RANT ON
Just wanted to share something with you guys which you will understand:
Last night, at the restaurant I work, Mr Tom enters. He comes often and is well known by the staff. We all know that he is a WWII veteran and hero. And although Mr Tom had booked the manageres seats him on the worst table in the house, right next to the kitchen doors! Needless to say I was disgusted and appalled!

If it was me, I would have given him the best place and his bottle of wine for free. This is no way to threat someone who fought for our freedom!
Apologies for ranting this here but I feel sick when I about it and sorry for the gentleman. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

RANT OFF

Although you made it clear you were in rant mode and were therefore perhaps just making the broader valid point about respect for our veterans, I'm betting the specific situation you described has more to it than meets the eye.

Any chance we could have some context to this story?

Mr Tom is a veteran but does he want to be treated any different? Does he want the best seat in the house with free bottle of wine because of his veteran status? Don't get me wrong, all my respect goes to anyone who puts his life on the line for a noble casue and I do believe that we are taking a lot of things in our life for granted not even thinking twice that maybe freedom I enjoy today was not my birth right but something earned by people like Mr Tom with their blood. There is an iffy line between showing respect and being over attentive. Maybe Mr Tom is not making big deal out of his vetaran status. He did what he had to do but it is over. Again I don't know the exact cirumstances about your rant and where it came from.

I will say it that artificial inflation of ones past actions will have a negative aspect on their life. Yes Mr. Tom should be respected. Yes Mr Tom should be given privilages and be helped. He should get his seat first, he should be greeted and
extended courtesy of managment but it all has to be done naturally. Going out with hymhs and fanfares just because Mr Tom showed up is not a good idea.

Matt

Reinhardt,

IMHO: Never mind where he was seated; he's a big boy and can fend for himself if he chooses. However, when he next comes in, speak to him and politely listen to him. Vet or not, he's an "elder" in life and if his mind is still sharp, would probably enjoy chatting with a young man such as yourself. Heck, perhaps he has fascinating stories to tell - and probably not about WWII. None of my relatives who fought in WWII will discuss much about it, which I believe I understand. Just not polite conversation and besides, I wasn't there.

<shrug> He may be a bore or he may be very interesting, but it would be nice of you to personally take note of him.

Kind of you to notice the gentleman in the first place.

Tom

Well said ... I agree completely.

Gentlemen,
Thank for your responses.
When Mr Tom visits the restaurant I always try and exchange some words with him about his aviation career but generally try to avoid his role as commando in WWIII

When he dined on remembrance day upon exiting I had a chance to speak to him in private:-
"I just want to thank you for what you have done for our freedom"
He took my hand, the ex-commando replied:
"Thank you, it means a lot to me"
Upon exiting he further mentioned:
"You know what they say, you're worth fighting for".

That was the best compliment I've been given for a long time and it touched me.

Whenever I have dealings with a veteran I always try to go the extra mile. They are worth it. Whether they want it, is good point
raised. But I agree with the idea that veterans should get a card that allows them to get goods and services cheaper and better because their sacrifices created a better place for the rest of us.

Just to expand upon explaining the situation. Although all the tables of two were booked he was the first in. If the better tables in the house are free than you do not place an old man in a corner by the kitchen doors, yet that did happen. Thats what got me going.

Reinhardt

Yep.. Okay... that gave me a little chill down my spine. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Reminds me of my late grandfather (who btw would never or ask for special treatment of any kind) who was also a WWII vet. Sounds exactly how he would reply to your kind and respectful words of gratitude and appreciation.

