My Dad, the Boss

21 November 2015

My Dad, the Boss

||
118 Comments
|

My first job outside of summer camp was working fast food with my dad. He had been in the business for several years at that point, managing fried chicken and Tex-Mex restaurants, opening franchises, relocating whenever they needed him. My earliest memories are of him coming home smelling like “work” – so much so that to this day the smell of frying grease triggers flashbacks.

Since he had custody on the weekends and I, being a teenager, needed money, it was decided that I’d work a few hours at his place each Saturday and Sunday (minimum wage for the record – “What. You don’t have much previous experience.”).

He was a good and capable boss, always knowing how to juggle schedules and keep things running smoothly – something I would take for granted until I worked for other bosses later. Sometimes, however, he’d be so focused on the “business” that your feelings would simply be in the way. It’s a tough lesson at 15, but it’s a tough lesson at any age.

It wasn’t easy work and it wasn’t glamorous. The days were long (especially if I’d been out the whole Friday night before). He had me work every station, from drive-thru to cashier to line-prep. I worked the fryer just that one time – don’t ask.

I did a LOT of mopping and scrubbing.

I tried my best to avoid mistakes. He wouldn’t yell; he’d be too busy to yell. It was embarrassing being the kid who fucked things up, especially when his father made everything look so easy.

Some mornings when I was dragging ass and tearing up from the new contact lenses and the early sun shining in the windshield, he’d still make me drive us to the restaurant so I could get the practice behind the wheel. We’d get there HOURS before the place would open, an hour before the rest of the morning crew would arrive.

It would be quiet, well before the craziness of the day. And although I would rather have been sleeping in those mornings, I enjoyed the quiet with him. Among other things, he showed me how to chop vegetables, how to proof and bake rolls, and how to prepare the bread pudding and coleslaw.

In retrospect, they were Miyagi-like lessons in mindfulness and taking pride in one’s work (timing and attentiveness matter and your results are going to be obvious to others and yourself). Not that it was my “dream job” or even mildly important in life’s bigger picture, for the those few minutes in the morning I was going to be the world’s best coleslaw maker making the world’s best coleslaw. It’s how I saw him handle his tasks, and it’s a work ethic I think that has followed me from job to job.

“I hate stocking shoes, but while I’m here I may as well earn the paycheck.”

I may not be the world’s best waiter/graphic designer/comedian/whatever, but I know what my best is. I won’t produce or try to pass off “shit work.”

Do it well. Do it quietly.

There are no menial jobs. My dad taught me that. Don’t ask anyone to do something that you yourself aren’t willing to do. He taught me that.

The world deserves my best. I also deserve my best. My dad taught me that too.

118 Responses

  1. After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks.

  2. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new surveys are added- checkbox now if a comment is added I buy four emails using the same comment. Will there be by any means you are able to eliminate me from that service? Thanks!

  3. I wish to convey my passion for your generosity in support of men who really need guidance on this subject matter. Your personal dedication to passing the solution along had become exceptionally good and have really empowered employees like me to achieve their objectives. The useful tutorial indicates so much to me and even further to my peers. Best wishes; from all of us.

  4. What would we do without the brilliant tips you discuss on this website? Who else has got the persistence to deal with important topics in the interest of common readers like me? My spouse and i and my friends are very blessed to have your web site among the types we often visit. We hope you know how considerably we love your effort! Best wishes through us all.

  5. After study a number of the blog articles on your own site now, we truly such as your technique of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and you will be checking back soon. Pls check out my website at the same time and tell me if you agree.

  6. Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  7. I believe that youtube is a great tool for anyone curious in watching or uploading videos. I have been using the site for years now, and still think it is doing a good job!

  8. Aw, i thought this was a very nice post. In idea I must place in writing this way moreover – spending time and actual effort to manufacture a top notch article… but exactly what can I say… I procrastinate alot through no means often get something carried out.

  9. I discovered your blog site website on the internet and appearance a few of your early posts. Always maintain the really good operate. I just now extra increase RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading far more by you at a later time!…

  10. Fantastic blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get advice from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thanks!

