Hi Everyone,
Do you all remember the last story I told about the couple who were arguing with each other, never ate their food, and left without paying for their food? Yah, well, the story doesn't end there. My manager later told me how the epic ended. Apparently, they came back in 45 minutes after I left work to get their food and pay for their bill. Of course, my manager informed them that their food had been thrown away because they had been gone for about a total of 1 hour! They told my manager that they had been outside smoking and fully intended on coming back in. Keep in mind, that I had waited about 20 minutes after they left to leave the restaurant myself! Plenty of time to smoke a cigarette...don't you think? Anyways, they ended up ordering their food again (this time to-go) and paying for their new meal.
My take: I do believe that the couple must have worked things out in their relationship. And I am glad that they were able to work their problems out, but I do wish that they hadn't brought their problems to my work. Look at how much trouble it caused for themselves, for Red Robin (who purchased their 1st meal), and for myself. I maintain that restaurants are not the place to work out relationship issues! And I must admit that I initially felt like an idiot for trusting him to return after smoking a single cigarette, so I was extremely relieved to have found that my trust in his character did not prove to be entirely wrongly placed. I acknowledge it wasn't the best decision on my part, but, what the hay, making the best decisions that night wasn't a popular choice for anyone involved in this epic of a drama.
The End.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Serving Changes
Wow! "Serving Changes" I just felt that title drop into my mind from my heart, and my fingers just typed it out faster than I could decide if I wanted to use it or not. It's a perfect title, really. But where do I begin?I don't know, so I'll just begin!
There are A LOT of changes that Jonathan and I have experienced with the move we made from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma. Yes, we are still in the same country, but sometimes it's hard to believe that simple fact is even true. The one thing I didn't really expect to be that different was serving. I mean it's the same job right? I thought that would be my easiest transition in coming here...I mean serving food is a pretty straight forward job right? Right? Haha...silly me. You see...even within a large company like Red Robin there are a lot of variations among the restaurants. The menu is mostly the same with the exception of a few regional variations, but, as with anything, it is the people that make the difference. So here's my story.
It was my last table of the night. They were a young couple who claimed to be servers themselves. I looked forward to talking to them and laughing with them about "server stuff." The laughing never happened. After the couple placed their order for an appetizer and burgers, I take note that they are arguing with each other. It becomes obvious that the young man is confronting the girl about some issues in their now precarious relationship. Their appetizer arrives...they won't look at me. The onion rings sit for 10 minutes before the girl eats one. The burgers arrive...nothing more is eaten for another 30 minutes. I check on them...they still won't look at me. About 50 minutes after they first arrived, I notice that the girl has left the table(presumably, to use the restroom), so I take the opportunity to offer to-go boxes and their check. The man accepted the offer and even requested to-go drinks and offered me his Red Robin Royalty card with which he had a free burger towards his meal.
As he handed me the Royalty Card he said, "I would like to go outside and smoke, is that okay?" Thinking the guy just had a really rough night and was stressed and, also, that the girl was in the restroom, I respond with..."Yah, that's fine. I have your Royalty Card, so I'll know you be back!" Anyways, I wait another 15 minutes, before realizing the guy wasn't coming back and the girl wasn't in the restroom and that I had been left with a $25 check! Thankfully, my manager did not make me pay for their meal, but he just as easily could have. I don't, honestly, believe that the two came in with the intention of not paying. I think it was a bad decision made by the guy who just broke up with his girlfriend, but it was still wrong. He must have thought that since she wasn't his girlfriend anymore he shouldn't have to pay for her meal! Thanks, Buddy! Moral of the story: Don't discuss relationship problems in a restaurant, it's just rude and provides opportunity for you to make terrible decisions. So, yes, the people make the difference in a restaurant's atmosphere, but let me tell you that people everywhere have one thing in common: They are all crazy!
Also, I love how the Spirit gave me these thoughts about serving. You see, serving changes the one who serves and the ones who are served. It makes me think of how Jesus, the son of God, chose to be servant of all. As a matter of fact, Jesus has a lot to say about serving others. The first thing that comes to my mind, though, is the story found in John 13:3-17. It shows the heart of our Lord and Savior that He came to serve us...out of love, and He shows that the person who also serves others in love are happy. How awesome is it that Jesus set such an example of humility when he washed his disciples feet? The best leaders are those who live a life of service to those they lead.
