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di's Insite
Shelbyville Stop
While in Atlanta last Spring, I got lost again and stopped at a Waffle King for directions.
That stop resulted in a di's Insite column called "Five Gentlemen and a Lady."
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So it was with that nice memory in mind when driving down I-70 South on a Saturday morning, I pulled off at the Shelbyville exit to eat breakfast at a Waffle & Steak House. I kinda like their fast service-- it makes a quick back-on-the-road stop for me. Waffle House restaurants sit close to major highways, the yellow and black boxy sign a familiar sight. This one, on Riley Highway makes its appeal right on the sign, "The Friendliest Restaurant In Town."
I opened the heavy glass door to the sounds of country music, inhaling the smell of bacon frying and buttery waffles baking. Booths of families lined the outer walls, and a sign said to please use the booths for two or more. I took the only seat left on the end of the counter-- it turned out to be the best spot to observe these fast moving service people.
I could see down the back of the long front counter the cooks concentrating on breaking eggs over the grill, and pouring waffle mix into the bakers. Methodically, the cooks wasted no movement: hands danced from grill to stacks of eggs, to waffle makers to slabs of bacon.
The waitresses outdo any aerobic class-- actually at times I saw them run from one end of the service aisle to the other, picking up plates to drop off at the small dishwasher and on to other end for a customer or condiments. Even when their feet were still, their hands were ringing up tickets or putting silverware away-- no minute was wasted! Their graceful ballet was performed around each other as they reached up and down for items, coordinating service while eyes constantly searched the area for any needs. Within minutes of sitting, my hot coffee was served and my order taken.
While the cash register sang, orders chimed to the cooks amid the chatter of customers, and-- even a smiling joke or two shared-- indeed the restaurant has a right to its friendly slogan. Seeing the anticipation on the faces of incoming customers calling out greetings to the staff and friends, made me feel like I was in the midst of a family reunion! Families, retirees and singles with newspapers in hand looked ready to relax within the homey atmosphere.
I sat in awe at the counter watching the cooks prepare the food. A waitress stood near the cooks, reading her orders while they kept their eyes on the food preparations. Sometimes I stand staring into my refrigerator wondering what I was supposed to get, ---I can't imagine how I would remember all the orders those cooks seemed to keep straight! My waffle, eggs and bacon came quickly and was cooked perfectly.
Carol, my waitress, was moving fast down the service aisle with food orders, filling cups of coffee as her legs almost jogged. Bet she never has a weight problem! OK, dear readers-- don't tell me how bad my breakfast was for my cholesterol level. Grin. Oh but it was good! I do treat myself on weekends!
Later I went back for a late lunch and to see if Carol had slowed down. Sure enough the place was half full. I ordered and she told me she was just getting off her morning shift. Though one of the jogging waitresses has worked there 14 years, Carol had just started working this Spring. A tiny woman, with short ash blond hair held back by company's maroon colored kerchief, her eyes twinkle with friendliness. I stopped at her booth where she sat with a cup of coffee and told her of my previous experience at the Atlanta waffle house. She seemed to enjoy the story of me getting lost and finding help at another waffle house. I mentioned how she was really hustling that morning and she told me the weekend was always like that. Carol's eyes smiled with a sadness as she told me of a recent death of a grandbaby.
This trim and fit looking woman, keeps her face smiling and eyes twinkling for her customers. I know the waitress pay is low in those type of jobs, and Carol's attention to detail would be an asset to any company that paid better, but I wonder if she doesn't prefer the physical demand of the waitress job to keep her mind off her family's loss.
That got me to thinking of my mother's habit of making me do physical labor anytime she saw me pouting about something. You know, she was a waitress too. No wonder she knew how to get my mind off of my problems! It works too... whether it is cleaning out the kitchen cabinets or keeping a restaurant's counters and dishes clean, the work keeps my mind busy with endless details-- that is, if I pay attention to what I'm are doing! I remember Mom's attention to the finer points of the job she had me working on. She would inspect it when I thought it was ready. "You must of been daydreaming again; look at that corner you missed!" I got better at corners and thus got better at using my observation skills as I grew older. I don't know where Carol got her detail skills from, or if they were born out of necessity to stay employed. With feet flying, hands carrying stacks of platters, eyes surveying the customers, the orders, the aisles plus working in and around the other waitresses and cooks, all at the same time, I just have an inkling that Carol learned young to watch out for those corner jobs!
You been observing a good worker recently? Send me your observation! I will honor our workers in a future column. Please, no last names used to protect privacy.
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© 1999 di
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