I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

The patriarchy is alive and well and living in the restaurant business.

I’ve known this since before I was born.

It plays out often in my current restaurant. Tonight was such a night.

I can’t speak to if it’s true once a person gets seated, but it is absofuckinglutely true at the host stand.

First, if I’m at the host stand helping, I’m the one who is addressed.

Always.

Regardless of whether I speak first, I am at the I-pad, or if I’m across the room.

Often if a guest is getting snippy with the 19 year old female host, their entire demeanor changes when I come around the corner and ask if I can help.

Our female hosts inside, get yelled at often because of a lack of parking, meanwhile, our 6’6”male host who works on the patio gets nothing but politeness, when people are trying to find parking.

I could go on. It’s all day. Everyday. And it pisses me off.

I can say, the cruelty directed at the hosts stopped when I started. Olivia, who worked with us last summer has commented on that saying that she has been yelled at less this summer. It also helps that the rules are followed by everyone now. No one gets special treatment.

About a week before I started last year, an older man called two hosts stupid bitches. They got chef and he came out and explained to the guy that he would not be seated until he apologized. He did. When I was told this last summer, I knew that he’d have my back when I stop that kind of behavior.

Meanwhile friends.

Check yourselves.

Do you address the man when a woman is clearly in charge?

Do you treat the 19 year old girl differently than the 57 year old man?

Do you act aggressively toward women when you’d never do that to a man?

Are you generally an asshole when there is no need to be…especially when you are interacting with a woman.

If so, take a deep breath and say to yourself, I am the problem here.

And fix it.

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

I over slept today.

By 2 hours.

I knew this day would come. And today was the day.

We did go to be late last night. Or I should say early this morning.

Adam didn’t have to be at work at his normal time so he stayed up watching TV. He was asleep on the couch when I got home.

I did all of my Friday night chores. Yes, I have a different list for each day. I enjoy doing them. I like keeping our house nice and neat. And the cats like it that I scoop the litter every day.

I then made dinner. I used to eat dinner before my shift at work. But I found that scarfing food in 4 minutes, while people ask you questions was far from enjoyable. I eat when I get home now.

I make dinner, and I eat it at my computer in my office, which I’m actively using for the first time since we moved in 7 years ago. I enjoy it a lot. My dinner. My office. My computer.

I eat, and read the news, read reviews of the restaurant, etc.

Once I’m finished eating, I write whatever posts I’m writing for the night.

Last night I finished up around 2:00. Cleaned up my dinner dishes and joined Adam on the couch.

I watched TV and read Facebook.

It was about 3:30 or 4:00 when I woke him up to go to bed.

Our lights were out by 4:30.

Yes, this is late, but not really when the alarm won’t go off until 11:30.

Except.

I didn’t set my alarm last night.

We turned off the lights, and I was asleep in about 15 seconds. And it was a restful sleep. And I didn’t wake up all night.

And I was still sleeping when Adam called. He was concerned as I didn’t call him on my way to work. I dial his number when I’m leaving the house. Sometimes we talk. Often he sends me to voicemail because he can’t talk. He is at work after all.

I hear the phone ringing this morning, pick it up and wonder why the hell he is calling when he knows I like to sleep.

I look at the phone again and realize that I am seeing the time as well.

It’s 1:45. It’s 2 hours past alarm time. And I’m currently 45 minutes late for work.

Here’s the thing. I still have to shower, which will take 15 minutes.

And it’s a 45 minute drive to work the minute I start my car.

I got to work at 2:45. An hour forty-five late.

I did text my boss before I left to say I was on my way.

I got there and hit the ground running. Luckily messages were only 20. And I was able to get everything I HAVE to do before service starts.

However, Saturdays and Sundays are the days I get caught up from the week. So I did not get all any those things done today.

Chef only asked what happened. He laughed when I told him. He knows I like to sleep. He’s awake at 6:30 every morning, no matter his bedtime.

I’m a sleeper. I could and would sleep till 4:00 every day if I didn’t have responsibilities. During Covid shut down, I hardly ever got out of bed till 3:00.

Sleep truly is the most glorious thing in the world.

I like to think that when I die, it will be like sleep forever.

At least I hope so.