A couple came and sat at the bar the other night….they were waiting for another couple to join them. When couple number two came in, the four of them started talking, I was standing there trying to get the drink order for couple number two. The man ordered right away, I caught the attention of the woman, asked her what she’d like to drink, she looked me in the eye, then turned back to her conversation. Okay, I’m not a mind reader, although I can decide for you, but you may not like the choice. AND, I’m not going to stand there and wait while you go on with your conversation. You wanna ignore me? I’m gonna ignore you until you stop flapping your jaws and answer my question. It’s not like I asked you to explain the Theory of Relativity, I simply asked you what you’d like to drink, and I felt you probably knew the answer to this better than anyone else. Perhaps I was wrong.
So I gave her another chance, “Excuse me, what would like to drink?” She managed to squeeze in the word “Wine.” (She was acting as though she was giving the State of the Union Address and I interrupted her.) Wine. Great. What type of wine? Oh screw it, I walked away for a few minutes.
These are the same people, who, after a few minutes say, “I didn’t get a drink yet!” Whoa! Keen eye for the obvious! I’m always tempted to ask if they have early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. Do you not remember the me asking you what you’d like, just three short minutes ago?
It went from bad to worse, when they decided to order some appetizers. This woman decided to be in charge….I’ve never seen the ordering of appetizers turn into such a convoluted mess. “Should we get the Spinach Dip and Crab Cakes? Or would you prefer Calamari? Or should we go with the Bruschetta and Calamari? Do you like Crab Cakes better than Calamari? Or should we get the Caprese Salad? Should we narrow it down to two or should we get three?” She finally told me they wanted the Spinach Dip, Calamari and Crab Cakes, so I sent the order in. Then she went back to discussing what they should get.
I went and got some plates and silverware, as I was setting those out, she was again talking about what they should have. (Everyone else seemed to be done with this part of the conversation.) I informed her that the order had already been sent in.
Maybe that Alzheimer’s theory wasn’t too far off.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Young or old, large or small........
Since there were two of us tending bar Friday night, I got to leave early. Just as I got home, I got a text from a friend, asking if I was working. She was going to up come and see me, but since I wasn’t there, we went to see the singer’s daughter’s band. What a blast! As the band was getting ready to start, the keyboard player was saying something about “toe-tapping music”, and as I looked in their direction, I saw a woman who was a minimum of 70 years old, standing on the dance floor. As soon as the music started, I understood the ‘toe-tapping” comment. This woman had on tap shoes, and started dancing away. She was really good, had some great moves. The song was pretty long, I kept waiting for her to get pooped out and go back to her seat. She never did. She was like the Energizer Bunny, she kept going and going. She was amazing! She never stopped until the song was over! The crowd was cheering loudly for her!
She sat down for a song, then got up again. This time people were getting up and dancing with her. Everyone was having a great time. There was at least a 40 year age span here. Chronological age doesn’t matter.
The next night, back at work, we had a slow night, the summer doldrums. But, we had a helluva lot of fun! There was a couple at the bar who were singing along, as was I and the busboy, and a couple of servers. The few at the tables were also joining in.
The busboy and I were doing our usual dance moves, the “Swim” to a sixties song, then we hold our noses like we’re going under water, and disappear behind the bar. We did the high kicks to “New York, New York” …and even came up with a few more moves.
Like I said, the crowd was sparse, but it didn’t matter, those who were there had fun.
So you see, the numbers don’t matter, whether we’re talking about age or the size of the crowd. Fun is fun. Go ahead, cut loose and enjoy yourself!
She sat down for a song, then got up again. This time people were getting up and dancing with her. Everyone was having a great time. There was at least a 40 year age span here. Chronological age doesn’t matter.
The next night, back at work, we had a slow night, the summer doldrums. But, we had a helluva lot of fun! There was a couple at the bar who were singing along, as was I and the busboy, and a couple of servers. The few at the tables were also joining in.
The busboy and I were doing our usual dance moves, the “Swim” to a sixties song, then we hold our noses like we’re going under water, and disappear behind the bar. We did the high kicks to “New York, New York” …and even came up with a few more moves.
Like I said, the crowd was sparse, but it didn’t matter, those who were there had fun.
So you see, the numbers don’t matter, whether we’re talking about age or the size of the crowd. Fun is fun. Go ahead, cut loose and enjoy yourself!
Friday, August 5, 2011
A Normal Night?
If there is such a thing as a normal night, last night was it. A bunch of the happy hour regulars were in…everyone ate and drank…conversation was lively….one of our friends was there, he always orders appetizers and shares them with the singer and me. (Lucky us)
The chef wandered out to the bar to get something to drink. I called him over….”Hey, these people (the happy hour regulars) want to talk to you.” They were telling him how good the appetizers were (we just came out with a new menu) however, they requested that he make sure the rest of the kitchen staff knew how to prepare them the same way he did, so they would always come out the same. These people are here a lot, and spot a discrepancy a mile away.