Obviously your boss made a serious faux pax. A. It may have been deliberate or one of those short sighted decisions we all make. B. your friend may or may not have taken offense. What truly matters here is C. which is you. Manners, respect, civility- what used to be the mark of a gentleman or lady regardless of social 'station' has been nearly overwhelmed by the goosestepping of slobs in athletic shoes made by sweatshop labour. During my very brief european visit I was on the transit in Vienna. I was standing up. An elderly man @ 80 boarded. Immediately a women @ 50 yielded her seat, upon which a man @ 30 gave her his. Not one, but two kids in Punker regalia rose and offered their places to the man and myself. Now if you can see everyone with that equal respect and humility you will be known as a gentleman to all who understand it's true meaning. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The only thing that i might add to the good advice in this thread is in a very polite way ask your boss about his seating choices. Don't ask in a way that is accusatory, you might learn something. He may not have given any thought to the decision, or he may know that Mr Tom wants to be in the back near the bathroom. And being in the food business you already know that for girl watching that sitting near the bathrooms is the best place to be.

LOL ... It's funny cause it's true! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have never been so lonely that I would choose to sit near the restrooms just so I could see an attractive woman.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Brian and Chris,
A delight to read your kind words. Thank you both.

What I forgot to tell was,the problem with the place of seating was that every time the kitchen door opened it early hit him on the back of the chair. While he could not actually look into the kitchen.

In the restaurant you walk through an "alleyway" (is the best description) then the restaurant "opens up". He was just sitting in the "alleyway" with is back towards the bar area. Irritating as staff and customers walk past you towards the actual seating area and suddenly apear next to you.


This table is the furthest away from the toilet. Actually we hardly use the table anyway, so why Mr Tom was seated there remains a mystery to me. Maybe I will ask Ray. But I find it hard to translate into words wich do not seem accusatory.

Reinhardt

Usually when i ask the boss a question that brings his authority or competence into question i try to phrase it in such a way that it doesn't sound like i am questioning his sanity. First thing, if you say anything wait till you have a chance to cool off, and i do not mean that in any negative way on your part. I don't want you get fired. In your line of work you might try asking your boss how he decides who gets the prime real estate out in front and who would wind up with the table in the alley. If you need to explain it further i would not mention any names, just say that two long time customers came in a few nights ago and one was seated in the alley and the other wound up out in front. Just wait a while till you can ask the question and keep a calm mind. From your description so far, Mr. Tom was a single on a busy night and your boss decided to put just one patron at the table in the back instead of several.

BTW, Pete the rest of us are not pretty and Italian like you.

RayW:

That's handsome!, not pretty as I don't swing that way. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I still have an unbelievably hard time convincing woman what a prize I could be even though they are looking at me; now that I think about it, it is even harder when they are looking at me. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

If he was a commando in WW[color:"red"]III[/color] , I do not think that I could stop myself from asking all kinds of questions <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I agree with your points on no unnaturally special treatment. While also agreeing entirely with Reinhardt about "every Sincere Respect / Regard", -and even a certain amount of *Proper* "Special Treatment", -as he and others describe. He should not be propped up onto a puffy throne, -but he should Not receive the "Doghouse Seat" either.

I understand that there are times, in the Restaurant World, when circumstances are that a lesser seat can't be avoided. But I also understand from what Rerinhardt has said, -that this Fine Person and Veteran *Routinely* receives such Doghouse Seat! Come On!, -"Unfortunate Lightning", -while perhaps occurring twice, -certainly does Not occur every situation or day!

And Judgeing by this Patron's Response to Reinhardt, -I think the Far Greateer Likleihood lies *with* this Patron / Veteran's *Appreciation* of Reihardt's Tribute, -rather than Other or Opposite.

How would ones of Us Feel, -if we recently had to fight in Fallujah, -in the Fine and Perilous way that our Marines, Army, and Airmen recently did, -only to find Sham Treatment awaiting us for it, -decades down the road! And as with he, -from our Fellow American Countrymen! (( His are South African, our's are (North) American.))

Reminds me of what a Famous Roman said, -about Dying in the Saharan Sands, -for the type of "Awareness" and "Appreciation", -as he and his Comrades routinely got from his Fellow Romans back Home!

Of course as the Roman Empire neared it's End, -who did the average Roman look to!?, -when it came to Defending their very villas from such Barbarian's at the Gate!? Yet many a Fine Roman Horatio, -Still Answered such Call! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Polak187[/email]