There are A LOT of changes that Jonathan and I have experienced with the move we made from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma. Yes, we are still in the same country, but sometimes it's hard to believe that simple fact is even true. The one thing I didn't really expect to be that different was serving. I mean it's the same job right? I thought that would be my easiest transition in coming here...I mean serving food is a pretty straight forward job right? Right? Haha...silly me. You see...even within a large company like Red Robin there are a lot of variations among the restaurants. The menu is mostly the same with the exception of a few regional variations, but, as with anything, it is the people that make the difference. So here's my story.
It was my last table of the night. They were a young couple who claimed to be servers themselves. I looked forward to talking to them and laughing with them about "server stuff." The laughing never happened. After the couple placed their order for an appetizer and burgers, I take note that they are arguing with each other. It becomes obvious that the young man is confronting the girl about some issues in their now precarious relationship. Their appetizer arrives...they won't look at me. The onion rings sit for 10 minutes before the girl eats one. The burgers arrive...nothing more is eaten for another 30 minutes. I check on them...they still won't look at me. About 50 minutes after they first arrived, I notice that the girl has left the table(presumably, to use the restroom), so I take the opportunity to offer to-go boxes and their check. The man accepted the offer and even requested to-go drinks and offered me his Red Robin Royalty card with which he had a free burger towards his meal.
As he handed me the Royalty Card he said, "I would like to go outside and smoke, is that okay?" Thinking the guy just had a really rough night and was stressed and, also, that the girl was in the restroom, I respond with..."Yah, that's fine. I have your Royalty Card, so I'll know you be back!" Anyways, I wait another 15 minutes, before realizing the guy wasn't coming back and the girl wasn't in the restroom and that I had been left with a $25 check! Thankfully, my manager did not make me pay for their meal, but he just as easily could have. I don't, honestly, believe that the two came in with the intention of not paying. I think it was a bad decision made by the guy who just broke up with his girlfriend, but it was still wrong. He must have thought that since she wasn't his girlfriend anymore he shouldn't have to pay for her meal! Thanks, Buddy! Moral of the story: Don't discuss relationship problems in a restaurant, it's just rude and provides opportunity for you to make terrible decisions. So, yes, the people make the difference in a restaurant's atmosphere, but let me tell you that people everywhere have one thing in common: They are all crazy!
Also, I love how the Spirit gave me these thoughts about serving. You see, serving changes the one who serves and the ones who are served. It makes me think of how Jesus, the son of God, chose to be servant of all. As a matter of fact, Jesus has a lot to say about serving others. The first thing that comes to my mind, though, is the story found in John 13:3-17. It shows the heart of our Lord and Savior that He came to serve us...out of love, and He shows that the person who also serves others in love are happy. How awesome is it that Jesus set such an example of humility when he washed his disciples feet? The best leaders are those who live a life of service to those they lead.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Serving...Again.
Okay, Okay. So it has been a long while since I last updated this blog. Well, that's life. :) I have to admit, though, that I miss writing in general; therefore, I have decided this would be a good place to start writing again. So, I hope you will find what I choose to share here on this blog with you both entertaining and meaningful. Later this week, I will post my first "real" post in which the format will be pretty consistent with what I have posted in the past. As for today's post I am going to attempt to bring everybody up to date with my life and why I am serving...again.
1. I married my best friend, Jonathan, this past January.
2. I quit working at Pizza Hut in January.
3. I started working at Red Robin in January.
4. I quit working at Red Robin in July.
5. We moved across country in August to attend a Bible school.
6. I wanted to never have to be a waitress again when I began the job search at our new location.
7. God changed my heart and mind...and in the process I was humbled.
8. I began serving at Red Robin (Again!) in September.
Welcome to the updated status of my life!
Final thought for today: Although, I had hoped never to be a waitress again, I am not disappointed in where following God has brought me. As a matter of fact, being a server allows me to meet and influence people all the time! What better service than to be able to show Christ's love? As a matter of fact this scripture will be my motto as I continue in this career choice(and any other vocation I find myself called to): "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23 AMP
1. I married my best friend, Jonathan, this past January.
2. I quit working at Pizza Hut in January.
3. I started working at Red Robin in January.
4. I quit working at Red Robin in July.
5. We moved across country in August to attend a Bible school.
6. I wanted to never have to be a waitress again when I began the job search at our new location.
7. God changed my heart and mind...and in the process I was humbled.
8. I began serving at Red Robin (Again!) in September.
Welcome to the updated status of my life!
Final thought for today: Although, I had hoped never to be a waitress again, I am not disappointed in where following God has brought me. As a matter of fact, being a server allows me to meet and influence people all the time! What better service than to be able to show Christ's love? As a matter of fact this scripture will be my motto as I continue in this career choice(and any other vocation I find myself called to): "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23 AMP
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