Respect!

[felixe the dog]

Bloody kids!!
When I was young, at home you got the wooden spoon, at school the cuts and in the kitchen a "clip around the ear"
Bring back the cane!!

[kokopuffs]

People are generating way more kids than they can raise properly. Note the growing prison population.

[foodpump]

Huh! Well, when I was a young apprentice, we got fed boiled gravel, and had to live under the ditch. Mind you we only slept there for 4 hours, the rest of the time we had to work....

[felixe the dog]

I bet they made you work in the ditch!!

[Jim]

As a teacher, I have purposely remained a reader versus a poster because of my involvement with, what I am reading as "this generation." Well, I need to step up at this point. Rather than...

I haven't the time for this stuff and the younger generations really suck when it comes to respecting older people.

... let's take a look at why rather than stating (over and over and over) that there is a problem. Again, from the High School teacher perspective, I have to tell you that 99.9% of the 'problems' I see in the class stem from the home. Yes, I said it. It is OUR fault. How many parents spend more than 11 seconds working with their offspring discussing their school day, their learning, their understanding of the material presented? How many go beyond the requisite "how was your day?" and settle for the "fine" response? Do you turn off the radio in the car and really discuss issues? Do you teach your children to shake an adult's hand and introduce themselves? How about holding the door? Aren't these all respect issues? (Respect, as defined by Websters: "To hold in high regard the time or posessions of another)

My point is this... the role of teaching respect (and honesty, integrity, self-sacrifice, trustworthy, good character) is ALL of our responsibility. Do you set the expectation for your cooks in the kitchen? Do you swear and act like a raving lunatic? Well, that really sets the bar high, doesn't it? Leading by example is only the start.

Just in case you were wondering, my students will stand if you should happen to walk into our classroom. They will also not speak until you should speak to them. They will wear their ironed, spotless uniforms with pride. Did I mention that they are in a PUBLIC high school? It has nothing to do with me being a miracle-worker. It has to do with the role the parents and OTHER adults play in their lives. So, we can blame, we can point fingers or we can all take responsibility. Think about that when you curse-out somebody for driving too slowly in front of you; what kind of an example of respect are you for those around you?

[panini]

Jim,
You absolutely right. I ran this by my wife and she made a good point. She said that I was not feeling old. She expressed that I react to this type of non-respect more because we have values. She's right, and you hit it on the head. We close the bakery every day a 3 to be in the carpool lane. Have 3 solid hours of quiet family time, then dinner and homework. We fortunately do not have the school system you have ( Let's see, the Presidents home state, I think we are next to last of the worst shhools in the US). This is not a knock on the school system, our state has continually lowered the bar over the years, our teachers have become babysitters. We may have over compensated, our son is taught by Monks. LOL
pan
I'm thinking, the only time I get sideways at work is when there is a lack of
respect. Even as small as not putting the toilet lid down when finished.

[kokopuffs]

Panini:

Having taught in the Georgia public school system for only 2 1/2 semesters I felt that as I science teacher I was there to baby sit a bunch of undisciplined teenagers save for a very very few. And my hands were tied when it came to disciplinary issues and I was asked by the department chairperson at some district in south GA to pass some students even though they failed miserably. Go figure. And now I work as a correctional officer! HA! Better opportunities exist in law enforcement these days.

[Andrew563]

Respect, you have to give it to get it. Its not something just given , it is earned. I have worked for those older chefs who treat everyone under them like subhumans, and expect everyone to bow to them because they are the "chef". The respect thing is reciprocal. If you treat someone disrespectfully, expect it back.

[Blade55440]

I can agree with the fact that the younger generation (which unfortunately is mine...) has very little respect for the older/wiser/more experienced. If there's one thing I've learned and will take to the grave is that when it comes to someone more experienced: Listen, and listen well. If you meet somebody who will forget more than you're ever going to learn, don't go lookin that gift horse in the mouth.

One more tidbit before I disappear from the forums for another week or two:
"Never disregard anyone, you never know what they might end up teaching you."

[Beemerchef]

Listening is indeed the key... I remember when in Culinary School we had this elderly retired Chef/Teacher... almost 40 years ago now, he was already in his 80's!... I still remember his name, Mr Ziegler!... The School was filled with brats, 150 students from 55 countries... all rich kids... (Switzerland), I was the only one that listenened to this man, specially after Class as he was kind of slow taking off... what a source of knowledge he was! Awesome man... learned all the "things" you will never learn in a book!!!
On another note regarding respect, as I just finished a 9 months Contract with an Atlanta Downtown Restaurant, I have never in my 37 years working met two gentleman from Burkina Faso, Africa, with as much respect as they had!... Jean and Michael will remain friends for life (26 and 27, their age respectively). The Pride (capital P...), the Respect (capital R...), the Workmanship (Capital W...) were just incredible... God forbid that I spilled something and went for the mop... they would run and grab it off my hands... I had to... fight my way... to stay busy sometimes on slow days!... they would try to stay ahead of the workload... it has been till today as I will always stay in touch with them... "Yes Sir...No Sir..."
And WHY??? UPBRINGING!!!... PARENTS... VALUES... none of this TV and Internet "crap" 24/7 digging into their minds!!! And of course... not to praise myself... I treated them with outmost respect too...
It is just getting to be a thing of the past... what a shame...
Be well... Ara

[kokopuffs]

Blade55440:

Respect THEM because THEY may be your future customers as well. Oh how I long for the simplicity of the Leave It to Beaver days. <;^P

[RAS1187]

As a younger chef in the making, I show nothing but the utmost of respect to any chef I have the pleasure to work with.

On a related note, I am surprised though at how young today's generation of Chefs are though. My Exec. Chef is 29, Sous is 26, Asst. Sous is 21. This is for a Marriott hotel, very extended banquet and restaurant operation, this is no small show they are running either

I have noticed though the arrogance of the younger generation of cooks/chefs, especially those that I went to culinary school with and they thought culinary school was going to make them a Chef.