This weekend, my wife and I headed out to one of our favorite restaurants. I have made reference to the location in previous post, and I like to refer to the area as prepville. I wore a typical WASPy blazer, and I added a little color with my kelly green polka dot bow tie. My wife wore a seersucker dress and pearls. She has been shy of late, and she refuses to let me post pictures of her.
Anyway, after arriving to dinner, a young kid (22 or 23) working as a waiter came over to our table. He informed me that he had read a lot about me, and he was fascinated with my business. I thanked him, and wished a good evening. Moments later, he reappeared and he began to ask me if I was hiring any new employees. I kindly gave him my card, and told him to send me a resume. At this point, I am a little annoyed, but I admired his ambition. About ten minutes later, he reappeared and began to inform me about his background. This activity persisted, and it occurred at least three more times. The kid just did not get it! My wife told me to be nice, and I refrained from rude comment. I might consider giving him a job, but he did not help his situation by continuing to bother me at dinner. Nobody, wants to be pestered by the staff at a restaurant. Oh well, maybe he will learn. Fortunately, for him, I am tender hearted by nature (even though I don't let it show always).
12 comments:
Richard- I'll have to sympathize with your unfortunate experience since I have a similar experience to share. The waiter during our weekend brunch similarly delayed my enjoyment with his pestiferous and intrusive comments.
I was having brunch with an older couple who are old family friends. We were simply catching up on life and seconds after I uttered that I bought a new condo in a nice community on the Pacific Coast, he began tossing random remarks about his orientation with the area. Like uhhh... who cares?
First of all, how fun are your duds?
Too bad your wife didn't feel like posing :(
Back 2 your persistent waiter. Once he scored your business card, you think he would've left you to your dinner.
But the squeaky wheel gets the grease & it sounds like he might've charmed you? Maybe you need someone like that working for you? Its like a pit bull attorney... I've met a few who drive me crazy, ut I'd hire them in an instant.
Interesting story, Richard. I think you handled the situation admirably. I can sympathise. Having a friendly and affable countenance, and a calm manner, I get this a lot.
What is it that propels people, such as staff, to assume assume equal footing or rank? What is it that drives people to share their intimate personal details or life story upon mere acqaintance? Is it egalitarianism? Lack of respect? Whatever it is, I find it very offensive.
I know I'm being a fuddy-duddy about this, but that's just how I roll.
Love the bow tie, BTW.
I am with Trad and Richard on this one. I was recently at the Harvard Club having drinks at the bar. The bartender was taking the position that the club was "his" and proceeded to socialize and watch the television while my glass remained empty. I was deeply offended by this and considered writing management a letter, but decided to calm down and forget about it. They will only hire another bartender who will do the same thing.
I like the bow tie! What's your business if you don't mind my asking?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article3962419.ece
I'm sadly older than you Richard, but I do find that one of the keys to enjoying yourself when confronted by the young in this way is to play the old uncle.
The young love to talk about themselves but only on their own terms I've found. Next time a young person bothers you quiz them in detail about inappropriate areas of their life.
Surely their father was furious with them for choosing Drama school? And what did their mother say when they saw their pierced nose?
My chums and I make a game out of this and award each other various points for a blush (2,) a squirm of embarrassment (5), or a nervous stammer (10).
That's Entertainment!
Ol' Russell.
THE WORDS OF A GENTLEMAN?
"Fortunately, for him, I am tender hearted by nature..." That statement is embarrassingly self-congratulatory. No gentleman would ever say such a pretentious thing even in his prayers much less write it. "He was fascinated with my business." Was he? It must be very grand. You were "pestered" and "annoyed" and yet with your characteristic noblesse you "admired his ambition" and "might consider giving him a job." That's rather transparent and hardly gracious.
The waiter was young, ambitious, overly eager and likely anxious but he was not quite so self-important and snobbish that he went home that night and blogged about his own "tender heartedness" and self-restraint all the while recounting the bad manners of another with excruciating detail.
The mark of a gentleman is that he often ignores and always forgives and forgets the social failings of others almost immediately. He does not use his advantage of better manners, maturity or success to remind others of what they may lack.
Moreover, a gentleman is polite but direct. If the waiter's behavior was as egregious as you suggest you might simply have told him you and your wife were looking forward to a quite dinner without a word about business. Thank him for his enthusiasm but insist you and he discuss it no further until after he made an appointment with your office.
You claim that by saying nothing to the waiter you were being nice. You saved your not so nice for later didn't you? Clucking on and on about how a pushy waiter spoilt your supper while you and your "tender heart" endured in silence is precious and gossipy.
It is true one may be a WASP and not a gentlemen. Lucky you.
Hello.
My wife for you and good luck and happy chic Pvshtan am.
Hey Richard, I've never heard of you or what you do, but your style is dope! I'm actually feeling this as my new fall wardrobe, I was wondering have you taken any pictures of females WASPS? Maybe I'll submit mine. I was inspired by the jonas Brothers who although I do not share the same taste in music, love the modern twist they've put on it.
Hey Richard, I've never heard of you or what you do, but your style is dope! I'm actually feeling this as my new fall wardrobe, I was wondering have you taken any pictures of females WASPS? Maybe I'll submit mine. I was inspired by the jonas Brothers who although I do not share the same taste in music, love the modern twist they've put on it.
I am v afraid i would have asked him to sod off, unless he was paying the bill that is. Cheers for the Bow, it certainly made me chuckle!.
Post a Comment