I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

I’ve debated whether to write this story, as I generally don’t write stories about my current job.  

But this one is about me so I think it’s fair.  

On Wednesday, I got home from work early.  

4:00 early.  

I had one thing on my mind. 

A nap.  A two-hour nap.  Before Adam got home to make dinner.  

Seriously, it’s been a while since I’ve napped.  

As I was getting settled on the couch, I get a text from my boss, asking me to take a look and see if I can find an opening for a 7-top on Friday night.  

I open up the Open Table app and I take a look.  We were already busy from the guest count.  Chelsea Handler was going to be in town at our big auditorium, and that always drives business.

I look at all the options.

He reached out to me, because I pride myself on never saying no.  My job is to always get a butt in seat.  

I look, and look to no avail.  

However, as I’m looking at tables I can move, I click on reservations with notes.  

It’s my husband’s birthday can we get a candle.

Quiet table in the back. 

We’d like to be inside if anything opens up.  

Coming from work, might be a few minutes late.

If Jeff Fightmaster is working, please cancel the reservations.  

URRRRRKKKKKK!!!!

What the fucking fuck???? 

I read it again.  Surely, it’s someone I know joking.  

I don’t recognize the name. 

I google them.  Nada.

I look for them on social media.  Nada.

I screen shot the reservation and reach out to Adam to see what he thinks.  

I do the same to my friend Laura.  

Both say to ignore it.    

I delete the comment. 

And decide I’ll ignore them.    

To be honest.  

It’s not the way life works. 

There are lots of people who don’t like me in the world.  There are daresay LOTS of people in Maine who don’t like me.  

However, you need to keep that dislike in your lane.  

Not mine.  

If I’ve done something to offend you, confront me.  Or ignore me.  Or just don’t come to where I work. 

But you don’t get to be a mean girl.  

I did not cancel the reservation.

I did not call them.

I ignored them.  

The reservation time came tonight and five minutes after they should have been there, the phone rings.  It’s them.  I don’t answer.  I give the phone to the host.  

She answers and they tell her they need to cancel.  

Good for them.  

She hangs up and says they were nice, but they weren’t coming.  

The night ended without incident.

I will say, that I was anxious all night.  And I hated that I was letting them get to me.  In the nine months I’ve been at my new job, I haven’t had an issue with anyone. 

At my old job, everyone hated me, but they kept coming back.  

I don’t suppose we’ll ever know who this was.  

But I do know it was not COOL.

NOT COOL AT ALL.  

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

I did something last night I VERY, VERY, VERY rarely do.  

I met employees out for a drink.  

We were closed for cleaning, and when I checked in on them, they invited me to meet them at a bar for a drink.  

I arrived late, and joined them at the bar.  

I ordered a boulevardier and he knew what it was and made it excellently.  

I hung out with my team, chatted, learned that the bartender and I had mutual friends and talked for a while.  

I ordered my employees two more drinks, asked for the check and paid it.  

I didn’t pay attention and the bartender was busy when I leaving.  

I said my goodbyes and headed home.  

About an hour later, my phone rings and it’s a Los Angeles number.  

I don’t answer.  

A few minutes later, my phone pings and it’s the bartender from the bar, saying that the transaction timed out and my payment didn’t go through.  

OH NO!!!

I call him back and he asks if it’s okay to take my credit card number over the phone.   

I say of course and give him the number.  

I tell him to make sure that he adds the tip that I left in as well.

He says that he doesn’t feel comfortable doing so, because it was his fault the transaction didn’t go through.  

I tell him of course you’ll add the tip, it’s not that big of a deal, we are both in the industry and it’s how he makes his money.  

He is very gracious.  Adds the tip and we say goodbye.  

It felt good to do the right thing.