It's Just Pizza (Day 397)

I've learned something in the restaurant business. The saying "you are human so you are allowed to make mistakes" does not apply. People don't allow mess ups when it comes to their food. You'd think they'd just heard their whole family and home was wiped away in a tornado when you bring them the wrong item. Oh, but wait, they're getting that worked up because of pizza. For heaven's sake, it's just pizza.

I was ten hours into my shift, give or take thirty minutes, when I made a mistake. Our micros have a small lag to them so when you're typing in orders quickly sometimes the touchscreen doesn't pick up you pushing on it. I had been swamped, all day I might add, when I put in Table 25's order. I needed to get it in quickly so I could go greet Table 5 who had been sat almost right after Table 25. Fifteen minutes later my manager took them their pizza and came back telling me I rang in a cheese instead of what they ordered. We told them the pizza they had planned on getting would be right out, but unfortunately we were busy so it took longer than expected. My manager said she would take the new pizza out so she could make sure they were ok. Well, they weren't. They were rude and did not accept any form of apology from her or me. And that was even after they were given two free large pizzas!!

I really can't stand upsetting people or letting them down, like I absolutely can't stand it, and it showed as I had a break down in the back of the restaurant. See, the table sitting next to Table 25, Table 15, heard the entire occurrence. They asked to speak to my manager and when she came over they informer her of what a great job I was doing. That was what set me over. I didn't feel like I was doing that great of a job. I felt like a chicken with its head cut off that entire day. I didn't feel like I was giving people the service they deserved. All I was doing was running from one table to the next just trying to keep up with what everyone ordered, drank, and needed more of. I'm not sure if my tears were from exhaustion, disappointment, relief I was doing something right, or a mix of it all, but let me tell you, they fell.

But even though they fell then and once more on my car ride home, I must thank God for all he's given me. You all know I despise my job. You all know I've been praying for a way to leave. You all know I wake up every morning dreading going into work. But despite all of that, our Father still gives me blessing through it all. Tonight was Table 15. They were so kind to me. They ended up being my last table so I was able to talk to them more. They asked me about my life and told me multiple times to keep my head high because I was doing a great job. They even left me a very generous tip. That table of six helped me remember that it's just pizza.