Wednesday, August 26, 2009

It Was Only a Matter of Time

Something that has been very hard for me to accept as a part-time unemployed person is the idea of losing one's sense of pride.

Between the begging for work (yes, it's gotten to the point of begging), and picking up freelance jobs that are so FAR beneath one's abilities and salary requirements, you can't really let your ego get in the way. This also goes for the part-time jobs that you might have to add to your resume to make ends meet-in my case, my twice-a-week gig as a hostess in a tex-mex/beach shack restaurant where they are big on dressing like a cross between someone out of "Oklahoma" and a mermaid. I call it Slutty Cowgirl Chic. My manager is obsessed with flair. Cowboy hats, anchors, sea creatures. Throw it all together and you've got...well...kind of a mess, actually.

At any rate, this is what it's come down to, and like it or not, it's the state of affairs (and truth be told, it's fun to dress up and look a little silly from time to time (it's definitely inspired some, uh, interesting bedroom role-playing ideas).

The other night a couple with a baby walked in and asked for a table for 3. The woman looked really familiar to me, but I couldn't place her, and she looked at me strangely as well. I pulled out some menus and as I was about to show them to a table she asked me "Is your name Cheese?"

Ah fuck. Busted.

I recognized her immediately as someone that I worked with a million years ago, at my "real" job. She got herself a husband and a baby. I got myself a cowboy hat and...not much else. Crap.

"What are you doing here?" she asked incredulously.

I then felt that I had to explain my entire situation. Oh, you know, I was laid off. Oh you know, I freelance, REALLY...but summer is slow. Oh you know, I have a cowgirl fetish and this satisfies my fantasy of being Ginger Rogers. Good lord...what was I doing here? It's a fucking job.

I showed them to their table and she explained to her hubby that we used to work together at (big bad ad agency). He raised his eyebrows and said "oh really". I then lingered at their table for a moment longer, catching up on life with my ex-coworker. Her husband cut in and asked "So are you our server or what?" I guess I was overstaying my welcome, since now I am no longer their "equals" but just a servant in a restaurant.

I told him their server would be with them momentarily, and to enjoy their meal. Like a dutiful hostess would do. I then hid in the kitchen for the remainder of their time there.

If I learned anything from that exchange, I would say it was that ultimately, I do not want to end up like those people. A big, fat, post-pregnant stay-at-home mom married to a big, fat, schlubby asshole who think people are "beneath" them if you are not sitting behind a big fat desk in a big fat office making a big fat salary. I'll keep my cowboy hat and my flair. And my dignity..somewhere in there...

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I wish I could "like" this post! I know exactly what you mean.

roopa said...

they sound like total assholes.

beagle said...

what ass hats!

Susan said...

"what are you doing here?"

REALLY? Those words really came out of her mouth? Unreal. So, instead of immediately recognizing that its a tough economy that's forcing some people to dress up like slutty pirates and seat people at theme restaurants and being NICE to you, she and her jackass husband made you feel uncomfortable. Well, screw them.

When they both get laid off AND have a baby to feed, one of them is going to have to dress up in the Subway Sub costume and wave at passing cars so they can buy diapers. Then you will have your revenge...

... said...

Well you have lots of jobs - more than that lady and you are hot and she is not. You also eat at way cooler places than that on your free time. Their free time is spent going to fish net places :)

My verification word is insometh? Hmm.

Bill From Gainesville said...

wow Thats kind of rough. I totally get how that would feel. Karma will get them though, Karma is a sharp knife that cuts when not handled correctly and fat baby momma and douchebag husband do not have knife etiquette at all....

kristina.koprivica said...

First I just gotta say that I run across your blog by accident and I just love the way you write! Keep it up! Oh, and your life- you could totally make a movie out of it.

Now, comment on this post... I agree with your last sentences. They are just so... not something you should be wanting to be.
Trust me.