OLD SCHOOL
image courtesy of photobucket.com
It was a late lunch – so late that some older folks were beginning to file into the restaurant for dinner.
Sometimes a work day gets so busy some of us don’t get time for lunch. Those are the type of folks that society now refers to as “old school”.
When I was a kid work wasn’t a whole lot different than playing sports. We were trained to strive to be our very best; no cheating on time cards, give a little more to make sure our character was above reproach and the like.
Back in the day, work came first and it didn’t matter if it was a birthday, anniversary, or even a sick day. We worked if we could manage to drag ourselves out of bed.
The restaurant was still sparse with customers when my late lunch was finally set in front of my growling stomach. As I inhaled my food I watched and listened to a manager training a new wide-eyed young waiter.
The kid was decent looking, dressed and looked to be in his early twenties. He was sporting a hip twelve o’clock type of shadow shave, had short and light colored hair and eyes. The kid seemed to be well-mannered and focused as well as respectful to the friendly manager.
They wrapped up the in-depth training session and she welcomed the youngster to the team and shook his hand firmly. She told him she’d see him on Friday to wrap things up on his first day of work.
The fair-skinned young man stammered and began to mumble about his brother being in town from California on Friday and the he didn’t get to see him that often and was hoping to get the day off… a day off before he ever got started.
I’ve been in situations like that and more than a time or two in my life. I was beyond curious to see how the manager, who’s about my age, would handle the affair.
“When is your brother leaving?” she asked kindly.
“Saturday,” the newly hired kid replied.
“What time.”
“Around four.”
“Okay, I’ll work with you,” she offered, “We’ll cover you Friday and I’ll schedule you Saturday night and then Sunday.”
I was a little surprised. In the new world with new priorities maybe she did the right thing, but my experience and title of “old school” tells me otherwise.
My old school generation and the ones that preceded us are not the models of moderation, but then again neither is that kid who asked for his first day of work off.
The people that I’ve hired that immediately ask for time off and have been given it never work out. They’re the ones you can never count on. In fact, they’re the ones that you can count on to let you down and shirk responsibility when you need them most.
Peculiar how when you take back a job you’ve given a person who can’t seem to work it into their busy schedule and you become the bad guy…
I’m not sure where the balance is, but I’ve learned that the folks who refuse to sacrifice anything for their social calendar never seem to have enough Fridays in it…
Sunday, July 12, 2015 @ 2:16 pm
I admire that manager for her willingness to work with the young man. I, like you, was taught to work. However, I can look back and see how putrid I was in carrying that out. Not a pretty picture at all. I try to be accommodating to the other staff here. I grew up in a different world work-wise, and saw many a pastor’s family go by the wayside because dad was too busy with church work. I don’t want that on my conscience because the way I did/do things was so different.
Sunday, July 12, 2015 @ 5:28 pm
Hey Floyd,
I used to feel the same way, but I think family time is more important than working. I worked myself close to death and what did it get me? It got me with a lot of regrets. I say work with the kid and he will show his true stripes, if he is a slacker. Family, first and work, second. My husband is still working because he can’t decide what he is going to do when he retires. I ask my kids to take time off work for family gatherings. Now, they are a little hesitant, as we raised them to work, work, work. So, sometimes they do and most times, they don’t. Gotta’ work! Yeah…Cat’s in the Cradle…When you comin’ home, Dad…
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then…You know we’ll have a good time then….Great post. Later, Floyd~
Sunday, July 12, 2015 @ 9:06 pm
Oh, my…I surely can relate to this post. It is a big red flag when someone has the audacity to ask for time off right off the bat. It usually indicates that the job is not high on their list of priorities. What ever happened to the old days when one felt a sense of loyalty to their employer? I am definitely from the old school, too, and I am glad I am. I’m glad I learned true ethics back before the entitlement generation came along, thinking the world and government owe them everything. Hard work is something my Daddy instilled in me, and I appreciate those values so much. Thank you for this post, brother. I leave here inspired and encouraged…and reminiscent. 🙂
Monday, July 13, 2015 @ 6:48 am
That’s a hard call. The manager did the compassionate thing, and if he’s a decent fellow she’ll have a good worker in the end. If he’s like most you people now-a-days who have a strong sense of entitlement, and don’t want to work for their pay, she’ll only be one day farther along to that realization. So I guess I’d err on the side of compassion, too, after getting over my astonishment that he would ask such a thing! And in my mind, I’d be singing your tune, Floyd! Great insights, as always!
