Things to NOT do While Going to a Restaurant

Ok, for those of you who don't know, I work in a restaurant.  I work at Della Ventura's Italian Ristorante and Pizzeria in Greer and have been there for three years.  Three years is plenty long enough to develop some pet peeves with customers, so I'm going to give everyone a little bit of restaurant "etiquette", so to speak.  I may update this at a later time with some more information, so you should pay attention to this.


1. Say the restaurant you're going to closes at 9.  Do NOT walk in at 8:45.  Or at least don't walk in at 8:45 and expect everyone to be happy that you're there.  If you MUST walk in so late, tip your waitress well.  


2.  Similar to number one, if a restaurant closes at 9, don't sit in your seat "chatting" until 10.  You can talk outside the restaurant.  Don't sit there and hold your waitress up, because she can't clean your table in her section if you're sitting there.  Also, the employees in the kitchen can't go home until you leave, because until you're out of the restaurant, we don't know if you're going to order something else or not.  AND, you're holding up the busboys and dishwashers, because they have to clean up the table and wash the dishes, which they obviously can't do until you LEAVE. See how much of a problem you are? Seriously... move.


3. We understand that you like your food how you like it, but honestly, if you make so many modifications to your food that it doesn't really resemble the original dish at all, then order something more normal.  OR, if you make 10 changes to your food and insist on having it that way, then don't pitch a fit if it comes out incorrectly. Suck it up and eat it.  It's not our fault you're difficult.


4. Everyone loves kids.  Well, except for the annoying/messy ones.  What do I mean by this?  The ones who scream and/or talk really loudly so that half the restaurant and its employees can hear them, or the ones whose parents allow them to order something really messy, like pasta in a lot of sauce or something like that.  Don't let your kids eat something that they're going to get all over the table, because you're not the one who's going to have to clean it up.


5.  For those of you who are really picky eaters, listen here.  If you don't like something, you can send the dish back and have the restaurant make you something else.  However, don't eat half of it and then send it back.  That's rude and most likely, the place isn't going to take it off your bill or give you a free dessert or something like that.  


6. Three things regarding your server... first of all, asking for 15 different things throughout the course of the meal is ridiculous.  You don't need five different kinds of dressing, three cups of ketchup, and so on.  Second, if you see that your server (a female in particular) has a wedding ring on, be considerate and don't flirt with them.  It's rude and almost degrading.  Grow up.  Third, tip well.  If your server was attentive and friendly, she deserves a good tip.  They make just over $2 an hour, so your tip is what he/she is living off of, and you have no idea how much it makes their day when they get a good tip.  


That's all I can think of for now.  If I missed any, let me know.  Just keep this in mind next time you go out to eat somewhere, like when some of you go out for Valentine's Day tomorrow.  

Unacceptable and Unwanted

Intro

This is another chic post (although it can apply to males as well), but I feel this stuff needs to be said.  I am not referring to myself, just so everyone knows.  I've simply seen and heard a lot about this and decided to do some research, and am just sharing my finds so people are aware.  Personal safety and awareness is something that I do not take lightly, so I'm always trying to learn new things on offensive behaviors and habits, as well as how to deal with them.

The Issue

I'm talking about sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment in the workplace is a widespread problem, and not something to be taken lightly.  Chances are, you or someone you know has encountered some form of this issue at some point in their working lifetime.  There are different forms of sexual harassment; among these are verbal, physical, and visual.  I didn't know that this type of harassment was not limited to unwanted and intrusive physical contact.  It can be sexual comments about a person, sexual jokes, and the like.  We hear this stuff all the time, right?  Maybe even laugh at it, because we are so immune to the fact that it is WRONG.  

The problem is that we often just accept it as being a product of today's society.  We shouldn't.  The most comprehensive definition that I found for this issue is "unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment.”

If there is someone in your workplace who frequently directs a conversation toward things of a sexual nature, steer away from it.  It they continue to do this, then that's sexual harassment.  The key is that you don't accept it and that you make sure to let the offender know that you don't enjoy or approve of their conduct.

Re-read the latter part of that definition.  If the action doesn't affect your own personal work performance but creates a hostile work environment, then it's still harassment!  This is not acceptable.  

The Details

1- The conduct must be unwanted and uninvited.  If you encourage it or respond to it positively, then it cannot be considered as harassment.  

2- One incident doesn't count as harassment.  It must be several "minor" incidents.

3- If the conduct makes you uncomfortable, especially to the point that you refuse a promotion or other work opportunity because it will put you in contact with the harasser, then this obviously qualifies.

