Just say no
Wednesday, June 29th, 2005 ~ 1:09 am
No.
Two letters.
Not very difficult to say.
Probably one of the first words I learned as a kid. Right after Hot Dog.
And yet as an adult I find it so hard to use it when it should be so easy. Why is that? Have I forced myself to believe that I should avoid confrontation? That I should not rock the boat? That OK just gets things done quicker and with less headache? Is it because I’m a woman and should be somewhat submissive? I’m sure there is a yes hidden away in all those questions. But I am proud to say that this is changing. It only took me 29 1/2 years but I’m finally learning. I stand up for myself now. I stand up for those around me when they have been wronged. If I receive poor service at a restaurant I complain or send things back. I don’t feel so bad when I don’t leave a tip when the waiter has been an asshole.
Actually the whole assumption that I must always leave a tip is a bit of a pet peeve with me. A tip is a direct reflection of the service I have received. Poor service is little to no tip. Great service equals a huge tip. See how it works? I can’t stand it when people tell me I *have* to tip. No, I don’t. (See that…no!) Waiters and waitresses choose their profession. A profession that deals with customers and their service directly affects how much money they make. If they don’t want to provide me with satisfactory customer service, go work at McDonalds where you don’t get tipped.
And no, I don’t care if they were having a “bad” day. If I’m a regular and know them well enough to realize this, sure I’ll chalk it up to a crappy day. But usually I’m not a regular and how do I know that they are not always assholes? Hmm? I don’t. So suck it up and fake nice. I do it all the time at work and you know what, my customers appreciate it. They don’t care if I’ve had a fight with my sisters, or if I’m having money troubles or that my dog is sick. People are narcissists…they don’t care about some strangers problems. It has nothing to do with their needs or desires so why burden them with it?
Now I’m probably going to hell because I will have been mean to someone who just found out they were dying from cancer or something. I will be known as that heartless bitch throughout the restaurant and no one will want to serve me. I will have spittle in my lasagna and maybe a pubic hair or two in my burgers. Maybe I should rethink this no tipping position. Nah.
So where was I? Oh yeah talking about no. Sorry for going off on a rant there. Wait! Actually, I’m not sorry. Damn I’m always apologizing. That’s another thing I need to work on. Stop saying sorry all the time and start saying No. Or I could just combine them…I am NOT sorry. I have that on a label at work. It’s supposed to stop me from becoming another mindless drone controlled through abuse and fear. It might be working, not sure yet.
Now I should get back to my orders and quotes. Put the smiley face on so I can call my customers and ask for money.