  11. There are definitely quite a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That may be a great point to bring up. I supply the ideas above as normal inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you deliver up where a very powerful thing shall be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged round issues like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each girls and boys really feel the affect of only a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  12. Can I just now say such a relief to discover one who truly knows what theyre dealing with on-line. You actually know how to bring a concern to light and earn it important. Lots more people have to look at this and see why side of the story. I cant think youre not more popular because you certainly develop the gift.

  13. Excellent diary! I actually love how it is simple on my eyes and likewise the assemblage are good typed. I am wondering how I might be informed whenever a brand-new record has been made. I have signed to your rss feed which must do the trick! TX again!

  14. certainly like your web-site however you have to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to inform the reality on the other hand I will certainly come again again.

  15. – Gulvafslibning | Kurt Gulvmand Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more – Gulvafslibning | Kurt Gulvmand again from you. Thanks For Share .

  16. An fascinating discussion may be worth comment. I’m sure that you ought to write much more about this topic, may possibly not often be a taboo subject but usually people are too few to dicuss on such topics. To another. Cheers

  17. I admire the valuable information and facts you offer inside your posts. Ill bookmark your weblog and also have my children examine up right here typically. Im fairly positive theyll discover a lot of new things here than anybody else!

  18. Many thanks for making the effort to discuss this, I feel strongly about this and like learning a great deal more on this topic. If feasible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your webpage with a great deal more details? It’s really beneficial for me.

  19. Easily, the post is really the greatest on this laudable topic. I concur with your conclusions and will thirstily watch forward to your future updates. Saying cheers will not just be sufficient, for the great c lucidity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. Solid work and much success in your business enterprise!

  20. I just now desired to come up with a quick comment in an effort to express gratitude back for people wonderful pointers you happen to be posting at this site. My time consuming internet investigation has by the end through the day been rewarded with quality means to show to my guests. I’d personally say that many of us website visitors can be extremely endowed to result from a wonderful network with developed solid relationships . marvellous individuals with useful hints. I believe quite privileged to obtain used your webpages and search forward to really more fabulous minutes reading here. Many thanks for most things.

  21. Julien Tanguy, known as “P猫re” or “Papa,” bought artists’ materials, and Vincent frequented the store to purchase paint and to visit the informal gallery housed within the back rooms.

  22. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  23. I am just commenting to let you know of the perfect experience my wife’s princess encountered studying your web site. She picked up numerous details, most notably what it’s like to have an ideal helping character to have many more very easily gain knowledge of selected advanced subject matter. You undoubtedly exceeded our own expectations. Thanks for offering such effective, healthy, explanatory and in addition fun thoughts on this topic to Gloria.

  24. With Aeroplan factors, any routing to Argentina will move the 4,501-mile mark on the “Between North and South America” chart, making it 60,000 factors one-manner in enterprise class.

  25. Can I just now say that of a relief to find somebody that truly knows what theyre discussing on the internet. You certainly discover how to bring a challenge to light and produce it crucial. More and more people should check this out and fully grasp this side of the story. I cant think youre no more popular simply because you undoubtedly have the gift.

  26. It only calls for separating your coupons by categories. I rate Thrifty with only four stars simply because enterprise coupon codes are on the smaller side, but renting from Thrifty a great overall value.

  27. An impressive share, I just now given this onto a colleague who had previously been doing a small analysis with this. Anf the husband in reality bought me breakfast simply because I found it for him.. smile. So i want to reword that: Thnx with the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending some time to talk about this, Personally i think strongly about it and really like reading much more about this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, can you mind updating your blog post with additional details? It really is highly ideal for me. Massive thumb up for this writing!

  28. How is it that just anyone can write a weblog and get as popular as this? Its not like youve said something extremely impressive more like youve painted a fairly picture through an issue that you know nothing about! I dont want to sound mean, right here. But do you really think that you can get away with adding some pretty pictures and not definitely say anything?

  29. A whole lot of brides are actually shifting their focus on light weight jewellery for his or her pre-wedding events & different events as the cost of gold is just too high.

Leave a Reply