The heat wave we’ve been having has broken for a few days, the weather was gorgeous, the patio was hopping.
And, just to insure it was a normal night, a party of 30 was over an hour late. (Perhaps someone needed to check what time zone we are in.)
It was great to have a normal night, but it doesn’t give me a lot to talk about. But that’s okay, I feel like I am in the home stretch now, tomorrow night will be the last of what turned out to be 18 days in a row, with only one day off. So I guess smooth sailing last night made for a relaxing shift. So I should enjoy it while I can, you never know what tonight may bring. Although there will be two of behind the bar, and I won’t have to close. YAY!
I’m sure someone, over the next two days will do something stupid and give me more to talk about. In fact, I’d bet on it.
The chef wandered out to the bar to get something to drink. I called him over….”Hey, these people (the happy hour regulars) want to talk to you.” They were telling him how good the appetizers were (we just came out with a new menu) however, they requested that he make sure the rest of the kitchen staff knew how to prepare them the same way he did, so they would always come out the same. These people are here a lot, and spot a discrepancy a mile away.
The heat wave we’ve been having has broken for a few days, the weather was gorgeous, the patio was hopping.
And, just to insure it was a normal night, a party of 30 was over an hour late. (Perhaps someone needed to check what time zone we are in.)
It was great to have a normal night, but it doesn’t give me a lot to talk about. But that’s okay, I feel like I am in the home stretch now, tomorrow night will be the last of what turned out to be 18 days in a row, with only one day off. So I guess smooth sailing last night made for a relaxing shift. So I should enjoy it while I can, you never know what tonight may bring. Although there will be two of behind the bar, and I won’t have to close. YAY!
I’m sure someone, over the next two days will do something stupid and give me more to talk about. In fact, I’d bet on it.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
You're ONLY impressing yourself......
With the exception of Monday, my week has not gone as planned, at all. As I mentioned yesterday, I got called into work on Tuesday, ran up and down the stairs a million times. See, On Monday, I did a heavy duty leg workout at the gym. Tuesday was supposed to be my recuperation day, but it wasn’t. Wednesday I wasn’t supposed to work until 4:00 p.m., however I got called in again, to work the lunch shift, which meant I had to work a double. Again, not the week I had planned after working my stretch of 13 days in a row.
So between the workout, the stairs and the double, my legs are shot. I can’t remember the last time they were this sore.
I had some errands I had to run yesterday, so my co-worker (who was not working a double) told me to go ahead and leave as soon as it slowed down. Cool. Of course I got all the tables that decided to camp out. However two of the tables, paid their bills, and just sat and talked. That’s okay, now all I have to do is cash out the third one, and then I’m good to go.
I dropped off the check, it was inside the little black check presenter book we put them in, went back a few minutes later, asked “Is this ready for me?” Little did I know I was dealing with Queen Upherbutt. She looked up and said in a rather indignant manner, “I haven’t even looked at it yet.”
So in a grand gesture, she opened up the book, looked at the check, and left it sitting there open. Okay, I get it, you’re on your power trip…you‘re very impressed with yourself. I know, I know, you’ll pay when you are damn good and ready. Really, what’s the big deal? Just pay the check. All the other tables did, and then they sat and talked. But not you, you’re gonna make me wait. Sure, I could try explaining that I need to cash out and leave, because I have a limited amount of time to get a few things done before I have to work the next shift….but due to your lack of common sense and social graces, it would probably just make you more indignant. After all, in your eyes, we’re not really people.
After 30 minutes of waiting for you to cash out, I chose Option B. I transferred the check to the other server and told him to keep the tip as payment for resetting my last two tables. An hour later, the other server sent me a text saying they finally cashed out.
So, you made yourself happy with your ”power” statement, and impressed yourself with your uppity attitude. Let me tell you what you told the rest of the world, what a sad life you must lead when you have to resort to rudeness and arrogance to make yourself happy.
Every server in the world knows what I’m talking about. And because of her ignorance, Queen Upherbutt, will never “get it.”
So between the workout, the stairs and the double, my legs are shot. I can’t remember the last time they were this sore.
I had some errands I had to run yesterday, so my co-worker (who was not working a double) told me to go ahead and leave as soon as it slowed down. Cool. Of course I got all the tables that decided to camp out. However two of the tables, paid their bills, and just sat and talked. That’s okay, now all I have to do is cash out the third one, and then I’m good to go.
I dropped off the check, it was inside the little black check presenter book we put them in, went back a few minutes later, asked “Is this ready for me?” Little did I know I was dealing with Queen Upherbutt. She looked up and said in a rather indignant manner, “I haven’t even looked at it yet.”
