Understanding shame

What's it for?

Yesterday we looked at shame through the lens of problematic grabbing and the scent of maggoty chicken. In that version of the foolsletter I focused a fair bit on servers who love to use the term ‘grab’.

I have a special place in my heart for servers. I worked in restaurants for years. I have both loved and hated my work as a server. It didn’t matter the gig - whether I was a DJ, Banquet staff, nightclub bartender or serving fine dining, the restaurant industry was a brilliant place for a student of the human condition.

It was in the restaurant industry that the term ‘what’s it for’ became acutely important.

For example:

“Hey Andre, I need you to put a rush on that chicken sandwich.”

“What a chicken sandwich by itself - what’s it for?”

“You’re doing me a favour, I forgot it on the order and I forgot to punch it in. Can you help me out?”

Not who’s it for, but what’s it for. In the kitchen things were done to complete orders. Where does it go and what problem does the request fit? How does it…