Amateurism in a professional environment

I had my training at Parkroyal KL, a small lobby lounge which had a cliché calling, - probably as overrated as Friendster Cafe - Klix Lounge. Life is good working as a trainee at a hotel in KL. Sure we get the occasional lectures on how lucky we are that our parents didn't ditch us and tell us to go find a job instead of paying for our 30,000RM diploma in 'cooking', as per what most people prefer to call it.

There are times which are all about speed, and then there are times when it's all about a personal touch to the service one may offer to guests. Trust me, all you get are either snobbish local businessmen or broke and old foreign tourists there. I trust a blessing in disguise incident, a Brit from Aussie by the name of Ean whom stopped by the country in search of line cooks for welfare camps and large scale catering institutions in dire need of young and passionate chefs or wannabes to be the best example.

"Take care of him, he'll tip you good." says Joe, the manager at Klix.

"Really sir?" I ask in return.

"Give it a go." followed by his distinct evil snicker which any staff from the hotel could identify as a hint to something no good.

Joe had always been the evil one. He's so evil he's smart. He'd make staff he disliked go, no matter how hard headed they are. Take Kid for instance, the senior bartender at Klix, or should I say ex-bartender. Let's just say Kid knows bartending like a cabbie knows roads better than the back of his hand. Well in the hospitality line, it's safe to say that the better people get, the more wordy they become, and that was simply the case with Kid. Any dissatisfaction and he'd voice it out to anyone just like the 40 year old divorcee he is. Kid and Joe don't get along too well, despite how their names ring when said together in a sentence. All Joe had to do was belittle him, called him names in front of guests (yes, he has that thick of a face) and rambled about him to Suresh, the Exec F&B Manager which is some 5"2 guy who gets pushed around like a punching bag and he's done. Kid left after his last arguement with Joe when I had already shifted departments. Claims he couldn't take his cruelty and sarcasm. Yeah, you get things like this in hotels all year long no matter what's the season.

Anyways, back to Ean.

This very much indeed full man came to the lounge for the first time around afternoon, he came alone in his striped Polo, beige slacks and a baseball cap reading nothing but his first name on it in a font only suitable for a Halloween poster. Took in some air, recited my biggest lines and the promotions, and off I go to his table which was right by the window.

Me : Good afternoon sir! (I said excitedly but not loudly, he was the only guest there afterall) How are you today?

Ean : Oh I'm excellent mate, and you young man?

Me : Fine sir, very much. What can I get you to drink? We have Happy Hour specials right about now.

Ean : Happy Hours is good. Tell me more.

Me : Well we have two beers for the price of one, same thing for house wines and liquors too, but I'd recommend the former looking at the weather. (Said it while looking out the window in an attempt to hide the anxiousness and sweat from passing such a long line to the guy)

Ean : I see. Do you think I can get some good Brandy?

Me : Well actually no, (reading his slowly frowning face) but I'm sure a shot or two wouldn't hurt the hotel. Any desserts?

Ean : Lovely mate, I'll pass on the desserts for now.

Me : Sure sir. I'll be right back.

I head back to the bar, look through the alcohol inventory hoping to find cheap Brandy in the list. Scrolling and scrolling while making sure Joe was busy in the store sorting what ever he was sorting out, I finally found something familiar. Triple 99 Brandy, probably distilled in a modified stock pot using cheap wine in a local "distillery".

Judging from it's position on the shelves, I guess it's not the most favoured Brandy of the other two which cost a kidney per shot. But I gave it to him anyways discreetly behind the manager's consent. I'm starting to feel bad right about now, but I reviewed the bottle cost and I assumed the 6 bucks per bottle wouldn't make too much of a difference considering he'd come back if service was good.

Still wanting to make sure I nail a good tip from the guy, I return after he's done with his first glass wanting to offer him another one in conjunction with the Happy Hour promotion.

Me : Excuse me sir, would you like your second helping now or a little later?

Ean : You know what, I think I'll just have a Tiger draught for the second, is that okay.. (searching my name tag with his eyes winched together) Andy?"

Assuming I wouldn't have to sneak another shot behind Joe, I took the opportunity.

Me : Certainly sir! and between you and me, you just made my life a whole lot easier.

He giggles and hints a thank you in the form of a hand shake. His firm and brittle gesture of courteousness was killing my right hand. I rush back to the bar to see Roy stepping in. Roy's the junior bartender so to speak, a cocky 30 year old with 12 years of experience behind him. What's the problem? He's new. I ask for the beer from him since he prefers to stay in the bar rather than on the floor due to his short tolerance of the English language.

Even after he asked who's Brandy snifter is the one I just carried in, I acted as if I didn't hear him in a desperate act to hide my sin. If Kid was there, he'd point a knife to me while asking, luckily Roy's cool with it. He's a classic pot, kettle, black case so he knows where he stands.

Eventually Ean calls for a server, I assumed he wanted his bill.

Me : Your check sir?

Ean : Naw, actually I was just wondering where are you from

Me : Uhh, I'm from here sir, Kuala Lumpur.

Ean : *Giggles* silly man, of course KL, I mean you're a college trainee right? Your manager told me.

Me : Oh indeed sir, Taylor's College. It's a local hospitality school.

Ean : Interesting.. your English is very good by the way, keep it up.

Me : Thank you sir.

Having nothing else to say, I walk away. On my way out to lunch Joe stops me, already knowing I'm running late for a lunch date. He claims that Ean wants to talk to me some more. Truth be told I was more interested in the lunch date than talking to a stranger, but the potential with this guy was high since the ball was already rolling so I asked for a further 10 minutes delay for my date.

Me : Everything alright sir?

Ean : Excellent. I like it here a lot! I'm actually looking for a couple of young chaps like you to help me out.

Me : Oh really sir, what could we help you out with?

Ean : I'm from a small place in Aussie called Perth. (He hands out his card)

Me : (After inspecting his card) Fascinating, a catering business sir?

Ean : No, actually we're sort of like a school. We're looking for young chefs to help cook at catering businesses. I'd love it if you could try it out, all you have to do is pay for your own flight. Bring some friends along if you'd like.

Me : *stunned* Wow, that sure is a lot to digest sir. I'm not sure if I could, I do like it here. What about I ask around for you?

Ean : Come on now man, how old are you, twenty?

Me : Eighteen sir.

Ean : Even better! You're eighteen and have many more years to come, you should take this chance to go out and see the sun, you know what I'm saying?

Me : Certainly sir, certainly. But then again it isn't a walk to the park, I really must think about it and consult the old folks.

Knowing  I won't be going one way or another, I just decided to humor him with some false hope anyway.

Ean : Of course of course. You have my card, give me a call if you're good to go. I have a student from Malaysia, he's actually here now with me, visiting his family.

Me : I see, perhaps I'll meet him later after my lunch break, yeah?

Ean : Who knows, you may. *Winks strangely to me* Nice meeting you Andy.

Me : You too sir, have a good day.

... to be continued ...

Comments

[Izuan]

the guy seems so strange.. i guess he won't take "no" for an answer so it is better to give him false hope haha.

[the andy]

he's not strange, just "different".. you'll get what I mean :P