Jake was a server at a restaurant.
His manager ordered all attention to be focused on a mysterious critic who inspected their restaurant one day. However, Jake persisted in helping every customer who asked for help, and in the end it worked in his favor.
Jake was a waitress at a nearby restaurant and an aspiring chef. Kitchen work was hard to come by, so he figured he’d take any restaurant job he could get and work his way up.
He loved his job as a waiter, even though it wasn’t what he wanted to do long-term.
Plus, he usually enjoyed helping others.
He was drawn to cooking because as a child it was one of the best ways to provide for his family.
He could never buy them expensive gifts, but he could always make them laugh with the meager supplies he kept in the kitchen. Jake had had enough.
Rob, Jake’s manager, called a staff meeting with Jake and the other employees one morning. While nervously whispering to each other, Jake and the staff waited for their manager.
Several employees were whispering to each other, “What could we have done wrong now?”
Rob was a strict manager who occasionally crossed the line into rudeness. He often spoke to his staff and ignored clients he didn’t think deserved his time or attention.
Rob came into the kitchen and the room fell silent. Rob walked in, put down the scale as usual and the staff parted like a sea of red for him.
“Alright, watch out! I need each of you to have your best today! Nothing like the shabby stuff you usually give me!” Rob said grumpily.
“What’s so different today?” Jake asked confidently. Jake never took Rob’s comments well and always tried to ignore him.
“Well, Jake, I’m glad you asked. I recently learned that one of our secret reviewers will be visiting us. He seems to be a well-known online food expert. So we need to make sure that everything we have today no mistakes!” Rob gave an explanation.
According to one critic, Jake didn’t like the idea of them racing like headless chickens. He believed that every restaurant should strive to provide excellent service as a standard.
He often dreamed of opening his own business, because in his opinion it should not be done that way. But alas, he kept his head down and went his own way because, as Rob often told him, he was there to do his job, not express his thoughts.
“What do you think you’re doing? I told you we were targeting this man, right? Trying to destroy this company?”
Every employee that day was looking for a critic. Rob researched each client and tried to determine the identity of the reviewer. He finally saw a man wearing an expensive watch and a fancy suit. He was sure they had found the critic they were looking for.
Rob then assembled the crew and instructed them to give this particular customer their undivided attention. Everyone else that day – including our regulars – had to settle for second place.
The man instructed the waiters to serve him. They faked a smile and danced close to him to get him. They removed used wipes every minute and attended to his every need. Even the cook worked diligently to quickly prepare the dishes.
While everyone entertained the men, Jake watched the woman who was scantily clad and given no food. Her waitress was assigned to her, but her attention was focused on the spectacle Rob had planned.
“Hello dear. Hope all is well with you. Has he served you yet?” Jake smiled warmly and asked.
“Hello, young man. The young woman promised to help me, but she seems to be busy right now. She has been asked to help me three times already.” The woman remarked, “I’ve been waiting for about twenty minutes.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. But don’t worry, I’ll serve you today,” Jake greeted.
Jake accepted the woman’s order and Rob just stared at him. Rob began blaming Jake as he headed into the kitchen with the woman’s order.
“What do you think you’re doing? I told you we were targeting this man, right? Trying to destroy this company?” Rob let out a loud bark that caught the woman’s attention.
“Rob, I’m sorry. Jake replied, “I know what you mean, but I can’t just turn away the rest of our customers because of one individual.
“You can and you will if you want to keep your job!” Rob said before heading off.
The woman’s order was not ready after thirty minutes. When Jake walked into the kitchen to see how the woman’s order was being processed, he found that the cook hadn’t started yet. He was still preparing the man’s dinner.
“I’m over your justification!
You have a shoe! Now get your things and get out of my face!”
To make up for the wait, Jake decided to bring her one of his favorite appetizers that was already prepared. He even stated that he would cover the costs himself. Rob was furious, but the woman appreciated it.
Finally, the man finished his dinner and left. Rob announced that another staff meeting was needed as soon as he walked out the door. He applauded the staff for their efforts before looking at Jake.
“And you! You really think you can do whatever you want, huh? Rob lost his temper.”
“No, ma’am. I just believed it was—” Rob suddenly cut Jake off, wincing at his words.
“I’m over your excuses! You have a boot! Pack your things and get out of my sight!” Rob growled.
Jake was devastated. It took him a long time to secure this position. And that was to be his first step towards finally becoming a chef. All the other restaurants in town had already turned him down. This was his last chance.
Despite his devastation, Jake followed the instructions. The next day, he received several calls from restaurants offering him work, claiming to have heard about him from a review of a restaurant he had previously worked at.
Confused, Jake decided to investigate.
I finally found a critique. As it happened, the reviewer – rather than the man – was the one he served.
The restaurant and food were strongly condemned in the reviewer’s article. The report highlighted only one positive aspect of the experience: the waiter Jake was kind, polite and professional. He really cared about the customer and tried to make her stay pleasant.
Jake managed to land a position at one of the biggest restaurants in town after posting a review. He worked as a waiter for several months before the restaurant hired him as one of the chefs.
What lessons can we learn from this story?
Show consideration for all individuals. Rob chose not to treat all his customers the same, preferring to please the ones he thought mattered. Jake, on the other hand, was mesmerized by the man’s extravagant outfit, but he decided to show the woman some respect as well, which paid off in the end.
Don’t be too quick to judge someone. When the woman turned out to be the one his crew had been waiting for all along, Rob decided she wasn’t worthy of their attention.
Discuss this story with your companions. It could motivate them and make their day.
If you liked the last one, you might be interested in this story about a manager who fires a janitor only to find out the next day that he’s his boss.
This essay was prepared by a professional writer and motivated by anecdotes from the daily lives of our readers. Any resemblance to actual names or places is purely coincidental. All images are illustrative only. Tell us your story and maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to send your story to [email protected] that would be great.
In conclusion, Jake’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of treating each individual with respect and fairness. Despite Rob’s misguided focus on perceived criticism, Jake’s decision to help an overlooked woman demonstrates his commitment to true customer service. This act of kindness not only led to a positive review but also opened up new opportunities for Jake in his career.
Rob’s narrow point of view and preference for superficial appearances ultimately backfired, illustrating that true value lies in how we treat others, regardless of their outward appearance. Jake’s devotion to all patrons, not just those deemed important, highlighted his integrity and work ethic, which earned him recognition and career advancement.
Ultimately, Jake’s experience underscores the lesson that fairness and respect are essential in all interactions. It’s a reminder that our actions toward others, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can have significant consequences and reveal our true character.