God Bless The Military

On November 11, 1918, WWI was officially over. There was nothing left but to wait and celebrate the victory over Germany. But there would be no early celebration. Although Allied leaders knew WWI would end at 11:00 a.m, they decided to needlessly kill more German soldiers up until the final minutes of the war. Allied leaders forced thousands of troops to assault the already defeated German army. With this final assault, an additional 11,000 Allied soldiers were killed by German forces.

The ego driven Allied commanders considered it a final opportunity to receive glory and promotions. And this bloody day would pave the way to Veteran’s Day as we know it today. In 1919, Veteran’s day was originally celebrated as Armistice Day. After sacrifices made by American soldiers in WWII and Korea, President Eisenhower signed a bill in 1954 to declare November 11 as Veteran’s Day. November the 11th was designated for Veteran’s Day because it represents the anniversary of the Armistice signing that ended World War I. The armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918.

Veterans Day is a national holiday that is celebrated with parades and speeches dedicated to living military personnel (former and currently serving). It provides an opportunity for all Americans to thank living veterans for their military service. Many Americans mistakenly think that Veteran’s Day is a day to remember those killed or wounded in combat. In reality, Memorial Day is designated to remember military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today, we honor over 20 million Americans who have served their country.

For younger Americans, Veterans Day provides an opportunity to meet older veterans and discuss their experiences. Sadly, we are losing our Korean and WWII veterans to death. And once they are gone, we will no longer be able to access their wisdom. This Veterans Day finds our soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations throughout the world. It is important to remember that we have modern-day warriors who are ready to die so that we can live in a free world with our families.

In Washington DC, President Obama helped place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Americans across the nation are waving their flags, wearing their medals and uniforms and celebrating their freedom. Since 1919, Americans continue to take this special day and use it to thank and honor all those who have honorably served in the U.S. military.

William Greene
http://www.Socialhearts.com

Food Servers Are Only Human

To make a few extra dollars, I recently took a part-time position at a local restaurant. Although I am an experienced waiter, I decided to be a host and avoid customer verbal abuse. Although the work isn’t bad, it’s the customers who often make the work experience unpleasant. Last Friday, there was an incident that made me realize that I made the right decision to be a host. After a co-worker delivered an overcooked steak, a customer became irate and yelled at her. After the incident, I heard my co-worker share this story with other co-workers. One of them said, "I think customers forget that we are human."

After I heard this numbing comment, I thought about what she said. And yes, it's true. Customers, who dine out often treat servers as if they are either second class citizens or slaves. There was also another incident when another co-worker sat a 300 pound woman in a booth. Unfortunately, the woman was so obese she couldn’t fit into the booth. She became angry and demanded to speak to a manager. The customer claimed my co-worker intentionally put her in a booth to humiliate her.

The explanation was simple. When you offer an obese person a table, you are assuming they are too overweight to sit in a booth. To avoid embarrassing the woman, my co-worker didn’t offer the woman a table. Regardless, your damned if you do, damned if you don't. There's just no pleasing some customers.

In this blog, I would like to take a few moments to enlighten people about servers with some facts. Yes, it's true, servers are human and they work hard for their tips. They tolerate constant verbal abuse and attitudes from snooty people. Like everyone else, servers have families to support and many of them are college students trying to survive.

Servers also have feelings and become upset when you degrade them. If your food isn't prepared right, you shouldn’t become angry with the server. Besides, the server didn't cook your food and they want you to enjoy your meal so that you will leave them a tip. If there is a problem, just ask your server to fix the problem.

Servers earn less than minimum wage and are required to share their tips with bartenders, food runners, and busboys. I have heard people say, "Well, they should find a better job." And this statement shows total ignorance for the profession. Most college students work in restaurants because they are one of the few employers who offer flexible scheduling. And if you’re a parent with children, this flexibility allows you to work opposite of your partner so that you can avoid daycare expenses.

Also, have you tried finding a job in this economy? If not, I will tell you that most jobs aren't flexible. They give you a schedule and expect you to work it. They don't care about your school schedule or your children. So when I hear someone say, "They should just get another job, it only proves their ignorance.

So the next time you dine at a restaurant, try to remember that your server is human. Like you, they also make mistakes and take pride in what they do. If they provide you with good service, leave a decent tip (20%), thank them, and shut the Hell up.

William Greene

http://www.SocialHearts.com

After The Honeymoon

From the wedding to the honeymoon, relationships almost seem magical. But after the honeymoon, life will always attempt to spoil the party. So if you want your marriage to last, you will need to work to make it happen because it won’t last without a nudge. A loving relationship can become a great experience when you commit to the right person. And to remain great, a relationship will need the right mixture of passion, love, and excitement. Flirting, romance, and passion are effective in maintaining a successful marriage. You will also need to adjust to meet your partner’s needs as the years pass.

