Yes, I've been out of range again! I apologize if anyone is reading this blog and keeps looking in with hope in their hearts that I have actually made it back to blog...here I am...better late than never!
In the time since I last wrote, I have gone to Arizona, finished cleaning out my parents' house, sold it, managed to succumb to a meniscal tear in my right knee, and come to the momentus decision that I really do want a house of my own and am in the process of torturing a very patient real estate agent with my wacky requests to tour unsuitable houses. I'm really looking forward to looking back on this time and laughing!
As you can imagine, in all this, I have subjected myself to the mercy of takeouts and restaurants. I added up what I'd spent in the last few weeks in meals out and was horrified at how much it was! In this time of cutting back and learning to be conservative, I'm out there spending like there is no tomorrow! There is a bright side to my extravegance, though. For the first time in my life, I'm trying new things and learning to discern what's merely expensive and what's really worth the money. I'm also learning that some of the best meals are still only moderately expensive and there are young people in the workforce that understand the need for pride and ownership in the workplace.
With all the stress and upheaval going on right now, I finally had had enough the other night and called and told my loving family that if I didn't get out for a meal by myself and read for a time, I would be homicidal! At that point, I drove around and looked for something new and different that would tempt my worn out palate. After spending a gallon or two in gas, I headed back to one of the major chain restaurants that specialize in reproduced elegance and moderately priced upscale meals. It was one of the busier nights and I knew I'd have to wait. Not only was it crowded, but dinner is always noisier in these places than lunch time. I was determined, though, and waited it out. I was shown to my table and seated. My waiter came up, introduced himself, and took my drink order. I perused the menu, not sure what I wanted. Usually when I go I try to have seafood of some kind or something a little different. I just couldn't decide. When he came back, which took a little bit, he asked if I needed help. I hesitated and then decided to jump in. "Ok, what do you suggest?" It was one of their specials and I asked him if he would actually choose this for himself and he said he would. I told him I'd give it a try.
The suggestion was spot on. When I went to try the first bite, it was so hot I couldn't get near it and had to wait for some time for it to cool enough to taste. I expected him to be hovering over my shoulder waiting like they all do for my mouth to fill so they can ask me a question. Even after the fourth bite I was alone with my food and book. When he did appear, he timed it when I was able to talk. He checked to see how I liked his suggestion and then he went away. I wasn't constantly bothered by the usual jack-in-the-box service you get in these restaurants. He checked one more time before my meal finished. Afterward, I wanted to let my meal settle and decide whether I could shoehorn in any dessert, so he packed the rest of my meal away for me and let me read for a long time. When he did check back, he suggested coffee and/or dessert and I thought that coffee might be in order to finish and prolong the visit. I asked him what he'd have coffee-wise and I went with his suggestion again. It was the perfect end to a suprisingly perfect meal and when he came to give my change, we chatted a few minutes and I learned he had been doing this sort of work for 6 years! He had started out as a student, gone on to finish college, then went back to waiting to subsidize his further education. He seemed proud of what he did, in all parts of his job, and he really took an interest in the product that he served. For someone as young as he was, he had the demeanor and the ethics of someone much older.
My point here is that in this age of the fast food, high turnover rate of young and rude alike that we are forced to beg meals from, it is so refreshing to meet someone who treats his job like a career. He doesn't pile out of his car three minutes before he's due to work, shirt hanging out, shoes dusty and pants wrinkled. He doesn't grunt a greeting as he clocks in and then hides in a storeroom or dark corner of the dining area for thirty minutes until someone catches up to him and forces him to put on a fake smile and drag himself around, begging for tips and flirting condescendingly with elderly women. I know this young man won't be popping up thirty seconds after the food arrives to ask how it is.
This is one of many lessons in life that I'm glad I had!
1 comment:
Post a Comment