Xerxes was that manager all guys like. If you were a straight shooter, did your job, and showed respect, you were untouchable. This was at my least favourite restaurant job, I despised much of the staff, but he was always a gem. Unlike other gutless managers he called out people and fired those who deserved…

My roommate came downstairs as I cracked open a beer and downed it in 10 seconds. It was a weekday and there wasn’t a special occasion. He saw me do this a few times lately but said nothing. But he was intrigued enough by now to demand an explanation. He looked at me in a…

There’s an early episode of The Simpsons where Homer reluctantly wears a pink shirt to work. He’s spotted by Mr. Burns, mocked by colleagues, and sent to a mental asylum. Michael Jackson guest starred and I don’t remember the point, but for years afterwards I laughed whenever I saw a bright, pink shirt. That’s what…

“I Sell Bull Semen.” -Sam at the Bartop  It was probably Thursday night. The place wasn’t busy as I had in-depth conversations with customers at the bar. A young man, probably in his mid-20s, sat at the bartop. I didn’t like working there (a pizza place in the suburbs), mostly due to management. But I…

“It’s just a bag blowing in the wind… do you have any idea how complicated your circulatory system is?” -God, Family Guy The restaurant industry is like war. 95% of the time it’s boring and mundane and the other 5% is interesting and chaotic. It’s not like how it’s portrayed in Hollywood: Not every staff…

“Grant stood by me when I was crazy, and I stood by him when he was drunk, and now we stand by each other.” -William Tecumseh Sherman Every bartender has that friend. Someone they met in the industry, is always down for drinking, and follows you from bar job to bar job. If you’ve seen…