“He was a jerk”, I said. “He wasn’t that bad”, she replied… shrug and sigh. She couldn’t do much else but shrug and sigh after he and his family left, but the guy was a jerk. She’s a professional server in the food industry… he’s a guy who wants to feel important for an hour by pushing someone around… I thought about it the whole walk home.
Role playing… it can bring out the best and worst in people. Our “sophisticated” culture allows us to skim a view of people’s character by examining their behavior when they’re playing the role of a temporary employer of someone in the service industry. Take a good look at others or yourself next time you are out to eat. It may be an eye opener.
I served tables for the better part of two years and some people really enjoy the freedom to push you around when they know they can get away with it. You’d be surprised who treats people with respect and who doesn’t when they are placed in a position of power over you. I know I was.
I served lunch once to a high profile politician here in Arizona at the restaurant I used to work for. They were really rude and had a sense of entitlement that was a turn off. I won’t mention their name because that won’t help anyone, but I will never vote for that person. Everytime I see them on tv I feel like I know what they’re really like and I don’t want them playing a part in making laws for a group of people that they feel superior to.
I want to put a reminder out there… If there are people in your life who play the role of servant toward you recognize that you’re on stage too. Give them just as much respect as they give you. It will end up blessing both of you.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” - James 4:6