In some relationships, couples drift apart and allow the romance to die. After years of marriage, some couples will lose the joy in their marriage and just co-exist. And that’s why couples need to be radical and evolve in their marriage. Sometimes couples need to remind each other that they are both still alive. Otherwise, the marriage becomes boring and forgettable. To bring it back, both partners need to work on the relationship together to save it.

And if you can’t fix it or don’t know how, a marriage or relationship counselor may be necessary. A stressful relationship can lead to separation and divorce. And if your relationship is a real disaster, it can still be saved if couples change their attitudes about marriage. Of course, the fix won’t be simple because most bad relationships sour over a lengthy period of time. But then some relationships are just toxic and should end because they cause health problems and psychological damage.

Additionally, when it comes to damaged relationships—infidelity is one of the top five reasons for divorce. Infidelity is when a partner is unfaithful to another partner. Some spouses will accept that their spouse cheated and be unable to forgive because they fear it happening again. And when there is no trust, the marriage is over. Unfortunately, many marriages don’t survive an affair because it’s easier to leave a long-term marriage than trying to forgive a cheating partner.

Spouses victimized by an affair often suffer from anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, humiliation and guilt. Whether you decide to stay or find romance elsewhere, you will need to handle your emotional pain before your life can move on.

For couples to save their marriage after an affair, counseling is suggested for both partners. Many couples remain together and will survive an affair. Some even claim it made their relationships stronger. Although it’s not easy to forgive a cheater, there can still be a future for your relationship and the party can continue.

William Greene

http://www.SocialHearts.com

Wages for Future Greatness

Earlier this week, I listened to a major sports radio program discuss several NFL topics. As mentioned in previous posts, I am a die-hard NFL fan and have followed the sport since the late 70s. The radio conversation revolved around a former high draft collegiate football player. During his rookie year, he held out for money and missed training camp. He boldly refused to step onto the field until his future employer added more numbers to his paycheck.

This player has now appeared in several games and has been called a bust, which is someone who doesn’t live up to their hype. The radio hosts said this young man seems unable to handle the rigors of playing in the NFL. I am not criticizing the player’s owner for giving into this young man’s demands because it’s standard. It’s a player’s only recourse to get more money from an owner. But, I do want to address a questionable NFL business practice. So I ask, “If you pay a 20 something year old kid millions before he has ever done anything, what motivates him to work hard?”

In professional sports, athletes drafted from college are paid millions for potential greatness. Many younger players receive more than older proven veteran players. Sure NFL contracts aren’t guaranteed, but signing bonuses are. I understand that football is a violent sport and players get hurt. But it’s a risk they assume before putting on shoulder pads.

Regarding this particular hold out; since receiving his ransom, his career has become dismal. He completes less than half of his passes, overthrows his receivers and looks more like the Pillsbury dough boy than an NFL quarterback. But then his bank statement doesn’t require greatness. If he loses his job, he still keeps his millions. Let’s consider the average working American. We don’t get paid anything in advance. We are only paid for what we do and not for what we might do next year.

With a pay-for-performance arrangement, our motivation to work hard is so that we remain employed. And if your employer paid your salary in advance, you wouldn’t be motivated to work as hard, if at all.

Human nature says people must be motivated to do anything in life. For example, if you want a new car, you may be motivated to work harder and earn a raise so you can buy your new ride. If you want to maintain a paycheck, you will be motivated to follow your employer’s policies. Perhaps the NFL should consider basing player salaries on a pay-for-performance basis. I’m willing to bet these young men would be more motivated to play harder.

William Greene
http://www.Socialhearts.com

Quality of Life and Your Career

Recently, my employer decided to tighten their belt by laying off over 300 co-workers. One of the casualties was a co-worker who started her career with me nearly 11 years ago. She told me it was a relief to get laid off because she no longer had to sit around and wait for HR to call her number.

While we were co-workers, she always dreamed about becoming a school teacher or an RN. Until she got laid off, she was too afraid to pursue either profession.

After her position was terminated, she enrolled in nursing school. The last time she contacted me, she didn’t think the nursing profession would be for her. She is now considering enrollment in a certification program to become a 3rd grade teacher. I told her to do something she would enjoy. Although she seems unsure of herself, she is at least willing to go out and attempt to do something she enjoys.

