23 June 2011

New, Temporary Job

I started a job at a catering company in the beginning of June. I have been in retail my entire working life and am actually pretty good at it. I like people, I enjoy helping, and I remember a lot of what people tell me so that I can better help them and so that they feel like I really paid attention to them when they come back. I am personable and that is what gets me hired nine times out of ten even though every boss I have ever had has told me that I need to talk slower.
Even with all of this being true, I have avoided food service for my entire working life. I have avoided it because I am the dictionary definition of clutz. If you open it, my picture is next to the word. No definition, just my picture. I realize I am being a little hyperbolic, but it is almost that bad. Before the first party I helped open up the place for the season. I spilled soapy water all over the floors, juice, I dropped things and dripped ketchup all over myself.
The boss is extraordinarily patient and just explains to me how she would prefer things done. I do my best to listen to her because she really does not like things done differently than what she has told you. It tells her that either you were not listening or you do not respect her enough to consider her words or time worth anything. They are both bad, one is not better than the other. Either way you have proven to her that she made a mistake in hiring you. This is always something to avoid.
The people that work there are gems. Each has their own issues, as we all do, but they are generally nice people who do their best to work hard and make their time there worth something. I realize there are people out there who will show up to work, not pull their weight and then accept a paycheck without any guilt or remorse. The people at my current job are not like that, at all. I thank God for that.