After just a few hours training to be a server at a local bar, I received more praise from just rolling silverware than I have in 2 years as a "Project Coordinator" for a corporate conglomerate promoting management and IT training. Hiding behind a cloud of intended integrity and success measured by investors and economic reviews, the shoestring operation has expanded to employ hundreds of employees throughout 6 countries for the purpose of training other corporate employees to be better at their jobs! This cycle continues to fuel corporate America and the money-grubbing society we have become.
As a coordinator, I complete administrative work to support 4 product managers, and end each day with a lack of satisfaction, appreciation, and recognition- monetarily or otherwise. I used to strive, and present myself with the utmost attention. Now, each morning, I roll out of bed, throw on un-ironed clothes fitting the "business-casual" description, and arrive to work, no more than 25 minutes late. I check my email, and complete the few work-related tasks I have for the day, which puts me at about 9:30 or 10am. At which point, I move on the ever-addicting worlds of Facebook and MySpace. I have, at this point, exhausted the internet. I can read about daily news and world updates via a handful of networks, and then that's it. My position is not challenging, I don't use my BA degree, and the office (due to decreasing employee morale) is piercingly quiet.
The company talks of promoting from within, to bolster the professional development of their employees. This is a gimmick. It seems apparent that I have been denied a promotion to the marketing team, not by the marketing manager because I wasn't qualified.... because I am qualified... but by MY boss, and HIS boss, because they need me to continue to baby-sit my unfit counterpart they mistakenly hired 4 months ago, who clearly can't cut it. The people involved have been shady and hypocritical and probably believe that I'm dumb enough to go along with their decisions, while no one is outwardly owning up to the final decision that was made. Interesting. The company also does not believe in bonuses. Our "raises" are limited to a mandatory, and standard, 3% rate each year. This might cover inflation, I'm not sure. Either way, it didn't cover my increase in rent.
I needed some extra cash, and a friend said that the bar she works at (and I happen to frequent) is hiring for a couple shifts. I'd never waited tables before, but figured if I were to start somewhere, this would be the place to do it. I already go there regularly, and I know several of the staff. It's friendlier and more fun than my day job, and I actually have things to do, to keep me busy! I need mental stimulation in my life. Not getting that from my day job rendered me lazy and useless for the rest of the week. I actually arrive early to work at Harp. Those of you who know me, understand what a feat this is. I iron my clothes. I wear my contacts instead of glasses, and do my hair and make-up as if I'm going out. I feel better while I'm working, and after a shift, than I ever do sitting in my cubicle in Northern Virginia suburbia. The people are nice, the regulars introduce themselves and so far have tipped nicely. The very idea of getting a tip is great. It's a bonus for doing a nice job. Unheard of in my corporate world of adulthood... Interestingly enough, being a server yields approximately the same rate of end-total wages as my day job, if I were to have 5 or so shifts a week. Granted, my day job provides health insurance, and paid vacation, and a 401k... but it proves to be quite tempting when you've reached your last straw. No more having to pay cover, 50% off food, with some free food and drink thrown in, live music while you work, never being bored with nothing to do, learning how to bartend so the bartenders might have a break... all at a bar I'm at anyway. Picking up a shift at a friend's family restaurant Monday nights, and picking up shifts as available at the bar... I think is probably the best decision I've made in the last 2 years.
No comments:
Post a Comment