Server Dreams!

I can tell that I've been working too much when I start having server dreams. My usual one is that I keep walking past all the tables that have menus but that I haven't had time to say hello to yet. Then I go back to the kitchen and it takes be 20 minutes to gets drinks for one table! I keep thinking "why is it taking me so damn long to get these drinks?" I feel my blood pressure raise and the temperature in the room increasing, then my manager comes up to me and says, "Bobbe, you know you have all the tables upstairs too right?"

If you haven't seen to movie Waiting you should really check it out especially if you have ever served before. There is a lot in that movie that is too close to the truth. Work last night really reminded me of it. A cook didn't show up for work so management was really pissy, steaks were being over cooked at almost every table and cook times in general were over 45 minutes. We had to comp off at least 5 tables entire meals and offer free desert to half a dozen other tables. It was just pure hell. I was closing and since it is spring break, all our older (better) servers are on vacation. Our very young staff tried hard, but there was yelling, crying, and lots of foul language. All we could do after work was grab a beer and laugh about how upset we get over tables that will be out of our lives in 45 minutes.

I was reading mommak's blog today and she said that she gave her bull shit instructor the middle finger during a warm-up exercise and it made me laugh. When I deal with a table that is just over the top rude, I usually find a way to put the check down, pick up dishes, or wrap up food with my middle finger just so slightly pointing in their direction!

Just a word of caution, it isn't smart to piss off someone who touches your food!