So in a grand gesture, she opened up the book, looked at the check, and left it sitting there open. Okay, I get it, you’re on your power trip…you‘re very impressed with yourself. I know, I know, you’ll pay when you are damn good and ready. Really, what’s the big deal? Just pay the check. All the other tables did, and then they sat and talked. But not you, you’re gonna make me wait. Sure, I could try explaining that I need to cash out and leave, because I have a limited amount of time to get a few things done before I have to work the next shift….but due to your lack of common sense and social graces, it would probably just make you more indignant. After all, in your eyes, we’re not really people.
After 30 minutes of waiting for you to cash out, I chose Option B. I transferred the check to the other server and told him to keep the tip as payment for resetting my last two tables. An hour later, the other server sent me a text saying they finally cashed out.
So, you made yourself happy with your ”power” statement, and impressed yourself with your uppity attitude. Let me tell you what you told the rest of the world, what a sad life you must lead when you have to resort to rudeness and arrogance to make yourself happy.
Every server in the world knows what I’m talking about. And because of her ignorance, Queen Upherbutt, will never “get it.”
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Situational Awareness
We learn about “situational awareness” starting in elementary school. We are taught not to block the aisles, how to proceed in an orderly fashion, such as in a fire drill, or how to patiently wait our turn in the lunch line. So why is it, when people are no longer in school, they go completely brain dead when in positions where situational awareness would greatly help out?
We had a funeral luncheon, where the number of people who showed up, exceeded the number we were given. There were two rectangular tables against a wall, not being used for anything, when I noticed a group of people start moving them around. I asked what they needed…they said there weren’t enough seats, so I told them we would take care of it. So, I moved the tables into a usable position, told someone else to bring in 18 more chairs, and proceeded to set the tables with napkins and silverware.
This would have gone a lot smoother if the people we were setting the tables for, didn’t insist on standing in our way. They hovered about these tables like they were the last two tables on earth. We cannot put out the chairs, if you insist on standing exactly where the chairs need to go. Something’s gotta give, either you move out of the way for a few minutes, and let us do our job, or you go without a chair.
Even a moderately observant person can see that, while setting down silverware, that I started at one end of the table, and am working my way down to the other end. When I say “Excuse me,” because I need to reach around you, and you move six inches to the left (which is the direction I am going) I shouldn’t have to say it for every knife I need to set down.
Don’t make me go all “school principal” on you and tell you to stand against the wall until we’re finished. This is shit you should already know!
We had a funeral luncheon, where the number of people who showed up, exceeded the number we were given. There were two rectangular tables against a wall, not being used for anything, when I noticed a group of people start moving them around. I asked what they needed…they said there weren’t enough seats, so I told them we would take care of it. So, I moved the tables into a usable position, told someone else to bring in 18 more chairs, and proceeded to set the tables with napkins and silverware.
This would have gone a lot smoother if the people we were setting the tables for, didn’t insist on standing in our way. They hovered about these tables like they were the last two tables on earth. We cannot put out the chairs, if you insist on standing exactly where the chairs need to go. Something’s gotta give, either you move out of the way for a few minutes, and let us do our job, or you go without a chair.
Even a moderately observant person can see that, while setting down silverware, that I started at one end of the table, and am working my way down to the other end. When I say “Excuse me,” because I need to reach around you, and you move six inches to the left (which is the direction I am going) I shouldn’t have to say it for every knife I need to set down.
Don’t make me go all “school principal” on you and tell you to stand against the wall until we’re finished. This is shit you should already know!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
I hate it when work interrupts my day off.......
The other bartender was on vacation, so I ended up working 13 days in a row…..so I was REALLY looking forward to two days off in a row. Yesterday was great. Sat around for a while drinking coffee…very relaxing, computer on my lap….then I went off to the gym, a little work out, a little swimming, sat in the sun for a few minutes…..strolled through the grocery store….then went and had dinner with a friend who is moving out of town. Didn’t realize how much I needed a day off.
Today started out much the same, with the coffee routine…then I was going to write a blog…..hit the gym again….then hang out at home. But all those plans came to a screeching halt, right after the coffee part.
The phone rang, it was work, let it go to voicemail. I am not working today! I need another day off! About 10 minutes go by, curiosity gets to me….what if it’s not just that someone called off a lunch shift, what if it’s something else. So I listen to the voicemail.
It seems there was a funeral luncheon today, that started out at 50 to 70 people. The restaurant got a call saying it would be larger than they thought, and there would be about 135 people. Okay, that’s a bit of an increase. And, they had an open bar, and would I come in and work the bar.
Shit! So I called back and said I would. There goes my leisurely day off, and it messes with my gym time. However, I did get a work out. Not the one I wanted, but a workout nonetheless. The bar I was going to be working, is in a downstairs banquet room, and has nothing stocked in it, except these occasions when we use it. So I had to get out everything, we’re talking liquor, wine, juice, fruit, glasses, everything. So it was up and down the stairs, a LOT of times. And when it was all over, I got to put everything back.
