Weathering the storm....

It used to be a lot easier to make money in the restaurant industry…..back in the late 80’s, all through the 90’s…..people went out multiple times a week……now they’re lucky to be out once a week. We’re all fighting for the same dollar. There used to be plenty of customers to go around, now we’re all fighting for the same ones.

Many are looking to get more bang for their buck….like those who want to sit in the lounge every time they come in….and they’re looking for many different reasons. Some wan to sit back and be entertained….others are looking for conversation….and still others want to join in and be part of the fun.

Even for those who want to be part of the fun, they’re looking for someone to lead the way, so sometimes you have to play the part of the fool. Not in an idiot sense…but in the sense that you can’t be afraid to have a little fun. There are songs that the singer sings, that seem to have universal sing-a-long parts…..maybe just a word or a phrase here or there….but no one wants to be the only one…for fear that no one else will join in….for fear of looking stupid. So you gotta put yourself on the line and lead the way. You’ve gotta show them it’s okay to have fun.

Whenever Debra, the singer does Petula Clark’s old classic hit “Downtown”, there is a perfect opportunity for all to join in and be a part of something. You know, “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go”….(everyone) “DOWNTOWN!” You may be the only one on the “DOWNTOWN”, but others will join in…they just need to know you’ll be there with them…..and there will always be the ones who simply want to soak in the environment, and get their fun vicariously through others. But there has to be an environment for them to soak in.

When Debra sings “New York, New York”…she tells everyone that the bartender has a little choreography to go along with the song. Everyone looks towards the bar and wonders what she is talking about. This all started when I told her each time she sang it, I felt like breaking out with some high kicks….so one day we just started doing it. It’s always at the same point in the song…so she leads up to it….”She’s warming up back there”…..”She’s getting ready”…..”We’re almost there”……”Here it is!”…and I do my 4 or 5 high kicks. (Just the fact that at my age I can still kick my foot higher than the bar and everyone sitting at the tables on the other side can see it, is a feat in itself)

Silly? Yes. But fun…..and there a lot of people out there thinking the same thing…”I wish I had the guts to do something like that.”

So yes, it’s okay to be the fool and have a good time….there will always be those who have a good time through you. And through our antics, we delivered more than just a good meal.