Restaurant Politics

Just came back from working in my restaurant, been working since 12noon until 12am with only an hours break in between. I wasn't supposed to be working, but something came up, and only when I was working today I found out, it was none other that the effect of restaurant politics.

We all know politics are dirty in someways, but did you know even a lil' restaurant has their own politic problems? I was asked to fill in for a lady whom did not turn up to work because she had an arguement with another member of staff. I have always noticed these things: how some people murmer chinese whispers about some other person, how some people are treated indifferently, how some people dominate conversations etc... Then, it dawned upon me: I'm not involved in any of these. Not at all. When we have quiet chats in the kitchen alone with my head chef during not busy nights, he commented that, in no way have I offended or caused any dislike for other people. I'm apparently, well liked. Hmmm... That's a nice thought.

But then it made me think deeper. Why everyone else but not me? I'm just as involved as everyone else. My chef answered me: its because I'm a simple person. At first I thought, "am I so simple minded that I don't know any of these things?" I began to think, perhaps I have been so silly and ignorant about things in my life, that I can't see and comprehend what is going on. After all, I AM the youngest of all. It was my mistake. He said it was a compliment.

He said the fact that I was simple, I have not got myself into any trouble. Yes, things like these affect me in some ways, but more importantly - I have done what I have supposed to do; done what I believe and have done them right. I told him that I might be ignorant, but he said, sometimes people can just be happier by not even going there. So, I should be happy but ignorant?

I was shocked when he said, "I don't think you are ignorant, in fact I think you understand these things pretty well. It's true now that he mentions it. He said, "Just because you don't go there doesn't mean you don't know what is going on - you were smart to not go there." It's s true: I knew what was happening and I could have easily got involved (I spend so much time working with my head chef, I know all the problem which arises), but I din't because by the nature of my simpleness - I avoided them unintentionally but still able to understand what is going on. Have I got the best of both worlds?

I guess the moral of the story is: it is important in life to be simple with things; but not be ignorant of the problems. You might understand what's happening; but it doesn't mean you have to indulge yourself in those problems. I guess it really does apply to my feelings right now.


Speaking of which, my head chef was, unexpectedly, the second person to give me a Christmas present. It was quite an unexpected gesture: my head chef was never a soft emotional type. He had to put on a hard face when he gave it to me, bless him. It was most meaningful to me, as I was the only one to get a present from him. How ironic: I used to hate Christmas because it was the season where I feel most depressed every year. It still is - but this year, I have received, so far, 2 Christmas present from 2 of the people that I really place close to my heart. One of them is the angel of my heart; another is close like my father.

Merry Christmas and happy holdays everybody.