A family came into Dempseys last night; a man, a woman and their two elementary school aged sons. I did my usual welcome routine, got their drink and food orders and went about my normal duties. When I brought their food out to them, one of the kids said, can I ask you a question? I knelt down to make eye-level contact with the two kids, as I always do when serving children. I respond with Why yes sir, you may. He leans in a little and in a hushed tone of voice, he told me Its my moms birthday and um... I was wondering if we could do something special for her. The mother, who was sitting right next to and thus within obvious earshot of her son, blushed with part self-awareness and part gratefulness. I took pause because I was not immediately aware of what I could do for her sons, who wanted to make her day. Suggesting that we all do car bombs probably would not have been appropriate, so I thought better of that. Instead, I said Ill tell you what... Im going to go check on my other tables and when I get back, we will bounce some ideas, okay? He nodded approvingly. After I checked my tables, I ran back to the kitchen and braced myself for the possibility that I might have to sing a hokey restaurant birthday song. I didnt want to settle for that, so I intended to go back to the table to see what ideas the boys had conjured up. Thats when I realized I had something in my pocket... something I ALWAYS carry in my pocket. I went back to the table and the kids hadnt thought of anything, so I knelt down again and suggested, well, why dont we all sing happy birthday for your mom really loud? They smiled and nodded with approval while their parents giggled at the impending disruption that we were about to make. I grew this shit-eating smile on my face as I reached into my pocket and pulled out my harmonica. This isnt your Chi-Chis happy birthday. We all sang happy birthday while I played harmonica, and the smiles on all of their faces and their excited applause just melted away the previous frustrations of my day. I put a cherry on top of it by telling the mom that she didnt look a day over 31. We shared a laugh and I moved on to another task. It was a refreshing reminder that Im in the entertainment business no matter where I happen to be working, and that I havent just learned how to play music well ... Ive learned how to give people awesome memories. It was a feeling so cathartic that I will attempt to relive it with every table I serve from now on. Its also a story with a moral purpose: The Happy Birthday Song stalks every man like a thief in the night... so always keep a harmonica in your pocket.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 23:55:47 +0000
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