9th of May: First argument at work

“You are nineteen, but sometimes, hen (French “hen”)... boum boum...” said Jonathan the French bar tender once, about me.

Yes. I am nineteen and I’ve always commanded my old brother, hence I seem not to realize sometimes that my workmates may think I am cheeky...

“cheeky” is the word Zoe often uses to describe me. But we like each other, it’s ok though.

Today Zoe assigned me to “The Pass”, the counter between the kitchen and the floor. As the food runner I must be aware of what’s going on: which course is having each table at the moment, which table should be cleared and called “Mains Away”, what special request is on the docket... It’s like a sport! Hence I tried to be very concentrated and keep things in order.

Davor is a new waiter at The Modern Pantry. He is over 45 years old – but doesn’t seem that old – and he has worked in catering for more than 30 years.

The fourth comment I addressed him about his work should have stayed quiet for my security. Davor turned at me and said with a freezing calm: “My pressure is going up.” I melted. I tried to explain that I could not do my job if he neglected his part but he would not understand the situation hence I just apologized and tried to avoid him until his pressure would go down.

I focused until we finished the lunch service, then I confessed to Eleo: “Davor is very angry at me.” I left her with teary eyes, but not a drop had escaped till now...

... till I met Zoe in the door:

“ You are crying??

-          Noooo... No I’m not!”

And the tears jumped out of my eyes without asking, flowing on my cheeks, on the floor, causing a flood...