Cowardly Customers

It's been awhile since I've had a negative post about work, so here goes.

In the past eight years, as a food service employees, I've served all kinds of customers: Tall, short, fat, skinny, ones that cried, ones that talked your ears off, some that don't want you to say a word. I've served perverted, mean, and downright slimy customers.
I've served smelly customers, needy customers, customers who complained a lot and ones who came in planning to get a free meal.

Don't get me wrong, I've also served sweet, nice and polite customers, but that's not the point. By far, my least favorite of the customers are the cowardly ones.

I had one such example on Sunday. Sundays are notoriously bad tipping days. They used to be decent, but I think only because there were so many customers that things evened out. I'm talking, less than 10 percent for a group and sometimes less than 10 cents per person. It's frustrating. Especially when you're busy and trying to take care of everyone at once. And I'm not trying to brag, but I don't usually get stiffed and I haven't been for the past several weeks. But I have been so many times, by so many people, that it doesn't really phase me anymore.
Sometimes I deserve it, most of the time I don't.

This Sunday, I had taken very good care of a table. I did the obligatory, "aww... your baby is so cute!" and made sure their drinks stayed full. At the end of their meal, there were only three glasses on their table and no dishes. For a buffet that's pretty good.

I'm pre-bussing, or collecting large amounts of dishes to bring to the dish room. As soon as I get a full tray and walk back, the cowardly customers get up and practically run out the door. When I told another lady about it she said "they know it's wrong." Honestly, I think they do.

Sometimes customers really do just forget, and I understand that. Sometimes they thought they had more money, but they don't, which I also understand. If this were the case though, I wish they would have the courage to say something, rather than trying to hide or get out before I can see them. It's almost like they're like "okay she's in the back! GO!"

On the flip side, if I did something to piss you off or ruin your dining experience, tell me that too. I might not be happy about it, but at least I would know why you weren't tipping me and I might be able to work on whatever it was.

Here are a few general rules:

If you don't have money to tip, stick to fast food restaurants.

If you are already out and find out you don't have money to tip, apologize to your server. They will say it's okay. What else would they say? They have to be polite. Or find an ATM and go back, something to show that person that you're not the huge douchy a-holes you're about to portray yourself as.

And most importantly: Don't be a coward. Cowards suck.

Don't I Have a Beautiful Family?

One of my amazing bosses was kind enough to take some photos of Vincent and some family photos. I think she was disappointed that Vincent was making goofy faces, but I absolutely love the pictures. I think she did a terrific job. I love that she captured all of his little expressions as he was telling her stories and acting like his little monsterous self. Here are a few of my favorites.

They're not cropped on the cd she gave me, but you get the point :D

Thanks Jeanne!

Bee Hive Book Sale

The Missourian hosted a book sale today. I was lucky to be one of the first at the event to pick up a few books for Vincent, and a few for gifts for others. I didn't make it past the kids table because I had already hit my limit. But look at all of these cool books!
Each one was $5. Totally worth it!

Google: Rebus

Vincent picked this one out as a gift for someone. I think because it had flaps you could lift inside.

He insisted on this one...for himself.

Vincent picked "Kiss Kiss" for his baby cousin.

My personal favorite. G's mom thinks its creepy, but it's really not. It's cute.
Every page in this book looks like the one shown, with tons of cool pop-ups and more pop-ups inside. It's crazy, and so cool.

I just remembered all of those from memory. Go me!

Vincent is Four!

My amazing, wonderful boy is four. Happy Birthday big boy!

Halloween 2010!

I just realized I haven't posted on here since Halloween, but I'll be brief.

Vincent has a lot of costumes. He has hand-me-downs from cousins and we have some from last year and accumulated a few this year. Then, Vin really wanted a skeleton. My mom told him if she bought it, he had to wear it.

We had a few Halloween activities. Friday, we went to the city event with a hayride, trunk-or-treat and a hcostume contest. Vincent wore his skeleton. He wanted to participate in the contest even though there were several other skeletons. Then, as they were announcing the winners, he thought he lost his candy bucket, so he started crying hysterically. Of course, it looked like he cried because he lost the contest. Looking back, it's kind of funny. But in the moment... it sucked. The event was fun and we had a great time.

Skeleton in the closet...heh.

On the hayride

I love this picture. The policeman had to leave shortly after.

On Saturday morning Gary and I took Vincent to Trick or Treat Street, an event the high school was hosting. Each room in a certain hallway had some candy and cute activities. There also was a "haunted hallway," which Vin said he wasn't scared of, but clung to my leg throughout. Vincent dressed as Superman.

We've got muscles!

Making a ghost

He looks so hopeful in this one.

Then, on the way home from the high school we saw a church that was hosting a trunk-or treat, so we called a friend and asked her to join us, and she and her daughter did. It was fun. They had a cake walk like event and the kids enjoyed themselves. For this event, he utilized his Buzz Lightyear costume.

Best Friends

There was another Buzz Lightyear!On Sunday, G and I both had to work, so Vin spent the day with my mom. Then, we went trick-or-treating in the evening. Vincent wanted to be the Hulk, his cousins costume from last year.

This Halloween was a fun one. We're still working on the candy. Vincent went to the dentist last week and didn't have any cavitites... surprisingly.

Amigurumi!

The other day, I didn't even know what amigurumi was. I was watching a video for something and I had to look the word up. Apparently, it's the Japanese art of crocheting small animals or toys.

My first amigurumi project? A cat toy! I didn't have any stufing, so I used catmint from my front garden to stuff the mouse. I made one for my cat without the mint and he didn't really care for it, but with the mint... he ate it up.


I made a few, just because they were fun and easy to make. Then, I gave one to a friends cat, now her two cats... and dog... fight over it. I think I'll make her another.

Side View

Front

I didn't get too crazy and add eyes or anything, since it was for the kitties. But I think the mouse turned out pretty cute. I did buy some stuffing, so now I can try something else. Although, it's not like I don't have enough stuffed animals. Oh well.

Things I'm Looking Forward To...

I thought it would be fun to make a list of things I'm looking forward to.
Short Term:
1. Vincent's 4th birthday and birthday party!
2. Hosting my family's ornament exchange this year
3.Possibly going to see one Jew, one Muslim, one stage at ECC
Long Term:
1. Paying off my student loans and cars and consequently being mostly debt free
2. Being a super awesome reporter who rarely makes mistakes
3. Taking an awesome family vacation
4. Buying a house (when I'm ready!)
5. Having another baby (see above, no rushing!)
Kinda Both:
1. Teaching Vincent to read and write (we're slowly starting)
2. Learning to take better photos for work, which I'm working on as well :D

I'm sure there's more, but I'm tired and I just wanted to post something. Night!