You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat their wait-staff.
I recently attended a dinner meeting for an internationally known organization which does phenomenal philanthropic work. I sat across the table from one of the evening’s speakers, a man that I had not met previously. As he was a representative of this benevolent organization, I was frankly surprised at how rudely he intreated with our waiter. He seemed mildly irritated when the waiter refilled his glass, and he never uttered a “please” or “thank you” when he made requests. Several times during the meal, he held up his finished plates or bowls to be taken away, without a word, without eye-contact. To him, the waiter didn’t exist, other than to serve him.
Observing how he interacted with our waiter made me not like this guy very much. I certainly wasn’t open to his comments later in the evening when he spoke to the audience.
I recently attended a dinner meeting for an internationally known organization which does phenomenal philanthropic work. I sat across the table from one of the evening’s speakers, a man that I had not met previously. As he was a representative of this benevolent organization, I was frankly surprised at how rudely he intreated with our waiter. He seemed mildly irritated when the waiter refilled his glass, and he never uttered a “please” or “thank you” when he made requests. Several times during the meal, he held up his finished plates or bowls to be taken away, without a word, without eye-contact. To him, the waiter didn’t exist, other than to serve him.
Observing how he interacted with our waiter made me not like this guy very much. I certainly wasn’t open to his comments later in the evening when he spoke to the audience.
Moments like this just exemplify to me how our culture, has this twisted view of individual value in society. Donald Miller calls this "Lifeboat Theory" -- the idea that I am more valuable to society than you are, therefore, if we, along with others, are stranded in a lifeboat at sea together, and there are not enough provisions for everyone, you are going over the side before me (from Donald's great book, "Searching for God Knows What"). It's difficult not to think in these terms sometimes -- comparing our worth to others, sizing ourselves up, boosting our own egos. It's unfortunate though, and sad when we begin to define ourselves, or assign our own worth, by demeaning others. Hence, the rude behavior, or simple lack of acknowledgement towards those who cook or serve our food, make our beds and clean our motel rooms.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 that "inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (KJV)." Now, I'm not trying to twist the context of what He was talking about -- Jesus was talking about the poor, naked, starving, and imprisoned, not the hierarchy of worth among great and small people. But is there really that great a difference? If we want to debunk the "Lifeboat Theory", is there any difference to God between the homeless beggar and the waitress at IHOP? Between an imprisoned felon and The Donald? Between our self and the guy next door?
Does God love one over the other?
Should we?
1 comment:
I have always said that everyone should have to work in the food industry some time in their lives. It would really change how people look at each other.
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