I hate it when work interrupts my day off.
Today started out much the same, with the coffee routine…then I was going to write a blog…..hit the gym again….then hang out at home. But all those plans came to a screeching halt, right after the coffee part.
The phone rang, it was work, let it go to voicemail. I am not working today! I need another day off! About 10 minutes go by, curiosity gets to me….what if it’s not just that someone called off a lunch shift, what if it’s something else. So I listen to the voicemail.
It seems there was a funeral luncheon today, that started out at 50 to 70 people. The restaurant got a call saying it would be larger than they thought, and there would be about 135 people. Okay, that’s a bit of an increase. And, they had an open bar, and would I come in and work the bar.
Shit! So I called back and said I would. There goes my leisurely day off, and it messes with my gym time. However, I did get a work out. Not the one I wanted, but a workout nonetheless. The bar I was going to be working, is in a downstairs banquet room, and has nothing stocked in it, except these occasions when we use it. So I had to get out everything, we’re talking liquor, wine, juice, fruit, glasses, everything. So it was up and down the stairs, a LOT of times. And when it was all over, I got to put everything back.
I hate it when work interrupts my day off.
Monday, August 1, 2011
HEY! We're closed!
I am constantly amazed at how many people (some even seemingly intelligent) don’t know when they’ve over stayed their welcome. It was easy when I worked at a place that stayed open until 2:30 a.m. by law (in Michigan) we could not serve any alcoholic beverages after 2:00 a.m., and everyone had to be gone by 2:30. It doesn’t matter whether or not you had finished your drink, or food for that matter, by 2:30, we had to throw you out. And yes, it was fun.
However, now I choose to work at a place that does not stay open that late. The other night we had a group of nine, who came for a late dinner and business meeting. We stayed a little past our normal closing time for them. As we were waiting for them to leave, I closed up the bar…..which includes putting little paper cone cups over the tops of all the bottles. It’s more than little obvious that we are done for the night.
Four of them decide to come over to the bar…along with the physical evidence that we are closed, as they came around the corner, I was picking up my purse to leave. The people they saw in the lounge, were the servers, (it’s easy to tell, they all have on the same uniform) They weren’t there to party, they were cashing out for the night. So what do these guys do? Plop their butts down on the bar stools, comment on the cone cups, “Oh, you must be closing” then point to the beer taps and say, “I bet those still work.” Idiots.
Then there’s the two guys who came in last night for dinner. They were not the last table to arrive, but they were the last table to leave. The dining room is empty, has been for a while, there is no sign of life, and still they sit. The server and busboy were in the kitchen waiting for them to leave. Knowing that subtlety is totally lost on fools, I picked up my purse, hung it on my shoulder, had a to go cup of pop in my left hand, and started to walk through the dining room…..I paused ever so slightly at their table, all the while looking them in the eye, (it sort of forces them to acknowledge you) and they asked, “Are you closing?” “Uh-huh.” I’m not going with the standard answer, “Oh, it’s okay, take your time.” They’ve already taken their time, and mine. It’s almost an hour past closing. By the time I took two more steps, they were getting up and leaving. Mission accomplished.
However, now I choose to work at a place that does not stay open that late. The other night we had a group of nine, who came for a late dinner and business meeting. We stayed a little past our normal closing time for them. As we were waiting for them to leave, I closed up the bar…..which includes putting little paper cone cups over the tops of all the bottles. It’s more than little obvious that we are done for the night.
Four of them decide to come over to the bar…along with the physical evidence that we are closed, as they came around the corner, I was picking up my purse to leave. The people they saw in the lounge, were the servers, (it’s easy to tell, they all have on the same uniform) They weren’t there to party, they were cashing out for the night. So what do these guys do? Plop their butts down on the bar stools, comment on the cone cups, “Oh, you must be closing” then point to the beer taps and say, “I bet those still work.” Idiots.
Then there’s the two guys who came in last night for dinner. They were not the last table to arrive, but they were the last table to leave. The dining room is empty, has been for a while, there is no sign of life, and still they sit. The server and busboy were in the kitchen waiting for them to leave. Knowing that subtlety is totally lost on fools, I picked up my purse, hung it on my shoulder, had a to go cup of pop in my left hand, and started to walk through the dining room…..I paused ever so slightly at their table, all the while looking them in the eye, (it sort of forces them to acknowledge you) and they asked, “Are you closing?” “Uh-huh.” I’m not going with the standard answer, “Oh, it’s okay, take your time.” They’ve already taken their time, and mine. It’s almost an hour past closing. By the time I took two more steps, they were getting up and leaving. Mission accomplished.
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