HOSPITALITY: Workers' wish

It’s Christmas morning.

Instead of your arms wrapped around your children in a warming embrace they are instead occupied with a tray of dishes.

In a moment of nostalgia you picture unwrapping presents with your loved ones but jolt back to the reality of scraping off the three quarters of food that the guest did not finish.

Melodies of Silent Night waft around in your memory of days gone, but the sound of clashing and clanging dishes awakes you to the present cacophony of frantic servers and cooks communicating to each another in the least amount time.

You manage to empty the tray and get back to your next scheduled guest.

You extend to them the service required by your employment and desired by your guest and are in turn given a monetary extension of appreciation.

The day soon drifts to sleep and the afternoon rises to the occasion.

You allow yourself a break to regather and collect, and for a moment call your family and wish them the very best.

This is what a holiday is for hospitality workers.

This Christmas, should you go out, ponder those who extend a service that you otherwise would never wish to do on a holiday.

Put yourself in their shoes. Don’t feel sympathy. These are days that can account for half their paycheck.

Please be understanding of the time they put in and be patient. Be aware they are humans prone to the same emotions as you and I. Be attentive and courteous as you would wish others be to you.

With this in mind, hopefully the holidays can be a wonderful experience both for you and those who provide you their time and energy on a day otherwise intended to be with loved ones.

These days that many of us enjoy, many others prepare to work all day.

Just as they give their time and energy, hopefully sincerely and with genuine gratitude, please extend back respect, patience and understanding.

It is the spirit of these holidays that makes it such a delight so continue to have that spirit and may it abound with others as well.

SASHA FISHER

Coeur d’Alene