so after getting back from rwanda i was completely broke and immediately (two days later) got a job at this great restaurant in blowing rock, the touristy town near boone, nc. its kinda upscale comfort food and i thought the tips would be quick money as i could work in the evenings at the restaurant and work on the house during the day. my mother brought me dress clothes from hickory and apparently stopped at the thrift store to complement the button-downs that had hung in my closet and hadnt been wore since sunday school in middle school. she decided on a pair of sheer, shiny polyester "ACTION SLACKS" and billowy white shirt with ruffles (think chris farley in the snl chippendales skit). needless to say i was looking good.
anyway i was told that after 4 shifts i would be trained as a server and making tips but for now i would make 7.25$. the drive from mtn city, tn to blowing rock is 45min so i figured i was breaking even on the commute. after 3 weeks still making 7.25$ i was starting to question the profitability of this venture. incidentally, restaurant work sucks, no matter how personable your coworkers are they immediately turn hostile as soon as the shift starts.
i was taught as a child that a good worker anticipates the next step and looks to figure out the system and plug him/herself in where they see fit. this approach has served me well in the past as i like to think myself a hard worker and the remaining parts of my small brain work fairly well. i was given the job of "running" food to the tables but when there was no food i would busy myself cleaning or assisting the servers. the mantra in the food business being "if you got time to lean you got time to clean" so i was constantly working.
yesterday i was asked to sit down with the managers. as i waited i looked over the upcoming schedule and noticed my name marked through "huh strange" i thought. the managers started off "im not good with confrontations", "uh oh this sounds not good" they questioned my dedication to the job to which i responded "well this isnt really in my career path but im happy here." they said that i seemed disinterested and couldnt stay focused on any given task. i explained i felt it inefficient to stand around waiting for food if i could be doing other things. apparently thats not what they wanted to hear. they also mentioned that on my first shift as host assistant i came in and instead of meeting with the host i started folding linens and silverware. apparently working without being told is a no-no. oops. so i asked if my style of work isnt satisfactory then maybe its best if i dont work here anymore and that she should come out and say it. to which she nodded. so i took my 35$ weekly check, shook their hands and left a little stunned but not all together disappointed.
what should i do?
ps anyone need a chippendales costume for halloween?
sincerely,
broke and stunned