What To Do

This type of conduct is against the law.  Confront the harasser and let them know that their actions are not acceptable, whatever they may be.  If they continue to made advances, then notify your employer immediately and (in a confidential meeting, of course) outline the different instances and request that they do something about it.  Because this is a federal offense, they have a legal obligation to address the issue.  

I'm finished ranting now.  Just something to be aware of, because I feel that this is an issue that is often overlooked, since our society today doesn't seem to have any boundaries.  It all just makes me sick.

My Affinity for At-home Spa Activities

Disclaimer: Two posts in one night, or an entire day even, is not something ya'll should get used to.  However, I did something tonight that might actually be of interest, so I'm writing about it before I lose my drive.  This is also somewhat of a chic post (I have those tendencies every once in a while), so to my guy friends, I do apologize.  There will be much football and revelry later on in the week with the upcoming Superbowl. :)

*****

I have a new-found affinity for  spa recipes and things of the sort, both homemade and store-bought.  I enjoy reading about these types of things and trying them out. My two most recent finds are the Garnier Fructis 3-minute Damage Reversal Treatment and some various homemade facial mask/scrub recipes.

Garnier Fructis 3-minute Damage Reversal Treatment

I found this on the shelf at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago ago and decided to give it a try.  I have extremely fine hair and have a hard time keeping it from getting damaged.  I never do anything to my hair because I don't want to take time away from my precious sleep to get up earlier to do something with it, which means I never straighten it or do anything else with intense heat.  I simply blow-dry (after applying a heat protectant), but I still get split/dead ends.  Up until I found this treatment, nothing really worked, and I was skeptical trying this.  That said, this stuff is GREAT.  I usually leave it on for more that three minutes, and use it once a week.  It's also under $5, so if you're looking for an inexpensive damage treatment, give this a try.  

Oatmeal

I've done quite a bit of reading lately about the benefits of oatmeal when applied to the face and finally resolved to try it out.  After looking at several different recipes, I decided to combine some of the ingredients that were common in all of them.  My recipe was as follows.  (For the oatmeal, I used my Magic Bullet to grind it up into a powder consistency.  Use whatever is going to work best for you.)

Oatmeal Face Mask

Ingredients

1/4 c oatmeal

1.5 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. honey

1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions: Grind the oatmeal into a powder.  Add the other ingredients and mix well.  (If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more olive oil and lemon juice to thin it out.)  Apply to your face, starting with your chin area. Work your way upward to your forehead, then cover the rest of your face.  Leave on until mixture dries, then wash it off.  For me, I re-wet the mixture and used it to exfoliate my face, then rinsed it off completely.  My face feels really soft and moisturized, and I get a sort of satisfaction knowing that I didn't have to use any chemicals to do so.  

If any ladies have recipes/products that they want to share, comment below!  I don't know if I have any female readers yet, so I kind of feel like I'm talking to myself when I say that.  *sigh*

Welcome

Introduction
Well hello there.  If you're reading this, I'm not sure whether you should consider yourself lucky or not, but thank you for stopping by.  This blog was kind of an inspiration from several different people, people who have urged me to get a blog or simply people who HAVE blogs.  I really don't like writing; I'm not really sure why I'm doing this.  I don't even write COHERENTLY half of the time.  So, I cannot promise you that I'm going to update this daily, or even frequently, for that matter.  It all depends on how much time I have and how ambitious I feel, and whether I feel I have anything interesting to share.  

A Little Bit About Me
I'm interested in much of the typical stuff that people my age are interested in.  I love music - mostly alternative, soulful stuff, although I love 90's rock and dubstep as well, in addition to the occasional country song.  I HATE pop music with every fiber of my being.  I think it's stupid and all the songs sound the same, with bad vocals and cookie-cutter music and increasingly-disgusting lyrics.  I love to line dance and I'm good at it.  I'm short on patience.  I'm very tomboyish and most of the talents that chics my age developed (A love for fashion and putting together outfits, doing hair and makeup, and not talking with my mouth full) seem to have skipped me.  I love to drive and would love to take a roadtrip out Route 66 someday.

In Closing
At any rate, as far as the blog content goes, I don't even know what type of blog this is going to be.  (You can tell I've really thought this out well, can't you?  I promise I'm more logical and methodical in everything else I do. Really.  You can stop snickering at me now.)  However, I'm hoping to figure that out after I add a few posts.  Anyway, I'll stop rambling now and let you get back to your daily life.  If you actually read this entire post, I'm impressed.  Hehe.