The Startup

Working in a resturaunt can be very hectic, stressful, and usually you need a hand with something. Asking questions is common in a workplace, but stupid questions are even more common. I am a victim of this as well. Here are some stories. I work in a deli bar, and it has to be organized. We were missing a few people one morning, so some things were not done. I asked my manager “Do you need help with anything” , and at the time I thought it was a basic, normal, start-up question. My manager did not agree, as she said “noo, that’s just what you’re paid for.” From my perspective, I took her message as a snotty, sarcastic one, and it made me feel frustrated at the workplace. My response was to give her a thumbs up and talk to my other manager, who helped me. This made me feel very resentful towards my boss, and almost like there was some sort of personal issue going on with us. this instantly set me off and the vibe of the kitchen off for a while, as it was uncomfortable to ask other questions, and even joking around felt weird to do around her.

Adding more to this story, after I gave my boss the thumbs up, I went ahead and cut up 3 different vegetables, and throughout the day I continued to ask questions, like where something is, or how to cut up some of the vegetables. However, I did not ask that same boss a question again, and she also left halfway through my shift, so she had me work on the side dish for the main course, which was some roasted squash and zucchini. I still felt some level of tension between me and my manager, which made it slightly uncomfortable to work near her. throughout the day, my mindset was to just get through the day, and I kept reminding myself I am getting paid for this. I didn’t avoid her, but I made sure to not ask her if she needed any help. The main reason I acted this way is because I wanted to be petty, which isn’t the best way to go about it.

My work shift starts at breakfast rush time, and ends right at the end of lunch rush time. So, when I show up to work, everyone is rushing around, and busy. I always ask if anyone needs help when I first start out, and the first thing I have told to me is “noo, that’s just what you’re paid for.” Overall, the work shift ended on good enough terms. there was no more questions I needed to ask, and while that question is still something that I sometimes I wonder how others would perceive that question and if the answer maybe was the right one. thinking more on this, asking a question like I did should not have gotten an answer like that, as it was unnecessary. most of the time when I am working, I want to know what I am doing, and you need to ask questions to know those things. the feeling of not wanting to ask another question because you don’t want to upset someone is not a good one.

In conclusion, asking stupid questions can grant stupid answers, but asking a basic question should not. I felt disrespected when my boss answered my question with such attitude and sass. Throughout the day, it stayed on my mind, and that can go to show how one little answer like that can affect the rest of someone’s day. My day was affected, but at the same time, it’s only if you let the other person’s words hurt you. when I originally asked the question, I came into with good intentions, and once she responded I was in shock a little, so for a while my intentions were to give back the same attitude. looking back on this day, I could’ve handled the situation more maturely, and brushed off her comment easily. instead, her comment made me upset and embarrassed to ask other questions to her again. there are plenty of moral lessons here, but the main one is to treat others how you want to be treated.

“IMG_0361” by pesbo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.