Behind the Counter: An Introduction

Let me preface this by sharing with you, dear reader, that I currently work in customer/food service. I have worked in customer/food service off and on (regrettably, mostly on) for many years. As a salute to that, and in honor of the many many men and women who have worked beside me throughout the years, I am taking this opportunity to chronicle the misadventures of those who, metaphorically or in reality, stand behind the counter.

I firmly believe that every person should, for at least some period of time, be required to work in customer service. Unfortunately, my belief, no matter how firm, has not managed to have an effect on any individuals in a position to engage said belief and share it with the masses. On a side note, the same can be said for my belief that all humans should be rendered sterile until they pass a parenting/sane/ability to take care of another human test; if any readers know legislators, please, pass my ideas on to them, and we'll start a petition.... Those who have worked in any of the many positions under the 'service' umbrella have, because of their experience, an amazing idea about human interactions. We have seen and experienced it all, and if we haven't personally, our co-workers have; and we all have an amazing ability to collectively analyze past and present behavior of customers. This is not to say that our entire lives are wrapped up in our minimum wage service jobs...trust me, we can do a hell of a lot more than make lattes/mix drinks/serve you dinner, but you'd be surprised how fast a shift goes if you utilize your spare brain power to analyze how customers interact with you while you go about your work. On a related note: I would like to remind those readers who have managed to not yet work in a service industry that those of us who have or are doing such work are in many if not most cases, capable of much more, and your complicated beverage or long list of dietary restrictions that go with your lunch order is not too much for us to handle, sometimes it just comes down to us caring less when we're spoken to like children. The following collection of posts, which will soon have a more concrete title, is not meant as a bitch session. (see photo...)

I have not begun this so that those who work in the service industry can complain or compare stories. That's what bars and back offices are for.


This collection of posts is meant to do a couple of very different things:

1. If you are, or have ever, worked in a service industry, these posts are here for your amusement
2. If you have not had the experience/opportunity/need to work in a service industry, these posts are to point out, in a humorous way, how you can remember that those who mix your drinks, make your coffee, bring you food, or any other goods/service transaction (including prostitution) are people too, and simply want to be treated as such.

And with the Mission Statement clearly explained...we begin. Cheers!