Posted on 05/13/2005 6:51:22 AM PDT by grellis
My "swan song" thread was going to be sort of an introduction: I was going to post a little autobio so you could have a rough idea who has been running this thread for the past year. I realized a couple of things: Most of you already know me; those who don't, well, I guess Friday the 13th will be a lucky day for you; and a thread featuring yours truly would have EVERYONE running off to do errands or whatnot. Instead, I'm going to tell you a little about how work went for me last night. There should be a point somewhere in the following, but you may have to look realclose.
As you all know, I am a late-shift Denny's waitress. Not a server, please, waitress. Last night, I was scheduled to work from 8pm to 2am. When I got in at 8:00, there wasn't a section for me to move into, and nothing was scheduled to open up until 9pm. I could have used the hour to get a jump on my sidework: Salad station prep, rolling silverware, the usual waitstaff chores. I can get a lot done in an hour. Instead I gave the other waitresses a hand, making desserts, running food, warming up coffee, cleaning spills, bussing tables. Enhancing (or, at least, ensuring) their tips. When 9pm rolled around, the other waitresses let me have the best section of all--"coffee shop," the front smoking section. Guaranteed easy money.
Throughout the night, I helped out my fellow waitresses whenever I could. Denny's is supposed to be a real "teamwork" kind of establishment, but like any restaurant, it is actually pretty cutthroat. You have to look out for your own patrons (your own money) and concentrate on getting your own sidework done. Teamworking is a bottom of the list kind of thing. I took care of my own section because that's my job, primarily. I rolled silver when I could because we weren't well prepped and my fingers are lightening fast. I made sure the salad bar was well stocked. I also did a bunch of stuff that was not my responsibility--filling drystock "outs" (straws, napkins, carryout supplies), dessert prep, running the register, bussing tables. Helping out.
When 2am drew near, I was able to focus my full attention on my own sidework--and realized that I had quite a bit more to do than I'd thought. No worries. Waitresses seldom get off work when they are scheduled. While I mixed a batch of Ranch dressing (messy job), the manager came out and cleaned up the salad station for me. While I rolled the rest of my silver, a waiter did the "fills" in my section (sugar caddies, salt and pepper, ashtrays, etc). While I made fresh iced tea, a waitress wiped down my counter. I did not ask for any help, just as I had not waited to be asked for help earlier. All things considered, it was a most unusual night. Before I knew it, my work was done and I was ready to hit the road. I gave a (nearly sober) patron a lift home after he was unable to get a cab out to pick him up. This morning, I realized that he left me $10 in my ashtray. Even discounting that last mini-windfall, I made more money last night than I have since I returned to work.
Kindness invites and inspires kindness, folks. It really does. So, go! Go mitzvah already! Go out and be kind
...or I'm gonna smack that bottom of yours!!!
Good morning, ladies!
Good morning, gentlemen!
Oh, excuse me (steps out of their way)
Keep up the good work - its the right thing to do!
Big ol' thinderstorm is moving in, my fellow FReepers, so I'm shutting the pc off for a while. Thanks for all of the great discussions we've had in the past year! I should be able to let you know today who'll be "setting the table" from now on.
Nice story, thanks. (Your tip is in my tagline.)
What a great story! And so true! Just passing along a smile instead of screaming at the top of my lungs when frustrated with my kids goes a long way. :o)
Good on ya! Some days it really is worth it to fight off the covers and head out into the cold mean world we live in.
Sounds like the Golden Rule in spades. And maybe you even inspired a few colleagues. Well done!
Good morning........sounds like you had a wonderful night last night.
sorry I have responded to your FReepmail of yesterday yet.........my phones were out yesterday and I spent most of the day on the cell phone fighting with Verizon.
My husband generally dilikes when I go into *itch mode - but realizes it pays off at times. Verizon did get our phones realigned last night instead of tonight, and gave us a 2 month credit on our bill because of the number of outages we have had since the first of the year.........
sorry I have responded to your FReepmail of yesterday yet..
Should read:
sorry I haveN'T responded to your FReepmail of yesterday yet..
How cool, you are so right, kindness is contagious. Good for you, for spreading it. :)
Love your wit and wisdom, lady, I hope you won't be a stranger!
Miss?
A little more coffee here, please.
Dan
(c8
So does this mean you are retiring from the Executive Committee?
This isn't an opus, I post this thread each Friday but I'm handing it over to another FReeper. How goes everything, stranger?
Or how about the usual Denny's reply:
"I'll send your server right out with that!"
When I witness a "server"/waitress/manager, etc., really doing their job, I'm sure to give massive thanks, because it seems they might not get it otherwise acknowledged.
Very nice, love it. I try to be like that myself, and I will especially try to today after your example.
Very rarely, something will happen at work that will just get under my skin and fester. I keep smiling, while cursing (poorly!) in Italian or Yiddish. I feel better immediately.
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