I hate our work cafeteria.
Our caf is ran by a third party company owned and managed by a couple of ladies who also work the grill. Try to put aside the terrible layout (for the longest time I refused to go there because I had no idea what the queue flow was), the poor quality of the food (the first time I gathered the courage to go, they gave me really undercooked spaguetti, and we all know how disgusting hard noodles are), and the understaffing (the same people who handle the grill have to run back and forth to and from the cash register, IF you ask them nicely to take care of you “when they get a free second”), and you are still left with their less-than-friendly demeanor.
Growing up in another country, we had a live-in housekeeper who would cook, clean and do laundry. She was a part of the family, and we are still in touch. We get along fine NOW, but back then…. let’s just say she was NO servant, and she would make sure you were aware of that. My parents signed the checks, not I or my siblings, so we were always very weary of asking for anything. Most of the time, she would be in one of her “moods” and we were afraid of going to the kitchen for a glass of water. Lunchtime was always entertaining: with my parents at work, it was just her and us kids. We’d eat in silence afraid of saying anything that would infuriate her.
Well, that’s exactly how I feel about our caf staff. They are only selectively friendly and have NEVER smiled at me, despite my efforts to get them to like me. It’s just so awkward and uncomfortable, like I’m going there just to make them work more. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, and their business has suffered because of it. I just hate having to kiss ass for some food, and having to beg someone to assist me at the register.
Sigh… can’t beat their $1 bagels, though.
ina