The lad on the right, C. Riley H. is our designated dishwasher unloader…again. When Paul lowered the wage to one chip some harsh words were exchanged and Christopher went on strike. I had grown accustomed to the dishwasher being unloaded as soon as it was clean and was not really happy that Paul had mucked up employee relations. He crossed the picket line to empty the dishwasher himself.
One day, a couple weeks into this labor morass, I showed Christopher a very full and clean dishwasher. He started to lift his palm to politely refuse when I said, “This is so full it’s a two chip job.”
His eyes lit up, “That’s great! Two chips will definitely do!” And then he set to work whistling happily. After that I continued to employ him on a contract basis until he was back in the habit. Once he tried to say it was a three chip job, but I just looked at him and he backed down.
This morning I opened a cupboard and a large pyrex baking pan came flying out. I shrieked and jumped as it shattered at my feet.
“I guess I shouldn’t have placed it there.” Christopher said quietly.
I looked down at the chunks and shards of glass that had landed in two hallways, the kitchen and a bathroom and shook my head.
Guess not.
For those who are wondering, Christopher -upon striking – said, “That’s it! I’m going on strike!”
is it physically or technically possible for you to send me a copy of that picture? i love it.
I am thinking that at some point I should be reading about your kids forming a union to stand against the “management” regarding pay and whatnot!! It just makes sense that this will come to pass as they already seem to know how to strike!
captcha word is “mance” my definition is a uniquely male dance.
They certainly could, Kim. Although, from a labor/management standpoint, they’ve got a pretty good arrangement.
Tanner, Tanner, Tanner! Is it physically or technically possible for you to make a request without offending me?
Kim, the problem – as is often the case in actual business – is lack of communication between managers or rather, people sticking their beaks into situations that are working quite well (which are not to be taken for granted!) and changing things up without talking to the person directly managing the situation.
In the telling of that tale I have hurt grammar sticklers with wantonly used commas, dashes and parenthetical exclamations, which just adds to the layers of suffering of this sad episode.
I just hope SOMEONE has learned a lesson.
Sadly, effective management is not always as simple as it seems…
touchy.
Tanner…she doesn’t need to send you the photo. Just click on it, and then cut and paste it, and it’s yours.
Dan, I already sent it.