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Wolfgang Puck can’t find waiters because of labor shortage


Armybrat

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17 hours ago, Brothahorn said:

I know 2 kids who went the TSTI route. Neither one was 'college material'. But both were hard working and wanted something more. One is know a diesel mechanic in East Texas and the other works for the FAA. Both are in their early 30s and living better than some of the fools who questioned their choices.

Not having more vocational opportunities and learning is criminal negligence, IMO.

I know quite a few plumbers who probably have more money in the bank than me.  Of course, I spend like a drunken sailor.

 

 

I do hope that the trade school route becomes more of an admirable option in the future.  

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21 minutes ago, closetohumping said:

I know quite a few plumbers who probably have more money in the bank than me.  Of course, I spend like a drunken sailor.

 

 

I do hope that the trade school route becomes more of an admirable option in the future.  

My family are all electricians. I went to college and my cousin, who is the same age, started the apprenticeship. I came out on the other side with student loan debt, and he came out as a medium/high voltage specialist with a company truck and zero debt. Both routes have their trade offs, but the trade school option can be very good for some. 

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31 minutes ago, closetohumping said:

I know quite a few plumbers who probably have more money in the bank than me.  Of course, I spend like a drunken sailor.

 

 

I do hope that the trade school route becomes more of an admirable option in the future.  

If ever there was a profession completely misjudged by the youth, it's got to be plumber.  In a kids brain the plumber is on the same level as janitor or something.  Then you grow up get a house and have to call a plumber.  That first plumbing bill is awakening.

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9 minutes ago, Gene Parmesan said:

If ever there was a profession completely misjudged by the youth, it's got to be plumber.  In a kids brain the plumber is on the same level as janitor or something.  Then you grow up get a house and have to call a plumber.  That first plumbing bill is awakening.

Kid brain = plumber shows up, fiddles under the sink because that's the only place there's pipes and shows butt crack

Teenage brain = plumber shows up, seduces hot housewife and lays pipe

Real life = plumber shows up, digs up your yard, cuts holes in your walls and is under your house and sends you a huge bill 

Edited by Js1
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5 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Kid brain = plumber shows up, fiddles under the sink because that's the only place there's pipes and shows butt crack

Teenage brain = plumber shows up, seduces hot housewife and lays pipe

Real life = plumber shows up, digs up your yard, cuts holes in your walls and is under your house and sends you a huge bill ....after laying pipe to your wife

fify

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53 minutes ago, closetohumping said:

I know quite a few plumbers who probably have more money in the bank than me.  Of course, I spend like a drunken sailor.

 

 

I do hope that the trade school route becomes more of an admirable option in the future.  

After the big freeze earlier this year, we had a guy come out for something small.  His asst. said he'd done in two weeks enough orders to equate to more than $30k.  In this current market, you want to talk bank, let's talk about appraisers.  Almost all are 1099.  Some AMCs hire W2 panel appraisers.  One tried to get a guy to cover Houston, offered him a BASE of $400K + bennies.....and the guy turned them down.  It's insane right now.  Problem with that market are the significant barriers to entry to become one.  You'll starve for years, and that assumes you can find someone willing to apprentice you.  

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22 minutes ago, BabaYaga said:

After the big freeze earlier this year, we had a guy come out for something small.  His asst. said he'd done in two weeks enough orders to equate to more than $30k.  In this current market, you want to talk bank, let's talk about appraisers.  Almost all are 1099.  Some AMCs hire W2 panel appraisers.  One tried to get a guy to cover Houston, offered him a BASE of $400K + bennies.....and the guy turned them down.  It's insane right now.  Problem with that market are the significant barriers to entry to become one.  You'll starve for years, and that assumes you can find someone willing to apprentice you.  

giphy.gif&f=1&nofb=1

then

old-lady-adjusting-glasses-computer-300x

Google "W2 panel appraisers"

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I feel for these laid off workers but sitting on your ass waiting for a "better" job to magically appear while having no income is a losing proposition. Man vs "the system" rarely ever ends in favor of the man. Just adding to the debt and/or draining more savings, if they have any to start with.

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On 6/26/2021 at 7:40 AM, Js1 said:

When you boil them down to just jotting orders on a paper and refilling your water cup, you can justify paying them a couple dollars an hour, Bc they’re too fucking dumb for real money! 

