Posted on 12/15/2004 11:21:51 PM PST by My Favorite Headache
I had to share this with my fellow Freepers. I just got in the door from an evening out with my lady...and our evening ended up with a late meal at the local TGI Friday's in Melbourne,Florida.
Who cares,right?
Well about 45 mins into my meal I took a look around the establishment and noticed something really out of place. I thought to myself "every store I have been in tonight has had some sort of holiday decorations or tree...what gives?".
What gives indeed.
When I excused myself to go to the restroom I saw a flyer that was stapled to the inside of the bathroom door that showed the hours of operation for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Years Eve and New Years Day. Open til 2AM on Christmas Day and 10 PM on Christmas Eve....how nice.
But it was what I didn't see that really made the impression. Not one single holiday decoration. Not one light,Christmas Tree,garland,reindeer,santa,tinsel, you name it...it was not there. Bare as can be like it was the middle of August.
So I waited for the waitress to come back to the table to inquire about what exactly was the reason for this? I have forever gone into Friday's for decades and have always seen decorations and Christmas music playing up near the bar. I have always seen waiters and waitresses wearing Santa hats or in the Holiday spirit.
None was to be seen or found. I then was told why.
TGI Friday's has gone out of its way to not promote the holiday except when you walk in the door which there was a mobile hanging from the ceiling that said "instead of cologne..buy gift certificates instead."
This was it?
The waitress continued to explain that since they have adopted a new change in wardrobe (i.e. the new black shirt and black pants instead of red and white striped shirts and pins and buttons)the upper management wants nothing to do with Christmas and feel's it might make the patrons feel uncomfortable if they push the season in their faces. They believe it is an eating establishment...not a place to celebrate one religion's celebration.
My jaw about hit the floor. There it was...in 100% color...Friday's has buckled and sucked it up to the PC police and now are Scrooge with their employee's who are told "business is business and work is work...this is social hour for the customer...not the employee."
Now anyone who has gone to one of these places knows it is the personality of Friday's which has always been a draw not to mention its late hours. It has a social alive feeling and it is a big attraction for ages 19-35. So why would Friday's adopt this ridiculous policy out of the clear blue sky?
I would venture to guess that this "upper management" has their collective head's up their asses.
As for Friday's....thanks but no thanks. Next time...Chili's.
Did you, perhaps, notice a large BAH HUMBUG sign posted?
For real...I could not get over it. The bar at Friday's was always a place during the holidays that was so awesome. They would have Christmas music playing and the bar decorated. I worked there one year out of high school and we had a blast having christmas parties there. Now the place has these faces on people that are just like slaves.
TGI Fridays Jumped the Shark back around 1981.
Here in Springfield Oregon several older men are making signs. They are Christian MERYY CHRISTMAS signs, and, they aree popping up all over town.
Methinks the people are getting VERY fed up with this nonsence.
No problem...just spread the word...I mean they won't even allow the waiters and waitresses to wear santa hat's..out of hand.
I would have asked to see the manager so I could pass on to him my intention to walk away from TGIF and never return, and of course to make it clear why.
When did Friday's open? The first one I went into had to be 1981 actually.
I got the number actually to their corporate offices and the GM was not on duty. I got the info...should I post it and see what they think of 5,000 Freepers ringin their phones tomorrow?
They were open in the 70's. They used to have good food, free appetizers during happy hour, etc. They have sucked for years.
Could be good.
I think, btw, that perhaps ambrose was implying that TGI Fridays is the kind of thing that got into business with the shark pre-jumped, so to speak.
Wow...so you are saying that the shark was swimming in the tank when the blueprints were still on the table? That has to be a new one.
I hate those places, what with their fake ambience and over-the-top attitude and flattery (flattitude?) and their 21 pieces of flair....
Hooters has lights up year round. :O)
lmfao...hahahahahaha
I've eaten there like twice, never was a fan. Overpriced, badly cooked fast-food.
While we certainly need to speak up when we don't like what we see (or don't see, as the case may be), we need to be sure to express approval for those who still acknowledge Christmas and especially those who realize that "Jesus is the reason for the season".
And I also recently was shopping at a Hobby Lobby and was sure to drop a little extra in the Salvation Army kettle outside the door ... :-)
Look, we want you to express yourself, okay? If you think the bare minimum is enough, then okay. But some people choose to wear more and we encourage that, okay? You do want to express yourself, don't you?
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