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Off topic rant

1K views 16 replies 10 participants last post by  panini 
#1 ·
Is it a prerequisite to have some form of alcohol or drug problem??

Or , this generation coming in the business that want top dollar, but no one shows up for work, does nothing when they do and look at you like you have 3 heads when you tell them that pastry creme is not a solid

Blowing steam here... But wondering if it's just around here or if others are having to settle for mediocrity.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Maybe it is a prerequisite. I know i got out of the business because I didn't fit in very well. Mo alcohol or drug addiction, no smoking of any kind, little drinking ( hardly even enough to have any real fun, no tattoos, no loose morals and financially responsible. I simply didn't fit in very good.
 
#5 ·
I took a break for awhile as I was emotionally and physically exhausted... I definitely don't fit in with the lifestyle either and I most certainly don't have the patience for the something for nothing group
I'm for a generation that works hard and takes pride in their work
 
#7 ·
"the mediocrity is everywhere"

I know many young people who are responsible, show up for work, and follow directions.  I am not trying to stir up things here but I know some real fine kids under 35.  I know a least two chefs who think all the young people they employ are mediocre but they mediocre in training  new employees. Have patience we all had to learn.  I had a policy "if you don't show up you just quit."
 
#9 ·
If you supply a work visa I will come and be the gem you need. I cook, I clean. I can do laundry, take care of kids and I can wash your car too. You don't have the heart to fire someone? I'll do it for you (Btw, they're gone).

I'm young, not really enticed by the drugs and the booze. I've met some other young cooks who were, and a lot that weren't. I'm not saying I don't drink though. I spend many Friday nights with my co-workers mingling at the bar after work. But I don't think that's the same booze problem you were talking about.

I believe you should have a little more patience. Our generation is pretty shit, no lie. But there are a lot of us with the will to learn and a passion for chocolate that drives us forward. You will get your gem soon, or even sooner if you supply that work visa. Think about it.
 
#10 ·
I had patience a long time ago, but gave it up when they're all so much smarter or texting on their cell phones. No call/no show's (yes it would be great to show them the door, but there's no bodies out there that can step in)

Sorry, I'm just really worked up about the booze and/or drugs lately. It's rampant and unfortunately, a chef friend of mine called last week with the same issues.
 
#11 ·
This just may be in my area.

I'm finding most all Millennials I make contact with are really not into drugs and drinking.

I'm old and they have grown up in a technical environment. Communication is getting better for me. Early on, I got the blank stares.

  I found myself profiling them. I misconstrued their personalities as somewhat arrogant, condescending, as if they felt superior to me. I was wrong though.

I was feeling like that when I would focus and try to communicate with them during the day. It seemed like they did not give a sh-t about anything. I found the best time to communicate

is to text them around bedtime. Most all the kids are really grounded. They knew where in life they wanted to be in 10-15 years. They were more interested in the workings of the business

than I would have ever guessed. If I suggested thing about their work, they would be doing it the next day. But still the blank stares.

  BUT, adhering to a schedule seems to be non existent or never addressed with them. It takes an act of congress to get the cell phones in pockets. There is no in between, I just had to prohibit them.

Seem to be oblivious to local and world current events.

  I have faith in the new generation. Unfortunately, the previous generation has pretty well screwed up everything in the country. They have their work cut out for them.
 
#12 ·
I dunno, I just dunno.....

I'm a social recluse, working alone in the kitchen for the last 10 years.  Seen a lot of servers come and go though, some were great, some couldn't leave thier phones alone for 10 minutes, some partied hard but could work hard too. Most could handle the pos system easily but many could not do basic sums in their head.

One thing that does disturb me is that most under-19's don't think its anything to be concerned about  to blaze up in their room at 10:30 on a school night with nothing particularily stressful happening the next day.  That disturbs me...
 
#13 ·
@foodpump ,

I'm an old fart. So I'm going to assume blaze up means smoking pot.

I just returned home after a visit with the kid out in Mountain View California, and a visit to Oregon where I'm purchasing a friends share of a vineyard there. He has just closed on a villa

in Panama and is retiring there, at 57 nice. I plan to take him up on his invite. He and his friend have a 4 home compound on 23 acres just for the two families. His home sale in Calif. more than covered the cost of his compound. He has 18 acres of bananas, and produces I forget how many tons? His crop is already bought for the next 10 years whether he makes his minimum or not.

That income is greater than his income in the states as a doctor.