Nice elitism there, fatty 

I just heard a promo for a radio show or podcast about the secrets of really good waiters, and the host mentioned this one guy...Somebody at the table would ask what was good that night, probably expecting him to say whatever was most expensive. He would basically say almost anything other than what was most expensive, thereby winning their trust. From there on out they'd be putty in his hands -- would the lady like another glass of wine, how do we all feel about dessert -- and what he'd given up on at the front end was more than compensated on the back.

And not just for him, but the Fattyflattie type who owns the restaurant. Drinks and desserts are higher margin than entrees. 

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5 minutes ago, Storm the Field said:

Pick your preferred narrative:

 

 

 

Lol. Its a jump to conclusion study  

Office Space Idea GIF
 

tate
June 12 Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri
June 19 Alabama, Idaho, Indiana*, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming
June 26 Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah
June 27 Montana, Oklahoma
July 3 Maryland, Tennessee
July 10 Arizona
July 31 Louisiana
Sept. 6 All other states not listed above, and those states* affected by subsequent decisions


 

https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/indiana-ordered-to-reinstate-extra-unemployment-benefits-could-other-25-states-follow/
 

#narrative 

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3 minutes ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

I just heard a promo for a radio show or podcast about the secrets of really good waiters, and the host mentioned this one guy...Somebody at the table would ask what was good that night, probably expecting him to say whatever was most expensive. He would basically say almost anything other than what was most expensive, thereby winning their trust. From there on out they'd be putty in his hands -- would the lady like another glass of wine, how do we all feel about dessert -- and what he'd given up on at the front end was more than compensated on the back.

And not just for him, but the Fattyflattie type who owns the restaurant. Drinks and desserts are higher margin than entrees. 

Way back when I was in the trade, those were called "add-ons."  Appetizers, drinks, and desserts were where the restaurant made bank.  Entrees are almost a loss-leader.   As a waiter, sure, you gave up a slight amount of $$ when you recommend the $18 entree instead of the $40 entree....but if you sold them a bottle of wine and two desserts, you 1) more than made up for it, and 2) they were loose and happy and were more likely to tip big.

Not exactly secret tricks of the trade.

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7 minutes ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

I just heard a promo for a radio show or podcast about the secrets of really good waiters, and the host mentioned this one guy...Somebody at the table would ask what was good that night, probably expecting him to say whatever was most expensive. He would basically say almost anything other than what was most expensive, thereby winning their trust. 

Similar to the phenomenon where a restaurant's best-selling wine is their 2nd cheapest option. Nobody wants to look like a cheapskate and order the bottom of the barrel option, so they pick one level up from that. You can find 2 bottles that cost the exact same wholesole, make one the cheapest option and make the other your 2nd cheapest and you'll sell the shit out of the 2nd cheapest.

Edited by Storm the Field
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2 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

I'm always rooting for the Man vs the System but again, those wins are very few and far between. If there are any success stories, share them so we can celebrate. 

 

Things seem to have worked out pretty good for the Dude and Walter.

 

I'm just posting lebowski memes because surly (and again think that this thread is more about restaurant folks saying "fuck this profession" rather than bums hammering welfare checks), but for a great "fuck the system" story and a good documentary if you like the music, "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" follows the band Wilco making the now classic album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Part of the story is that their label didn't "get" the album and when Wilco wouldn't budge, they dropped the band, who walked away with ownership of the masters. The band self released the album (i think actually on 9/11/2001), it was a critical success, and a different imprint from the same record label group picked up the band and bought the album. So, columbia or sony or whoever it was paid to make the album, said "this sucks go with our blessing", and then later came back and said "can we give you lots of money for this record".

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3 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

We give companies billions in corporate welfare and tax breaks. Rarely do those monies directly go to hiring more people.

But when we give people welfare, it's fucking socialism. 

I don't get this weird obsession with screwing the Man over but giving a pass to insure C-level salaries and bonuses.

Summer GIF

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5 minutes ago, hookemATL said:

Summer GIF

Jesus loves capitalism, or more specifically giving free money to companies, CEOs and their buddies. But he does not love helping out the common folk.

Fuck the poor, cause Jesus hated the poor. It says so many many many times in the Bible.

161210-michaelson-jesus-rich-tease_qzyma

Edited by crash_davis
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1 hour ago, Gene Parmesan said:

If ever there was a profession completely misjudged by the youth, it's got to be plumber.  In a kids brain the plumber is on the same level as janitor or something.  Then you grow up get a house and have to call a plumber.  That first plumbing bill is awakening.

