In the restaurant world, the phrase “slow down to speed up” is crucial. It might seem counterintuitive, but when you’re in a bustling restaurant, the key is to maintain your composure and focus.
1. Servers who rush around like clowns slipping on banana peels are often more of a mess than help. When they speed up, they’re prone to slapstick stumbling on stairs, causing sauce and noodles to splatter on walls, shoes, and ceilings.
2. Food runners who swoop out of the kitchen with incorrect meals without verifying the table numbers and hightail it before anyone can say anything are like robbers who drop their valuables and flee before being caught. This leaves the rest of the party with jaws dropping and sad faces—one vegetarian diner is left staring at a steak.
3. Bartenders who don’t take their time to be precise and meticulous end up being sloppy like monkeys making mocktails. They mishandle flutes, snifters, and goblets, leading to broken glass and spilled drinks. This rough approach causes shattered glass to mix with ice, turning their bar into a disaster zone.
4. Bussers who scramble across the floor and collide with servers and each other transform the dining room into a football field. Plates are jostled and dirty dishes are knocked over. To get everything back on track, managers end up calling a desperate Hail Mary play.
5. Overeager hosts who race through seating arrangements and head to tables like they’re in a track meet can make guests feel unwelcome and unimportant. They might get a fast start but end up speeding past the needs of their guests, creating a situation where diners feel left in the dust.
6. In the restaurant world, "being in the weeds" is more than just a state of being overwhelmed; it's a mindset where you feel buried under a mountain of tasks and deadlines. As things get busier, you might think that speeding up is the solution. However, the key is to adopt the mindset of matcha green tea—focused, alert, and calm. Accept the situation, stay present, and approach each task lightly. Be in the moment and ask for help. By handling each responsibility mindfully, you can manage the increased workload without losing your cool.
7. Reflecting on what I learned about slowing down to speed up from my restaurant experiences, it's clear that balance is key. In a busy restaurant, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but just like in a long race or on a football field, maintaining your pace is essential. Find that sweet spot where you’re energetic and efficient. Approach each task with the clarity and alertness of matcha green tea. Embrace the rhythm, stay centered, and avoid the slapstick antics of a clown, the panic of a robber, or frantic of a monkey.
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