Dear Dining Hallers | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Dear Dining Hallers

At your service! (With some conditions)

24
Dear Dining Hallers
Odyssey

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night snack. Students are always hungry, and at one time or another, they're able to pull themselves out of the cave of their dorm to make the trek for food. They swipe and punch and roundhouse kick (or however the youngsters are doing it nowadays) into dining halls to sit down with their glorious plates of nourishment. They devour it all, or not, and then send the dishes back on a conveyor belt where they will all become magically clean again in about an hour. It wasn't before I got into working in a buffet-style dining hall that I realized just how much labor and teamwork was involved, and how oblivious some people are to all of it. I thought, what if I could create a PSA for those people, us employees are not scrubbing tomato sauce stained floors in vain?

For those students getting in working hours at school in a dining hall, mad props, this one's for you:

Dear Dining hallers,

First off, thanks for choosing this dining hall! We're more than happy to serve you. But to ensure you have the best experience possible, I request a couple of things:

-Please don't laugh at my uniform. Or my hairnet. It's part of my job, and it's not my food that's at risk for hairs.

-Please try not to act like you were raised in a barn. Growing up, I was taught to clean up after myself. I get it, we've got staff to help clean, but that doesn't mean you can just leave your entire place setting sprawled out on the table and that turned over cup of milk dripping on the seat. I was also taught how to use the "magic words" effectively.

-I'd appreciate it greatly if you could put your phone down when you're ordering food. It'll take 2 minutes of your precious time, and then you can go back to your seat, chewing AND texting to your heart's content-- what could be better?

-Please don't whistle/snap your fingers at us. I'm sure waiters and waitresses get this at one time or another, but, from personal experience, just... don't do this. It's not respectful, and we're not dogs.

-Please realize that I'm a person too. I may have had a bad day, you may have had a bad day. But when we're face to face and I'm about to serve you some apple pie, l will smile at you. You don't have to smile back, or even say anything, but just let us be human to each other. I wont take the day's trouble out on you if you don't take yours out on me. (:

-Please (please I beg you) talk to us. Honestly, we're just here to get paid. The work is boring and the tasks are mundane, so a little bit of small talk over the serving of mashed potatoes is like a hidden treasure. Many days we are on our feet for five hours at a time, or completely cut off from civilization in the back, scrubbing dishes. We have name tags, and contrary to popular belief, we won't burn you with our laser eyes so you can feel free to look at us or even approach us with any questions so we can help you!

Bon appetit,

Your devoted dining hall employee

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

2478
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

5193
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

3223
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments