Zen and the Art of Waitering

By Jonas Simon
$2.99 Rating: Not yet rated.
Published: April 17, 2010
Words: 9,447 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781458028822

Short description

A compendium of wit and wisdom; this book is written not just for waiters, but for anyone in stressful situations who feels stuck, anyone who feels forced to suffer in the present moment just so (hopefully) they can be happy some point in the future, and for anyone else looking for a window in a locked room.

Extended description

"Before enlightenment: Run food, take orders.
After enlightenment: Run food, take orders."
- Buddhist proverb, author unknown.

So speaks the wisdom of a lost treasure of Eastern thought, "Zen and the Art of Waitering." This recently rediscovered tome, long thought to be lost to the ages (and considered by some to be just a myth), speaks not just to waiters, but to the waiter in all of us (by which I mean, people who are occasionally surly, sometimes discontent, and usually drunk). Funny, compassionate, daring, and eminently useful, “…Waitering” is a guiding light cutting a swath through the darkness and chaos that is the world of professional service. Full of insight (“The first rule of service is thus: The guest cannot conceive of a world outside themselves”), practical advice (“To avoid killing one’s guests, envision them as already dead) and humor (“If a snot is placed in the guest’s pasta carbonara and the guest does not see it, is the snot truly there?”) .. (Read more) "Before enlightenment: Run food, take orders.
After enlightenment: Run food, take orders."
- Buddhist proverb, author unknown.

So speaks the wisdom of a lost treasure of Eastern thought, "Zen and the Art of Waitering." This recently rediscovered tome, long thought to be lost to the ages (and considered by some to be just a myth), speaks not just to waiters, but to the waiter in all of us (by which I mean, people who are occasionally surly, sometimes discontent, and usually drunk). Funny, compassionate, daring, and eminently useful, “…Waitering” is a guiding light cutting a swath through the darkness and chaos that is the world of professional service. Full of insight (“The first rule of service is thus: The guest cannot conceive of a world outside themselves”), practical advice (“To avoid killing one’s guests, envision them as already dead) and humor (“If a snot is placed in the guest’s pasta carbonara and the guest does not see it, is the snot truly there?”) it is a book who’s goal is to education, enlighten and entertain.

A great read for anyone who likes to eat out and would like a glimpse at what goes on behind the kitchen doors, and a must read for those in the industry themselves, “Zen and the Art of Waitering” may be specific in nature, but it’s principles of non-attachment, non-desire, letting go, and acceptance can be applied successfully to all walks of life. If you've ever felt stuck in a situation suffering the same problems again and again, if you've ever felt forced to put up with your current life just so you can (hopefully) be happy later, or if you've ever felt like you were looking for a window in a locked room, this is a book for you. Also, it’s hella-funny.
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Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages. For more information, see the Support FAQ.

Tags

humor, satire, buddhism, restaurant, waitress, service, server, zen, waiter, buddhist, waiters, servers, waitresses, restaurants, service industry

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