The restaurant manager was upset that day and, without cause, threw out a woman he didn’t know from the establishment. The manager was shocked to learn who this woman was the following day.
The restaurant manager was furious with his crew that night, but not because they were doing poorly; rather, it was because the restaurant was packed and he erroneously blamed the personnel for the high workload.
When an older woman approached at the door and quietly requested if she might take a little shelter from the rain before leaving the restaurant, he didn’t even listen to her until the end.
She had no place there, he interrupted abruptly, saying that the guests might “misinterpret” her presence. The woman merely gave an uneasy smile and reiterated that, in order to temporarily stop the rain, she would be prepared to order at least a cup of tea. But he gestured angrily for her to go out.
Everything was upside down the following day. The exhausted manager walked into the dining room after a restless night and froze when he saw the same woman and the restaurant owner seated at a table in the corner.
They laughed like longtime coworkers and talked openly like old friends. The owner asked the confused manager over after noticing him.
The manager’s eyes flickered with apprehension; he knew the discussion would be serious.
However, he could never have predicted the shock of what the restaurant owner said to him afterwards.
The owner only gave him a close look as the manager attempted to defend his actions by stating that they were in the best interests of the patrons and the restaurant.
Then he remarked, calmly but firmly, “This woman is not a visitor.
I discuss the most significant decisions with Linda, a longtime partner of our business. She was watching your response today.
The manager was devastated because his behaviors were being closely watched and his harshness was seen as an indication of unprofessionalism rather than just rudeness. The proprietor went on:
“You don’t realize how crucial it is to treat everyone who enters this restaurant with courtesy and respect.
Your job is to welcome people, not to push them away, even if you are busy.
Linda grinned, as if validating the owner’s comments. The manager had a mixture of relief and embarrassment because the hardest penalty was still to come, but the lesson was invaluable.
It seemed to him that the restaurant was a totally different place once he left the office.
He came to the realization that occasionally a single act of negligence might alter not only the opinions of the visitors but also one’s own destiny.
He now believes that patience and respect are not only guidelines but also the foundation of trust and a solid reputation every time he opens the door.
