The Gift of Giving

In this day and age, you really don't get to witness a term called, "The Kindness of Strangers." But in my line of work it is a real treat when this happens. Even if the kindness is not directed at you. I thought since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I still can't believe how this year has flown by, that I would tell you a few unique stories of things I have had the pleasure to witness.

The pain of 9-11 is still in every one's hearts. The days of people seeing a soldier and just walking by him are long gone. Almost every time there is a man in uniform in my restaurant, at least one person approaches his or her table and thanks them for the service they give our country. The soldier, politely, says "Thank you." Sometimes a pleasant conversation is started and you can see some of the ways people call old fashioned, played in action. I love it when a see a soldier approach a veteran and thank them for what they have done for our country in the past. It is the younger generation recognizing the elder population.

A few weeks ago, I was waiting on a table of soldiers. Four men and one woman. I was having blast joking with them and such. A fellow server approached me. They said that their table wanted to talk to me. Finding it a bit odd, I went on over to a table that was not mine. The lady sitting there wanted to purchase the soldiers meal as a Thank You for their service. I was pleasantly surprised and allowed her to do so. I let my guests finish their meal with no clue as to what had happened. When it came time to leave them the check, I let them know that a generous lady had taken care of their entire bill. They all wanted to know who had done such a nice thing. The lady hadn't asked for me to not tell them, so I let them know. Again, thanks and talking was exchanged. Strangers helping strangers. I love seeing that.

Then yesterday, yet another incident happened. Which is what brought this story about. There was a really young couple. I would say easily twenty, twenty-two max. The woman is pregnant. They were just out for a nice lunch. Apparently had errands to run and such. This time a man approached the server of the young couples table. He wanted to buy their meal, and provide the tip. He said he remembered starting off young with little ones. He said, "You can let them know that I want them to save this money for the baby. But don't tell them that it was me." This man didn't know the young couple at all. He was just drawing from his past and decided to help someone out. The young couple naturally wanted to know who was so kind, but alas, we honored the man's request. The were told not to tip. The man took care of that as well. Hopefully that young couple will remember that and pay it forward in their own way in their own time.

I am a firm believer in the Pay It Forward way. I have been helped so many times in my life and when I can I help out others. Just something to think about as the Holiday season is approaching.

Money Confusion

Basically, a lot of posts have to do with money. Hell, that is what my job is primarily about. Last night I was removed from the floor and put behind the bar. I was not happy about it. I can make better money on the floor on a Friday night. The bar on the weekends has two bartenders and you split everything fifty fifty. Wouldn't be bad, but if one of you sucks, so does the money.

I ended up being the closing bartender, which means the other one gets to leave way early. She said I could keep the tip out from the servers if I took on her work so she could just walk out the door. Naturally, I said yes. We were dead and didn't make anything. Or so I thought.

I don't get it, but I ended up making more money then I thought. Not that I am complaining mind you. It just doesn't feel like I made that much. I really need it for rent, but still, you know that feeling you get when something feels off? I got that feeling. I made the manager double check my cash out and my draw. He swears all was fine. So still in shock, but still feeling odd.

I guess I should chalk it up to total good luck and someone looking out for me. But if you read my other site, then you know that good luck is something that doesn't happen to me. If this keeps up I am going to buy a lottery ticket and see if I can truly get lucky. I will let you know if I win.

Friday Night Fights

I am pretty sure everyone at sometime has someone that they just have to yell at. Well, unfortunately with my stress level on Friday's, tonight was my night.

I have a type of claustrophobia, not sure exactly what it is called. But if I get surrounded by a large number of people and I can't move, I tend to act rudely. Some call it bitchiness, I call it get the hell out of my way syndrome. I don't like feeling crowded into a corner. Makes me defensive.

Friday and Saturday nights are the worst nights for it. Those are the nights that we have such a huge amount of servers on the floor. The dish pit is the easiest place to get pinned in at. So after about six times getting pinned in a corner, my stress level is at it's max.

Well, someone decided to take the coffee pot out onto the floor, what the didn't bother to do is check to see if the coffee pot was done brewing. Next thing you know there is a huge mess. I was cleaning it up and talking about it to one of the other servers. Basically complaining about someone being stupid. The person returns and we tell him, "Hey, you took the coffee pot before it was done brewing. Duh!" A fourth server decides to get snotty with me, for telling the male server about his mistake. Wasn't a good idea. So I basically told her to butt out, I wasn't talking to her. Like I said, on Friday's, I can be a real bitch. So she decided to call me a Bitch. I don't really care. I am one. Not gonna lie. So we started to get into an argument. She tried to act like she had the right to but into my conversation and I let her know it was none of her business.

Much milder then the fight I got into the other night with "Mr. Know-It-All". You know the one I mentioned in the past. He tried to act all high and mighty with me, like he is Mr. Perfect, when in actuality he is Mr. Suck Up. I pretty much stopped that one before it got out of hand. I just told him to shut the fuck up. My boss was standing there and heard the whole conversation and told him to shut up too. Was rather funny. But so glad I was in the right.

Being a server, you never lack for drama.