Monday, July 13, 2015 @ 9:47 am
First of all, Floyd, that opening picture just makes my knees weak. I am terrified of heights, and I don’t know how those guys did that job.
As to the rest of your post, I thought there were so many lessons there. I don’t think the good ol’ work ethic of the *old days* is what it used to be – much to the detriment of society. There seems to be a sense of entitlement that really drives me crazy!
This sentence made me think: “Peculiar how when you take back a job you’ve given a person who can’t seem to work it into their busy schedule and you become the bad guy.”
The Holy Spirit kinda touched me on that one. And I thought of the tremendous gift and calling we have been given through salvation. How often am I at fault of not being able to “work the Lord into my busy schedule”? Thank goodness, He doesn’t take salvation back. But I think we can do a better job…
GOD BLESS!
Monday, July 13, 2015 @ 11:18 am
Thanks Floyd for a great story – I love the photo too. I am old school in many ways, but my thoughts immediately went to my hiring day for my last job. I told the supervisor, that my youngest daughter was expecting any day, and if it fell on Monday (my first day) I would be on the plane and gone for 3 days. The supervisor about my age, was gracious and understood. Yes Alexandra arrived on Monday and I took the next three days off even before I started. However I worked for 10 years plus a few months, so I must have worked out. LOL.
Monday, July 13, 2015 @ 2:18 pm
Perhaps this young man will remember this and work even harder for his new boss and learn commitment along the way.
Unlike me and my first job at the concrete plant, I couldn’t commit because it got harder and harder. 😉
Monday, July 13, 2015 @ 5:43 pm
Work can be a dirty word instead of seeing it as a gift. I think about those who would give anything for a job just to feed their families. It’s interesting that all over the world, even in the remotest jungle, they deal with this issue too. I remember one of the village ladies kept coming to me for money and I at first gave it to her until I found out she was too lazy to plant a garden for her family. I am all for helping and might do the same as the manager did , once, but if that once was abused…then that young man would not be working for me. Anytime there is an “all about me” mentality there will be laziness involved.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 @ 12:52 am
Hah. I so agree to that. Some people wants their week to be all Friday somehow.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 @ 9:50 am
I have missed your writing, Floyd! I went back to work teaching 7th grade a year ago and I know EXACTLY what you are talking about in this post. My values and way of life is so foreign to this generation. All I can do is continue to be who I am while trying to build a connection with these kids so they learn something about important life values. Thanks for your thoughts! Blessings! Rachael
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 @ 7:48 pm
As I’ve said very often, “Life Gets Complicated!” Hearing so many situations re: jobs, and other things in our present-day world is really grabbing my heart. I’m very concerned. AND when I saw the picture I had to smile. My sister has it, and I added one that’s very similar with the guy doing the golf on that place. Made her smile. Anyhow, thanks for sharing. Bless you, Bro.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 @ 12:57 am
My grandpa used to say “Work for the hunger that comes.” That’s solid advice, the problem today is that very few have ever experienced the hunger pains that come from not working. In much of today’s Western culture it’s those who don’t work who are fed the best.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 @ 9:09 am
Hi Floyd,
How hard for that waitress to ask for that day off, but neat that he wanted to see his brother one last time. If relationships are important to him, and he uses courage to fight for that, perhaps he’ll be a loyal good fit for the job after all. 🙂
How are you and your family doing? How is the writing going? Does it feel different to have the ponytail gone? 🙂
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 @ 6:51 pm
We’re doing fine overall. The writing is on and off with a busy schedule. And yeah, the hair feels different, especially when washing it… I never knew I’d save so much time! Blessings to you and yours, Jennifer… and welcome home, sister.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 @ 2:52 pm
I can’t imagine doing that, although there was a time before I accepted a job that I told them I had previously had a vacation planned and paid for less than a month after they had wanted me to start. I gave them the option of hiring me or not. Maybe it’s the same or maybe it’s not. I do work hard though no matter what. Is that a mix of old and new school? Not sure. 🙂 Thanks Floyd.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 @ 4:06 pm
I am not use to this day and age either when young people expect to be entitled to everything with little or no effort. I’m old school, too, and have plenty of biblical references to back up my stand. This makes me realize, once again, how fortunate I was to work for a man from the south with old fashioned values and fairness. Even so, I worked in sales and that means when a client came in even just before closing you stayed. My social life went down the drain.