Worth it though. Fuck plumbing.

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28 minutes ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

And not just for him, but the Fattyflattie type who owns the restaurant.

Lol.  I went to a few places for wife’s bday this weekend. Wife’s plate didn’t come out with entree (crab cake collapsed?) and apparently they didn’t tell the server. Other than that, all was well. Of course we didn’t bitch because shit happens, and she just ate a bunch of mine. All’s well, wasn’t servers fault (I assume he didn’t forget to place) and left a solid tip.   Didn’t care to ask but they didn’t seem short staffed at all.  Second place definitely wasn’t, but I think they hire mostly familia, and is a popping place even thru the pandemic (takeout).  I’m guessing some of the higher end places aren’t having the same issues?  Seems like those are better jobs than say, Chili’s. 

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40 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

I'm always rooting for the Man vs the System but again, those wins are very few and far between. If there are any success stories, share them so we can celebrate. 

That’s far too bold.  Stick to the narrative.

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1 hour ago, BabaYaga said:

After the big freeze earlier this year, we had a guy come out for something small.  His asst. said he'd done in two weeks enough orders to equate to more than $30k.  In this current market, you want to talk bank, let's talk about appraisers.  Almost all are 1099.  Some AMCs hire W2 panel appraisers.  One tried to get a guy to cover Houston, offered him a BASE of $400K + bennies.....and the guy turned them down.  It's insane right now.  Problem with that market are the significant barriers to entry to become one.  You'll starve for years, and that assumes you can find someone willing to apprentice you.  

Yeah, entry isn't easy at all and I'm not super mechanical.  I will say, these guys are almost like mechanics.  I've heard people have received quotes from 600.00 to 10k for the same problem

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2 hours ago, Doc Sam Beckett said:

My family are all electricians. I went to college and my cousin, who is the same age, started the apprenticeship. I came out on the other side with student loan debt, and he came out as a medium/high voltage specialist with a company truck and zero debt. Both routes have their trade offs, but the trade school option can be very good for some. 

Your cousin comes from a family of electricians so he sees the benefits of being an electrician. In fact I bet a fair number of newly trained/in-training electricians initially knows someone in the business. That's always a good path to an apprenticeship.

I think there are many people that just have no idea what to do for a living. Honesty I was in that boat somewhat when I graduated from UT. I had no family connections/advice, average GPA, and UT did shit to help me find a job or even identify future career options. I was able to carve a path for myself but mainly because I didn't want to be poor or living paycheck to paycheck.

If I was suddenly 22 with just completing my UT degree and it was 2021 instead of the late 90s, I'm not entirely sure what I would do first to find a career.

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Just now, Incredulity said:

Sounds bootstrappy... the cabal isn't going to like that.

My point is that there will always be a certain percent of self-motivating people. Then a percent of people that need a slight nudge and finally a large percentage of people that need to be pulled into their career. Unfortunately most younger people do not have someone that can pull them into a job anymore.

It's complete bs if someone thinks previous generations were all ambitious and self-motivating. My bet is that the percentages are almost always the same.

 

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3 minutes ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

It's complete bs if someone thinks previous generations were all ambitious and self-motivating. My bet is that the percentages are almost always the same.

 

The question then centers around incentives and expectations.  If you have significant incentives and your expectations are that you have to make this happen, it's shocking what you can accomplish.  You seem to see less and less of this now.

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1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

Way back when I was in the trade, those were called "add-ons."  Appetizers, drinks, and desserts were where the restaurant made bank.  Entrees are almost a loss-leader.   As a waiter, sure, you gave up a slight amount of $$ when you recommend the $18 entree instead of the $40 entree....but if you sold them a bottle of wine and two desserts, you 1) more than made up for it, and 2) they were loose and happy and were more likely to tip big.

Not exactly secret tricks of the trade.

Well, I was a barback / busboy combo, so I never learned how to manipulate people like you true front of house sociopaths. 

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Just now, BabaYaga said:

The question then centers around incentives and expectations.  If you have significant incentives and your expectations are that you have to make this happen, it's shocking what you can accomplish.  You seem to see less and less of this now.

