"Umm...excuse me, we need more bread for our table," was an often reiterated line from my tables during a serving job I had during college. It wasn't the phrase that bothered me, it was the tone in which it was said. It always seemed to have an attitude attached with it, "Umm...EXCUSE me," was emphasized as if they had been neglected in the past three minutes that I had been away from their table getting their drink order. Let's face it, you don't NEED more bread, you WANT it. We live in an American society that has taught us to continuously put calories in our mouths when we go out to eat. The bread at the beginning of the meal is meant to hold off the appetite until the food arrives. It is not meant for you to stuff in your bellies the equivalent of what would feed a third world country after an earthquake.
It is amazing how demanding and ungrateful the vast majority of the population can be. I have to admit, I have been guilty of this at times. We all have. How many times have we been irritable with a cashier because the line at a store was too long? Or been frustrated with a friend or family member that was giving you a ride and wasn't there the minute that you were ready to be picked up? Granted, we all have days where our patience runs thin; but have you ever stopped to think who you are taking it out on?
I received a lot of negativity as a waitress, but I also remember the select few who had a positive effect on me. There was a quiet man sitting on my table ten one day. He liked his food a certain way, but didn't make a huge fuss about anything. I remember talking to him about the book he was reading, and the bookmark he had. The bookmark had the lyrics of "Amazing Grace" scripted in a deep burgundy against a yellow gold background. I told him how my mother used to sing me that song as a lullaby every night when I was a little girl. He not only left me a tip, but he also left me the bookmark with a note for me on it. He didn't realize that my managers had been hard on me earlier that shift, I will never forget him and the affect he had on me. Quick smiles, and small compliments have uplifted me dramatically; while snobbish attitude and snide remarks darken my mood just as instantly.
Treat everyone as if they were having a bad day. Try actually paying attention to the person ringing you up in a line at a food or clothing store. Ask how their day is, smile. Watch someone's face when you talk to them in a positive way. Be grateful to those that serve you, not only strangers, but also friends and family. Although it may be a job or responsibility to serve you, they could serve you better or worse than they are serving you now. You never know what has happened in their lives. Try to bring out the best in everyone. You are not above anyone. Those that serve you may or may not be less educated, smart or wealthy than you. I have met people in customer service from all backgrounds. In a Utopian society, it is those that serve and work the small jobs that make everything possible. They are the cornerstone to our country's success.
Show gratitude, write thank you notes to those that do things for you. Smile and speak words of encouragement. You will be surprised at how much more bread you will get in your basket when you say, "thank you for the bread, may I please have some more when you get a chance?"
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