Vapid Waitress- An Unemployment Story

Today we splurged a little and took the kids to lunch. Our 4 year old had been super well behaved during a 2 and a half hour insurance appointment in the morning so we decided he deserved a treat. We went to one of those sushi on a conveyor belt places. It tickles our 4 year old to hunt his food and catch it! Anyhoo, we walked in the door and a young pretty girl greeted us. We'll call her Spacey. Here's the conversation that commenced:

Spacey: How Many? (I'm gonna let that one go as I understand that this is a question she most likely has to ask.)
Me: 2 adults 2 children so 4 altogether (NO. I'm not a smart ass)
Spacey: 3 then? (WTF?!)
Me: Well, 4.
Spacey: **Blink. Blink** Okay. Do you wanna booth?
Me: If you have a booth on the conveyor belt because my son likes to watch the food go by.
Spacey: **Blink. Blink. Blank Stare.**
Me: Ooooooooor we could sit on the regular chairs on the belt line.
Spacey: Okay. (The look on her face was utter confusion)

Spacey then led us over to some chairs on the belt line.

Spacey: Is this gonna be okay?
Me: This is perfect. Thank you. Can I get a high chair for the baby please? (Shut up. I really DO use manners)
Spacey: Do you wanna booster seat?
Me: **Blink. Blink.** (Now I'm doing it) Ummmm, no. I need a high chair for the baaaaaybeeee.
Spacey: Oh.

So here's the deal folks. I really hate bad customer service. I have spent years in customer service fields and have trained classes on customer service. But it doesn't even take all that to know how to treat people when they are your customers. Therefore I get really annoyed when people in customer service fields are complete jack holes or don't understand how important their jobs are to the customers they are serving.

This was also my stance on the situation long before I was unemployed. But with the economy being the mess that it is and so many Americans out looking for a job each day (raises hand) it is even more inexcusable to me that anyone would be less than 100% at their jobs. Specifically when your job is to seat people and get them drinks. They get their own food that this place! So literally the job is smile, count the bodies, move them to a location that fits them, and get them a drink. Dunzo.

Before I lost my job due to bed rest I would constantly remind my employees that when we have bad days at work, we should be grateful for them because it meant we had a job. This recession has been televised. It's been talked about. It's hit people all around us. Not a single person should just be hearing about it. So while I'm sure this girl got the job greatly in part due to her ability to check the "cute" box on the application, I expect more. I expect you to respect not only your customers but the fact that YOU HAVE A JOB. It is a gift. Show up for it and be your best at it. Period.