by Matthew D » Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:14 am
This story, which disparages a chain (without specifically naming it) should please those people who don't like chains...
I've mentioned once before one this forum that I worked out a locally owned(at least I think it still is) regional chain when I graduated college (that's what two liberal arts degrees gets you!*). I was working just about every shift of the week, as I needed the cash, was in a long distance relationship, didn't have much else to do at the time, and I needed the cash. When I was hired, the manager said, "You are overqualified and won't make it here, but I don't really have much to lose by hiring you." That was about 6 months before this incident.
So, local chain (casual dining) was implementing a food server system that involved hand-held POSIs (however you spell that). I was a server on the floor the night this happened. Had a rather unruly section that was not behaving itself in general, mostly due to poor service relating to the roll-out of this poorly-planed, (but long-term financially beneficial) new handheld system. I was about done with this job and most people new it. One table was literally pushing me over the edge that very night. Not the most cultured family (being friendly here), and they were none-to-happy that the "free" munchies were not being refilled on a regular basis. At one point one of the sons (there were three unruly ones total), started jumping up and down on the bench, yelling: "Get me more chips!" Over, and over, and over...
I walked over to the table and had the following conversation(paraphrased):
Me: Sir, could you please calm your son down, as he is disturbing the other guests.
Father: It seems like you could calm him down if you did your job and went and got more chips.
Me : (instead of explaining the new "system," as that was not going to get me anywhere): It seems to me that you could tell him to calm down regardless of whether or not I got him chips.
At this point, the kid is in my face yelling at me.
Me: Sir, either you calm your son down or I will do it for you.
Him: Are you telling me how to parent me child?
Me: That's one way to see it.
Him: Son, I think we need to take this to the parking lot.
Me: I'd love to. You've caught me on completely the wrong day. Let's do this.
At this point, I'm tackled/drug away by the corporate regional manager, who had come across this little disagreement. In talking out our differences in the take-out room, we almost come to blows ourselves. Amazingly, I'm not fired on the spot. Reasons give includes "I would have accepted his offer too" and the "we should fire you, but we need you since everyone else is leaving." I was given a three-day "cooling off" period, i.e. suspension.
When I came back three days later, I was in street clothes. Told them I was quitting and told them where to send my paycheck. Before I could leave, two managers, the GM, and the RM all tried to convince me to stay. Seems if you have half a brain and are willing to work 80 hours a week (kind of explains the half a brain idea, I guess. Man was I a sucker), you can get away with anything in corporate dining.
* Not meant as a cheap shot at the serving business, which I greatly respect due to my non-success at it. Just a shot at a certain unnamed chain.
Thinks the frosty mug is the low point in American history.