth. So let’s get more uses out of tablecloth…..we can cut our costs if use each one at least twice…..three times if we can…..

A significant savings? Over time, I’m sure it is. But in the meantime, try not to think about whether that cloth under the paper was changed or not….or how many people inadvertently wiped their hands on while reaching for their napkin…..or perhaps a small child decided to wipe his face on it……we’ve even found gum, stuck in them……