Venom In The Pudding! When an employee says, "It's not my job"
One would be wise never to utter the venomous words, "It's not my job", when working in a restaurant, unless they want to be executed with a garrote.
I remain reticent while Christo, unloads his pain onto me. He nervously twirls a glass of bourbon between his fingers, served neat, as he banefully groans out his woes. I can see he is seconds away from belting out a Bach cantata - the urge, the anger within him is so strong, it could easily rip out his vocal cords.
“It’s Memorial Day weekend for cryin’ out loud, the front of the house is jammed, we’re in the thick of it. We’re in the weeds big time! “I’m the owner and everything here “is” my job, even washing the dishes, if need be.” Every time I give instructions, they shoot back with, “It’s not my job”.
“The kitchen’s in a sweltering lather. I’m noticing everything that wasn’t done. I’m thinking, “Where the hell is my manager? I pay him to work, to do his job.” Right now, I’m guessing, he’s ducked out back for a bloody smoke break again, with his lazy ass server girlfriend. I hope it’s just a smoke break and nothing else. That toothsome bi*ch! The one whose been raiding tables from other servers, he has the audacity to ignore it. She keeps spilling out subtle hints to my guests. She thinks if she plays the “poor me” pity card, she’ll get bigger gratuities. If she did her job right - she’d get better tips. She spouts off about how she’s fallen on hard times and has 3 kids to feed, all have different fathers. Penelope, ya think maybe, my crew thinks, I’m blind or stupid?” I shake my head, knowing full well, now isn’t the time to respond. He’s too hot with rage.
“Penelope, I’m still reeling from an episode we had this afternoon with a Navy veteran. It’s my standard policy to comp meals for Veterans on Memorial Day. The man went so far as to flash his credentials. When the server went to get the authorization for the comp, my manager refused, saying the Vet looked like a rent-a-cop and it wasn’t his job, to validate I.D. The server came to me and I sorted it out. I’ve ignored his hubristic attitude towards guests in military uniform once too often - it’s my fault. I let him get away with murder because I need him.” Christo clues me in, letting me know, he already knows the answer to his own question.
Penelope’s take! Silence is acceptance even in a court of law. Most of Christo’s problems are with him being an indecisive leader, so he remains silent. One of the most caustic afflictions to those who lead, is the “I want everyone to like me” syndrome. It is fatal and will never work. It is far more productive for one to be respected, NOT feared or even liked. It’s all about how one chooses to delegate and respond, which should always be respectful but explicitly clear, direct and unchallenged. “Either spur the horse, or get off the damn saddle.”
No matter what position one plays in a restaurant. Everything, with the exception of the till, authorizations, and purchasing is everyone’s job. All staff and crew on board, are expected to muck in and help each other, even when it’s outside their job description domain. The only exception is, when asked to perform a job which could cause bodily harm. This is the nature of the beast when working in the food and beverage sector.
As for daring to mouth the words, “It’s not my job”. Do it at your own risk, then be prepared to deal with the ramifications! Call me, so I can watch what happens to you with relish and delight!
Caio for now,
Pen
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LE PEN ~ SPECIAL FEATURE Taste for Travel
LE PEN ~ SPECIAL FEATURE An Epicurean Voyage to Sicily: East Coastal & Baroque Sicily, Oct 9-17, 2011
Dear Friends ~
I am delighted by your enthused responses regarding the Epicurean Voyage to Sicily, October 2011.
You have all expressed that you 'may be attending’ this event and I very much hope to meet you in person in Catania this October.
If you are committed to making this journey, then owing to the limited number of seats (16 persons only), please enroll immediately with the required Registration form and Deposit/s to reserve your space.
The Registration form is available on my website – Epicurean Registration
Alternately, email me at weavethousandflavors@gmail.com and I can send you the Registration form in pdf. format.
My excitement knows no bounds at the prospect of setting off on this incredible culinary journey with you and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Your queries are always welcome, weavethousandflavors@gmail.com
Thank You for your support and encouragement.
Best,
Devaki Das
http://www.facebook.com/l/f7009U2ZzVszKum7A_8nzyUFAUw/www.weavethousandflavors.com
(c) 2010 ptsaldari.posterous.com : PTsaldari Group Inc. | The Art of Serving Well | Serve Me Well Inc. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared on ptsaldari.posterous.com blog authored by PTsaldari. This article may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it. Email: ptsaldari@gmail.com
