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We're Booked
November 09, 2007

We're all about constructive criticism. While we would like to think that we know what we are doing and that we are good at it, we learn something new every day. If we didn't, well... we would be screwed.

So if we have critiques after a Trick we try to wade through the petty complaints and pick up on the stuff that really matters.

Unless it's not our fault.

Last year at this time we Tricked a small office holiday party, and in dealing with The Office Manager we grew to pity those who worked with her. For her. And those she worked for. Her pickiness was on a level on par with indecisiveness, and her endless demands - and mind changing of those demands - was exhausting. But we chalked it up to experience and remained professional and willing - even though I wanted to lock her in a filing cabinet marked "B". (Rimes with itch...)

Her ideas for service were confusing, and out of sync with how this particular meal should have been served. We tried to explain that to her, but she was not budging on what she wanted. So - we gave in. We were there to make the party as she envisioned it, which is exactly what we did.

And if I do say so myself - food was fabulous. Many, many raves. People were cramped, and service was awkward - which we knew would happen - but no one complained. Everyone had a wonderful time.

Except for The Office Manager.

"The food was beyond wonderful. Everyone was thrilled. But you really failed as the professional here. You knew it would be awkward, and you should have insisted we do it the way it would have worked best and not let me get my way."

I honestly did not even know how to respond to that. What was I going to say? "Why yes. You're right we were right. And we were wrong for not forcing you to see we were right."

We chalked it up to experience, not wanting to dwell on it. Ok - that's not true. I did want to dwell. I am a bitter pill that way, preferring at times to fester the bitterness to the point of relying on a cocktail or two to help me heal.

So really, it's not so much the bitterness I enjoy, it's the reward. There is a method to my madness. (I should say methods, plural. I have multiple madness-es I am working on...)


Anyway.


So we got a voicemail from The Office Manager wanting to book their party again. And she was kind enough to help us remember the note we put on her file which read, 'Not ever again. Ever. Forever until the end of time.' And she did that by saying, "Hi! It's The Office Manager. I am calling to book our party and to remind you of the debacle last year and hope this year you are prepared to set things right and not let me get my way. I just don't want to suffer another fiasco like that."


With all that charm I really think she should be writing Hallmark Cards.

We are prepared, indeed.

We are booked.

Until the end of time.

Posted by Foodwhore at November 9, 2007 12:04 AM

oh.no.please.

when i read about people like "the office manager", i can´t stay passive-aggressive.
would you please send me her address and lend me your heaviest cast-iron pan?

Posted by: frau mo at November 9, 2007 04:18 AM

There are definitely clients that need to be fired,,,and she is one. Too bad for the other people in her office.

Posted by: sue.g at November 9, 2007 06:14 AM

Revenge is oh soo sweet... would have love to see her face as she realized how screwed she is and has to now scramble to find a replacement....

Posted by: Monica at November 9, 2007 06:52 AM

Bravo!

Please let us know her response when you inform her you are booked on "x" and "x" and oh, geez... "x" isn't available either!

Posted by: LisaInCT at November 9, 2007 12:15 PM

I did a gig (reception for 20 followed by dinner for four) last Sunday that couldn't have gone better. The kitchen was almost perfect, the client trusted me on the menu with only a few requests that I could easily adapt (and the one that I couldn't she was Ok with), and once there I was treated like a celebrity and the host kept my wine glass filled. They got 4 gold stars. They also got two perfect parties back to back.

Posted by: kevin at November 9, 2007 12:41 PM

So let me get this straight: it's YOUR job to stop HER from making unreasonable demands and screwing up the event? Yeah, riiiiiight. I pity her co-workers and I pity the company she works for. Seriously, what planet do these people come from and when is the mothership coming to take them back?

Posted by: RLR at November 9, 2007 03:01 PM

People like that woman are a specific breed of difficult. I have run into her doppleganger.

I'm a designer. I once worked with a particularly difficult salesperson who always insisted I do things her way. My input was not wanted. One day she gets a call from a client who is furious with the mistakes made in their most recent ad (the saleswoman had provided the wrong text and then approved that incorrect text).

I hear her hollering from down the hallway as she approaches my office. Her problem? "Why didn't you catch my mistake? You should have been double checking my work!"

I'm with RLR, the mothership needs to come and get these people.

Posted by: Marisa at November 12, 2007 09:08 AM

Posted by: Aagje at November 12, 2007 09:08 AM

Oh dear. I commented (having had similar crazy clients who inevitably want my services again after abusing me and paying late), but my comment seems to have gone the way of the weird and vaguely obscene wordstring comments that have also been removed. Hope it wasn't anything I said.

Posted by: Marsha at November 12, 2007 01:37 PM

Posted by: Chuck at November 12, 2007 03:11 PM

Posted by: Logan at November 13, 2007 04:36 AM

I am sure you made the right decision. It must be gratifying that you can pick and choose who you work with; you only have to suffer fools once and be done with them.

Posted by: Margarita at November 14, 2007 05:04 PM

Fascinating site and well worth the visit.

Posted by: Boyce659 at November 15, 2007 07:22 AM

Posted by: Olivia241 at November 18, 2007 02:20 PM
 
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