Fit To Print

Chain of Command

October 25th, 2006

So I’m trying to get a bartending or waiting job at this illustrious Italian chain, Bertucci’s. Had interview number two today. The general manager gave me a slightly incredulous look when I said I didn’t know what my long-term goals were, besides graduating from college (which I mistakenly gave as a short-term goal, thus depriving me of any defense against the second salvo of questions).

I see what you’re getting at, Mr. Berkowitz. I know exactly how it will come up. Customer orders a beer at the bar. In my head I’m thinking, “Ok, this is an easy one. You know this. You know this. Pour beer, hand to customer.” But I just can’t do it. I don’t have the drive, focus or long-term vision. And then, what about things like wiping down counters and taking actual food orders? Those sure aren’t projects you dive into willy-nilly, whistling a sea chantey, with no thought of tomorrow.

Besides a couple little stumbles, I thought I did a passable job of giving mediocre answers to bad questions, but we shall see.

Publisher’s note: “willy-nilly” and the initial variants of the phrase used to refer to something that must be accomplished whether one wanted to or not. Valuable history lesson or annoying asterisk?

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