Can I get you guys anything else?

On the weekends this summer, I have been working at a sushi restaurant. It is a tiny little sushi place in Stony Brook, with the most excellent sushi in town. My job is not too difficult, all I have to do is meet and greet people, take their drink orders, and help clear the tables when the customers leave. Nothing too earth-shattering, but since I've never worked in a restaurant until now, I've never had the opportunity to truly get the benefits of people-watching so much!

Since it's such a small restaurant, even if I'm not even trying, I can overhear most people's conversations. I'm not talking word for word, I can usually just get the gist of what they're talking about, which is so interesting. For example, last night there was a group of 4 people sitting close to me, and they whole time they talked about computer programs, and which one was best for computing data, and they talked about derivative and math formulas (throwback) and then when I came over to clear their plates they were having a lively debate about environmental policy and conservation. Such academics! It really made me wonder what they all did for a living. I wondered if they were professors at Stony Brook University, which is only about 5 minutes away from the restaurant, or were they scientists, or just business people who liked talking about math and science while eating miso soup and California rolls.

Then there was the family with the obnoxious dad. This guy, who I wouldn't be surprised if he was in the mafia, come in and act like they own the place. This drives me nuts. It's a restaurant. Congrats if you're friends with the owner, but do you REALLY need to cause a scene. I mean, really, is it necessary to demand to sit at the sushi bar when it's already full and then kind of just shout instead of talk for the rest of the night so that people realize you're here and important because you know the owner? Really?

Anyways, his tween-aged daughters texted the whole night, and he and his wife obnoxiously carried on loud conversations with the owner of the restaurant. They were quite difficult, and felt the need for us to roll out the red carpet for them. I know, "the customer is always right," but did they really need to order cappuccino which took about 20 minutes to make while the place was packed? HOO orders cappuccino at a sushi restaurant. And then HOO leaves a crappy tip at the end of the whole extravaganza. RUDE. But oh well, it takes all types to make the world go round.

Then there was the party of 7, who were very pleasant at first, except for the two sons, (ages 12 and 15 if I had to guess) who were unfortunately still in that stage of thinking being rude and annoying was just plain hilarious. News-flash boys: it's not that funny. Not at all.

And then there's the perfect customers: the elderly couple, I think they're music professors, who always order pretty much the same thing, who are so cute and quiet, and very friendly and have very good manners, and just chat quietly and drink green tea, and then always tell us how great their meal was! They are champs, and it's unbelievable how just being kind and grateful is all it takes to put someone in a good mood. It's not that difficult, and I'd suggest some more people try this approach. Such champs.

Finally, there was a guy last night who came in alone. I'd never seen him in the restaurant before, and he was kind of shy and didn't speak English too well. He was studying a sheet with a bunch of math formulas while he ate for a while, but other than that he just drank his Japanese beer and enjoyed his meal. And, even though he seemed content, he broke my heart. Saturday night, and I don't know if this guy had anywhere else to be. I don't know if he was traveling through Long Island, and just stopped here for the night, if he lived here and just needed some alone time, if he was usually alone, or, I mean, for all I know, he was a secret agent doing investigative research of the restaurant (doubtful). Either way, it killed me that he was in there alone, and I wanted to go over and sit with him, but, because that would be inappropriate, the only thing you can do is just be pleasant. I hope this guy had a family somewhere, and maybe they just weren't around last night, but when I see situations like this, I remember how lucky I am to have so many great people in my life who I really care about, and who really care about me.

Sorry that was a bit sappy, but I hope it paints a nice picture of the restaurant: A Day in the Life, if you will. Rockstar of the Day is Rob, my dad, because it's father's day, and he's the best dad. Ever. In the history of dads. Hands down. But, Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there! Enjoy your day! P&B.