Practice what you preach.....

I worked a luncheon yesterday, for 19 elementary school principals. I was asked the night before if I could come in and work this….“It starts early, just serve them lunch and you can have a couple hours off before your next shift starts.” “Okay.”

Shortly after my arrival at 10:00 a.m. to set up, a few of them arrived, to set out candy dishes and flowers. Then one of them handed me a sheet of paper (she said it was a copy of the invitation) so I would be able to tell who had ordered.. They had 4 choices, and each one had a little mini table tent in front of them, with their name and a number corresponding to what they had ordered. One guy set his facing the wrong way. I reached over and turned it around, “I realize you know who you are, but I need to see this so I know what you ordered”)

As I perused the invitation, there was one line that jumped out and hit me in the face. It read “11:30 to 4ish.” WHAT!?! WHAT!?! 4ish!?! As my eyes were bugging out, I was inwardly screaming. So much for a break, my next shift begins at 4! AND! There will be no additional gratuity for the extra couple of hours I have to wait around for them to finish their meeting. (Those in the educational field are known for being notoriously cheap)

As I was trying to serve them beverages and lunch, one man kept leaning his chair back, balancing on the back two legs, and blocking the aisle. (This just reeks of professionalism) When I was in school, anytime anyone sat like that, they were told to put all four legs of the chair on the floor, so they wouldn’t fall over backwards.

Not to mention that he was also blocking the aisle….we were not allowed to rearrange our chairs any way we wanted, we had to keep the aisles clear. Others moved their chairs around, and ended up blocking any passageway I may have had to one of the tables. The one doing the balancing act finally started putting his chair back down on all fours so I could get through. Just barely. (Sorry to inconvenience you)

Then there were the ones who put their bags or boxes or books on the floor by their chair. Sure, they’re out of your way, you don’t have to move around the room, but I do. So I had to step over a bunch of stuff. (I don’t remember be allowed to put my books, or purse or whatever on the floor next to my chair, someone may trip over them)

So, in the public’s eye, you’re supposed to be the smart ones. Practice what you preach, or at the very least, practice a little common sense.