Anyway, I had a few eye opening experiences while there. Pot seems to be part of everyday life. I understand just about anyone with a small pain can get a medical card for pot and can have up to 8 ounces of dried or ? how many live plants. Even minors under 18 can get a card if they are on their own and working. It sounds regulated but I think the State is happy for the fee required to attain a card.

Had dinner with many folks in the tech. industry and it was second nature to smoke after dinner. Well, most I met don't smoke, to messy and smelly, they vaporize it. Everyone has their own little machine. Also guest machines. I refrained while in Calif. but when I got to Oregon, oh my! they have recreational use there.

Before dinner at the vineyard one night, the chef asked me if I wanted a few gummy bears before dinner. I took a small handfull. He said, oh, BTW those are 90's. I didn't have a clue. I ate a few.

We had quite a wine tasting before dinner. As we were eating I started to feel really good. I figured it must be the wine. For the next 6 hours I remained focussed chatting about the details of the vineyard but felt quite euphoric the whole time. As we rapped up dinner and prepared to relax outside for dessert, the chef asked me if I enjoyed the gummy bears. I said yea. He says he has plenty back in the kitchen. Just ask the cooks for them. Tell them the 90's. I questioned this 90's thing. He laughed and asked me where I was from. I told him. He told me those bears were loaded. ? pot, THC. I have to tell you, before bed I breezed by the kitchen and grabbed a baggie full.

I spent the next day with one of the vineyard supervisors driving around for hours visiting some really nice sites. I nibbled on some gummy bears. He spoke very little english, but we chatted and understood each other very well with my broken Spanglish and some a la minute made up sign language.

When I got home, my wife asked how things went. I just smiled and told her I think it will be our best investment and that I might build a retirement place on the vineyard for us./img/vbsmilies/smilies/lol.gif
 
#15 ·
Got two shops on my street. The whole city (Vancouver)has more pot shops than Tim Horton's ( a coffee and donut chain). The kicker is that pot is still illegal, and that all of these stores are uperating without business licences.
 
#17 ·
As an employer, I think it's paramount to protect of all the associates.

That issue starts right at the beginning. We also make arrangements to witness the signing of application.

Not sure, but the laws for testing may vary from State to State.

XXXX Bakery intends to help provide a safe and drug-free work environment for our clients and our employees. With this goal in mind, we are establishing the following policy for existing and future employees of XXXX Bakery.

The Company explicitly prohibits:

  • The use, possession, solicitation for, or sale of narcotics or other illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescription medication without a prescription on Company or customer premises or while performing an assignment.

  • Being impaired or under the influence of legal or illegal drugs or alcohol away from the Company or customer premises, if such impairment or influence adversely affects the employee's work performance, the safety of the employee or of others, or puts at risk the Company's reputation.

  • Possession, use, solicitation for, or sale of legal or illegal drugs or alcohol away from the Company or customer premises, if such activity or involvement adversely affects the employee's work performance, the safety of the employee or of others, or puts at risk the Company's reputation.

  • The presence of any detectable amount of prohibited substances in the employee's system while at work, while on the premises of the company or its customers, or while on company business. "Prohibited substances" include illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescription drugs not taken in accordance with a prescription given to the employee.
The Company will conduct drug and/or alcohol testing under any of the following circumstances:

  • RANDOM TESTING: Employees may be selected at random for drug and/or alcohol testing at any interval determined by the Company.

  • FOR-CAUSE TESTING: The Company may ask an employee to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test at any time it feels that the employee may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including, but not limited to, the following circumstances: evidence of drugs or alcohol on or about the employee's person or in the employee's vicinity, unusual conduct on the employee's part that suggests impairment or influence of drugs or alcohol, negative performance patterns, or excessive and unexplained absenteeism or tardiness.

  • POST-ACCIDENT TESTING: Any employee involved in an on-the-job accident or injury under circumstances that suggest possible use or influence of drugs or alcohol in the accident or injury event may be asked to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test. "Involved in an on-the-job accident or injury" means not only the one who was or could have been injured, but also any employee who potentially contributed to the accident or injury event in any way.
If an employee is tested for drugs or alcohol outside of the employment context and the results indicate a violation of this policy, or if an employee refuses a request to submit to testing under this policy, the employee may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and possibly including discharge from employment. In such a case, the employee will be given an opportunity to explain the circumstances prior to any final employment action becoming effective.
 
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