The Devil in the Details

Yesterday, I took the opportunity to go to confession. I thought that it would be good to start off the season of lent in good fashion with a clear conscience and a brighter, more loving, outlook.

Then I went to work...

Working in the services industry is a trial for anyones patience! I know that most people do not mean to intentionally annoying, or deliberatly try to make my day miserable, however at times it does seem to be that way. So on this particular day, fresh out of the confessional with the words of the priest echoing in my head "See Christ in all and look at yourself through their eyes," I took critical notice of some of the habits of customers and thought to myself, "I think I have done that on occasion."

The habit that annoys me the most, while on the working side of things, is the habit if patrons to not listen or pay attention to what is happening in the transaction of the person in front of them in line. I (the line server who makes their food) go through describing everything and (hopefully) patiently exlpaining the foods available and offering suggestions. I will then come up to the next person in line, who, if they weren't chatting with friends or family in line, wasn't paying attention at all...at any rate, they may or may not have the basic item of their order ready, so then I have to figure out what they want and then walk through the whole process with them and explain everything ad nauseum, despite having just done so. This is a great trial on my patience! My personal record for this sort of thing is four persons in a row! After than bunch I wanted to throw in the towel and walk out the door! However, I do understand that while I say the same things over and over and over again all day long, you the customer are probably hearing my speech for the first time in a long time, if not ever.

That being said, please, don't try our patience if you don't have too! I don't think the ordering of food is a private, confidential matter, so by all means if you don't know how things are ordered at a particular resturant, listen to the person going before you and get prepared!

And yes, this lent I think I need to work on the virtue of patience...ah...so sorely lacking in that one! Lord Grant me Patience...AND HURRY!!!