Work Family

I have worked in numerous restaurants and have always kinda had a connection to the kitchen staff. Being able to speak Spanish was a definite plus. I remember early on asking some of the cooks I worked with, how old they were, how many hours they worked, and being completely amazed that 18 or 19 year old guys were working 70 or 80 hours to help provide for their family here, and the family back in Mexico.

I grew closer to quite a few of the guys I worked with. One of which was Juan. He was old enough to be my dad, and never let me forget that. You see Juan was real big on respect. So much so that if I didn't greet him when I arrived at work, he would not speak to me. The thing was, the restaurant was a pizza place, and sometimes I would arrive as a delivery driver to a very busy place, and had to load up and go. But it made no difference to Juan, he wanted to shake your hand, and actually look you in the eye. I am not nearly as particular as Juan is about this, but I definitely try to take time each day that I work to greet those people I work with, whether they are a fellow server, or busboy, or cook.

Another great story about Juan involves a baptism celebration for someone close in his family. Once I arrived, his family treated me like royalty. Not allowing me to get up for anything, except to go the bathroom of course! As I mentioned I spoke Spanish, and one of the other party guests started to antagonize me a little. I didn't understand what he was telling me, and he thought that I was disrespecting me. The whole time as tensions grew I didn't know what would take place if things became violent, I was after all the only gringo there. Juan was circling our conversation, and stepped to the other gentleman, and let him know it was time for him to leave. He mentioned how I came with Juan, and that if he had a problem with me, he had a problem with Juan and all his family. Immediately after the gentleman left, almost his entire family came to apologize for his actions.

All in all, Juan taught me so much about respect and about treating people as people, and really getting to know them, and care for them. He was an immense blessing in my life. I hope maybe you may take a couple extra minutes each work day and greet those you work with, it can sometimes put a smile on your face on those days that work doesn't seem like fun at all...