The causes run deep but some people appear satisfied with their online life and don't seek out a satisfying real life. The odds of getting laid are low for a 30 year old obese guy that can only get a job delivering pizzas. So why try. And outside of basic housing and food, you don't need to much money to get by. If someone will provide you with housing, food, online connections and some basic tech, you're all set.

Depression could be part of the equation for someone in the situation but I don't think it's realistic to get that person into therapy. They don't want it.

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It would appear to me that the attractive female service industry workers have realized that an onlyfans site allows them to make more money and hang out at the pool all day instead of dealing with Karens and Chads who would like to speak to their manager.

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Just now, Nice Guy Eddie said:

The odds of getting laid are low for a 30 year old obese guy that can only get a job delivering pizzas. So why try. And outside of basic housing and food, you don't need to much money to get by. If someone will provide you with housing, food, online connections and some basic tech, you're all set.

This is depressing and and very accurate. 

You're fat?  Suck it up and do something about it?  Feel shamed?  Boo fucking hoo.  

Can't get a better job?  There are thousands of for hire signs everywhere.  Employers are desperate for reliable people.  That's about it.  Are marginally intelligent?  Great!  But can we count on you.  That's it.  Can you be counted on.  

Most people would rather sit around on their asses doing nothing and ponder why their lives have so little meaning.  It's a GD mystery.......

 

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9 minutes ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

Well, I was a barback / busboy combo, so I never learned how to manipulate people like you true front of house sociopaths. 

 

3 minutes ago, conVINCEd said:

It would appear to me that the attractive female service industry workers have realized that an onlyfans site allows them to make more money and hang out at the pool all day instead of dealing with Karens and Chads who would like to speak to their manager.

Being a front of house sociopath back in the day, even I figured out that "sex sells."  When I had a table of older women, did I flirt shamelessly with the in order to inspire a bigger tip, and did it often work?  Yes as to both.  I was 100% willing to sell my dignity for an extra $10 left on the table.  You do what you gotta do.  And I was young, with zero pride or shame.

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Just now, BabaYaga said:

This is depressing and and very accurate. 

You're fat?  Suck it up and do something about it?  Feel shamed?  Boo fucking hoo.  

Can't get a better job?  There are thousands of for hire signs everywhere.  Employers are desperate for reliable people.  That's about it.  Are marginally intelligent?  Great!  But can we count on you.  That's it.  Can you be counted on.  

Most people would rather sit around on their asses doing nothing and ponder why their lives have so little meaning.  It's a GD mystery.......

 

Good point. My observations in corp life, is that showing up and being somewhat reliable can ultimately make you successful. Obviously to some extent. You're not going to be CEO just because you come to work on-time everyday, but you can have a good career by just doing what your boss asks you to do. It's really not a tough formula.

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23 minutes ago, Storm the Field said:

Yep, people shouldn't get out over their skis based on early data. On a sidenote, I wonder if anyone was posting MO unemployment claims numbers on Page 4 of this thread?

Narrator, they weren’t. They were posting about new claims which Mizzou gov publishes on their webpage. They don’t show unemployment week to week that I could find. When the June numbers are released they will include 12 days with federal benefits etc. When last weeks numbers are released we can is if it is a trend or an anomaly in regards to new claims.  

 

https://labor.mo.gov/data

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11 minutes ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

Good point. My observations in corp life, is that showing up and being somewhat reliable can ultimately make you successful. Obviously to some extent. You're not going to be CEO just because you come to work on-time everyday, but you can have a good career by just doing what your boss asks you to do. It's really not a tough formula.

Best performer on my team is a HS grad with two kids and recently married.  She was a single mom and has the best attitude around.  Humble.  Asks a lot of questions.  Insanely reliable, and genuinely acts like she wants to be here.  Wish I could clone her.  You can carve out a solid career just following this simple template.  Even had another sr leader try to horse-trade for her.  

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28 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

When the June numbers are released they will include 12 days with federal benefits

assuming you're talking about federal unemployment statistics collection, it's done the week of the month that has the 12th in it, so it won't show anything.  you'll have to wait for july. 

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.tn.htm

Edited by elfenix
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1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

 

Being a front of house sociopath back in the day, even I figured out that "sex sells."  When I had a table of older women, did I flirt shamelessly with the in order to inspire a bigger tip, and did it often work?  Yes as to both.  I was 100% willing to sell my dignity for an extra $10 left on the table.  You do what you gotta do.  And I was young, with zero pride or shame.

then you went to law school. heh.

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