Monday, September 26, 2011

Things I Have Learned From Working in a Bakery/Cafe for 2 Weeks

Occasionally I like to impart helpful life tips to my dear readers, little pearls of wisdom to improve everyone's quality of life. And friends, the time has come for me to do so again.


This time I come to you with advice about how to comport oneself in a bakery or cafe setting. Now don't be discouraged if you find you have never thought of these things before. I confess I myself had no idea about any of this until after the two weeks I have spent behind the counter of the bagel cafe I work at today.
This particular establishment is a bakery that daily makes from scratch almost 20 kinds of bagels, 15 kinds of bread, and assorted pastries, cakes, and other tasty treats. We also offer a breakfast and lunch menu of sandwiches and soups, as well as a full-service coffee & tea counter. 

Let it be clear that I really enjoy my job, but there has emerged a pattern of unsettling behaviors in the various patrons. These are just a few things I have noticed:

(1) While dulcet tones are necessary and even applauded in a library or at a funeral, please speak up when placing your order. I don't know if you noticed the thirty other people around you or the sound of various machines, buzzers, and a grill, but each one is doing its best to drown you out.

(2) Do not become enraged when I inform you that you may not have sausage on your breakfast bagel. I am not personally trying to ruin your day, we simply do not carry it. This is not McDonald's. It is a bakery.

(3) Please do not ask me to "scoop out the inside" of your bagel. Really? Really?


(4) When I tell you certain kinds of our bagels cannot be toasted because they catch on fire, I'm not being dramatic or lazy. Because of the cheese or sugar glaze, they actually burst into flames in the toaster.

(5) The same goes for bagels that just came out of the oven. It's hard enough to slice a steaming hot pile of dough, asking me to toast it too is just cruel.

(6) Don't call in at 9:30 and ask us to make breakfast for 35 people, to be picked up at 10. We're not house elves (and still not McDonald's).

(7) Tips really are appreciated. Tips are the reason I have a beautiful new camera on its way to me right now.

(8) "Is this for here or to go?" For Pete's sake, it's not Sophie's Choice. Just decide so we can all move on with our lives.

(9) While I appreciate your tirade about how overpriced the baked goods are, please direct your tiresome rant to someone who actually has something to do with setting the prices. I feel I should also point out that if it bothers you so much, go home and make your own muffins. But I will refrain because I'm hoping there will be a tip in it for me if I smile apologetically and murmur words of agreement.

(10) "Thank you" is also really appreciated. Yes it's my choice to wake up before the sun and all other living creatures and spend all day on my feet making bagels, but that doesn't mean you need to forget your manners. We're all allowed to have bad days but I just handed you a blueberry danish the size of your face so I'd say it's looking up. How about a smile then?

So there we are. Remember these gentle hints and your local food service worker/barista/baker will thank you by slipping you extra cream cheese or something. Or at least by not spitting in your food.

Thank you and have a nice day!


Image 1 Source 
Image 2 Source

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wordless Wednesday


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Sunday Crumbs

Hello my dears, I'm sorry for the radio silence but I have been just too too tired to write a proper post. Until I get used to the 5 am mornings and the 40+ hour work week of real life, I'm afraid it will be quite dull around here.

In the meantime, here's another slew of snapshots from my week and things that made me happy:

Hannah, cousin/roommate/coworker. I love having someone to hang out with all the time. The fact that she looks fierce even while eating Panda Express is just a bonus.


Fortune cookies that tell me what I want to hear.


Shoes I can't afford and could never walk in but that I try on anyway.

Foot bath + massage. This happened. So wonderful.


Pictures of my little brother that my mom sends me. Nice lips, popsicle face.


My space heater. I can't believe it's cold enough to use it already.




Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sunday Crumbs

Happy Sunday, friends. Things are coming together here in Massachusetts and I am quite pleased to report I am enjoying myself immensely. 

Here's a few things that made me smile this weekend:

(1) Jessie, my uncle's pitbull, and her peanut butter obsession. Work that empty can, girl.


(2) The ridiculous amount of pillows on my new bed. Not one, or two, or even five, but NINE. Just enough for me to cry "EAAAAAGLE" and gracefully swan dive into bed.  Which I try to do at least once daily.


(3) The way the pillow my mother made me looks right at home in the blue shellback chair in my room.


(4) An extremely comfortable and bodaciously striped new skirt



(5) Buying a beautiful fall bouquet for no reason other than it was a lovely day for flowers. But then again, what day isn't? 




Saturday, September 10, 2011

Scenes from the Road: Video

Made it to Boston a couple of days ago. In between settling in and starting my new job, I made a video of the footage and photos I took on my road trip out here.
Enjoy.


Roadtrip. from Ellie Carolus on Vimeo.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Things running through my head at 11 pm the night before I move





This will totally all fit into my car tomorrow.
I forgot how much work it is to actually pack up all your stuff.
I wish someone would make me a sandwich.
I thought I got rid of everything unnecessary at the garage sale 4 months ago. How do I still have this much junk?
I just realized that the song "Secret Asian Man" is actually called "Secret Agent Man". This changes everything.
A house elf would be really useful in my life. Accio, Dobby!
Actually, so would a Mary Poppins-style magic carpetbag. 
I seriously need to stop drinking iced tea in the afternoon. Caffeine = Problems.
Vacuuming out the car is actually quite soothing. I sound like my father.
WHY DOES THE TRUNK STILL SMELL LIKE SAUSAGE AND ONIONS?!?
I just realized I packed all my clothes and completely forgot to leave something out to wear tomorrow. Guess I'm driving to NY in my jim jams. 
This will totally not all fit into my car tomorrow.
Enough, I'm going to bed.



 

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