Kids, I'm going to tell you an incredible story, the story of how I went to my first day at work. I had such an unforgettable experience twice already and if you think yours didn't go perfectly as planned or are afraid it won't, take some popcorn, have a good laugh and rest assured that first impression is not as important as it's painted to be (still important though, don't get too relaxed).
My very first first-day-at-work was when I was working at my part time job with agency 'Off to Work', which is providing catering staff (waiters, bartenders, cashiers, hosts) for all the various venues and events. My first shift was table waiting at a fancy restaurant in National Indoor Arena on an event called 'Jesus Christ Superstar' - rock opera starring Tim Minchin, yay! (I love 'im love 'im love 'im!) ♥
All excited I have checked the time, place, directions, transport and uniform/dress code like a billion of times and, with my heart pounding louder than the cars passing by and having doubts on each turn I take, I managed to come to the place nice and early. Getting slightly lost in the confusing backstage'y part of the building wasn't a problem - when you're an off-to-worker, you recognise each other by the lovely black smart Primark trousers and then just follow to the right place. Not quite stalking - when two people go for a long romantic walk and only one of them knows about it - 'cause this one sure ain't romantic.
Once I got to the place and greeted the wrong manager I was put to work. Oh, all the excitement!: folding napkins, arranging cutlery on the tables and popping champagne bottles - what can be better? A bit before arrival of guests I was told that I won't be waiting tables but doing the reception instead. Nothing too difficult, just greeting guests with a gigantic smile on your face while balancing a tray with 12ish glasses of champagne or juice. Now people who know me have noticed I have trembling hands. I know that too, so I had a practice round - lifted a tray, walked around, put the tray back, pretended to refill the glasses - phew! - I can do this. Yes I can. However, people who know me even better know that when I'm nervous, my hands are shaking like Bart's head when Homer is strangling him. So I was standing there, just to the right from the entrance, holding the heavy tray on my left hand and putting on my super-duper-lovely-trying-to-hide-I'm-nervous smile when first guests were entering the room. Then... I'm not sure what exactly happened then but I felt my field of vision narrowing down to only the glasses on the tray which now was more vertical then horizontal. Glasses full of the properly posh and expensive champagne were sliding down in slowmo, I was trying to catch them with my right hand while tilting the tray towards myself - better on me then the guests, right? Joking. Did the tilting motion instinctively since the only track on the broadcast was Consuela's 'No, no, no' on loop. And every time louder and louder. Suddenly I got my eyesight back. Not my vocal abilities though, thus when a couple of colleagues came running to me asking if I'm alright I was only nodding. I was standing there, all drenched in v.expensive champagne - here's some consecration for you! In the mean time I bet my face was not the most client-pleasing because my manager told me to go to the kitchen and take 5mins for getting myself together. I was surprised by how comforting his tone was. I was expecting getting shouted at.
The rest of the shift was smooth (provided the lady didn't die - I'm pretty sure the waiter gave the plate with something-free meal for her husband instead of her and I didn't know how to bring this up. not funny, I know. not being so irresponsible anymore.) and even funny. From today's perspective, then it was just scary and depressing. My coworkers comforted me by telling a story how a waitress spilled red wine on a lady's white coat and saying I wasn't as bad, and mocked me saying that champagne is usually consumed as a drink rather than tonic or lotion and, when I needed extra glasses, telling me to look for them on the floor. Where I left them. Broken. Manager too, frequently inquired if I'm all good and thanked me for the smile after the shift. In the end, that's what matters - smile is the eraser and antidote to any failures.
This is just the beginning of the amazing adventures of employed Agota. Her journey is destined to be packed with non-stop action, millions of smiles, heart pounding failures and endless excitement. And as her story unfolds, we'll unlock the magic and mystery of a most wondrous place, the incredible world of Employment. Stay tuned for the next episode '8-week Taster of Dream Job' for her experiences in the summer placement from the massive-facepalm-worth first day to heartwarming last good-byes.
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