Here’s how I see it, life is short and we aren’t guaranteed anything in this life. While here, why be miserable? For example, Cindy, another co-worker who received her pink slip is an attorney. She graduated from law school and passed the Ohio Bar Exam. She must have gotten tired of constantly being asked why she stopped practicing law. Her response was always simple, “because it doesn’t make me happy.”

Cindy's father and siblings all graduated from law school. She attended because it was expected. After passing the Bar Exam, she worked for a law firm and put in grueling 60-80 hour work weeks. She didn’t have a social life or time for friends and family. After a few years of existing, she decided to no longer trade in her quality of life for money.

Have you ever wondered why someone would want to be a roofer or wash dishes for a living? Believe it or not, some people enjoy this kind of work. They may not want a corporate job and be responsible for a billion dollar corporation like Microsoft or sell cars because they don’t want to be a salesperson that relies on commissions.

Not everyone is motivated by money or power; I know many people who don’t earn huge salaries but enjoy every moment of their lives. If you are doing something you hate for a living, perhaps you could look for another job or consider going back to school. Since you were only given one life to live, why not enjoy it?

William Greene
http://www.Socialhearts.com

In Walmart We Trust

Yesterday, I received a funny email from a co-worker titled, “The People of Walmart.” It was a collection of the worst looking misfits to ever walk the planet. And they all could be found at your local Walmart. For example, you may see a three-eyed shopper covered in tattoos showcasing a Green Mohawk. If you have ever shopped at Walmart, you can probably relate. Like certain neighborhoods in New York, you almost feel like you left America— if not the planet.

After reviewing this hilarious email, I figured their must be a source to the madness. So I typed in http://www.peopleofwalmart.com and hit the mother load of future Jerry Springer guests.

If anyone is having a bad day or a terrible life, you must visit this website. It will either make you thankful to be alive or make you want to end your life. Walmart shoppers from around America have united to submit their Walmart photographs to this website. It’s ironic that Walmart shoppers are laughing at the expense of other Walmart shoppers. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

This website could be the start of a new reality TV program. Imagine a program about Walmart employees and customers. If you entered Walmart with a camera, you would have an entire dysfunctional gene pool at your disposal. You could interview the worst misfits and ask personal questions. For example, you could ask if their parent’s had any children that lived or about their favorite brand of toothpaste—that is, if they have any teeth in the first place.

So if you’re perusing the sporting goods aisle wearing a tee shirt that says, “I’m with Stupid,” and the arrow on the shirt is pointing up—you deserve to be on a reality program. Who knows, maybe someone will discover you and give you a reality show—stranger things have happened. Otherwise you wouldn’t know that the Kardashians are celebrities. They could call the program “Planet Walmart.”

After interviewing customers, you could then interview employees. Here is what often happens when I shop at Walmart. I put my merchandise on the counter, the worker scans my merchandise, I run my credit card through the machine, the clerk gives me my total, and hands me a pen. The entire process is completed without either of us saying a word. Of course this is fine because if I was a Walmart cashier, I probably wouldn't speak either.

I can remember one incident when a woman put her merchandise on the counter only to be ignored by the cashier. The angry customer was forced to wait for the employee to finish making dinner plans on her cell phone. She treated the customer as if she were an inconvenience. But then what do you expect from employees who get paid minimum wage?

Finally, you have to love the greeters, and I use the word love very loosely. Grunters would probably be more appropriate. Sam Walton would roll over in his grave if he knew someone grunted at me and made me get my own cart. Well, I think I found a new hobby. I will take my camera phone and add Walmart customers to the internet. In the meantime, I only hope I don’t ever find myself on the website. They could probably get me for imitating a civilized person.

Gotta run, Walmart is dropping prices as I write this.

…William Greene
http://www.Socialhearts.com

Retired

Ms. Stella Thomas is a former co-worker who retired a few years ago. After putting in 30 years of service, she decided to leave her office mail cart and call it quits. Every so often I still see her because she visits old friends who are still grinding away at the job.

I worked with her for a few years and got to know her well. I affectionately referred to her as Ms. T. She was one of the kindest ladies I have ever known. She didn’t curse, drink or smoke. And for unknown reasons, at least in my eyes—she never had any ambition or desire to do anything other than to survive. But then I eventually realized that Ms. T was old school.

She grew up in the civil rights days when African-Americans and women weren’t afforded decent jobs with a retirement plan or health insurance. As an African-American child growing up in the 50s, she came from a time where she didn’t’ have the same rights as a Caucasian. So when she landed a job working for the government, it was a special moment because she viewed it as an opportunity and not a job.

When Ms. T was a youth, most teens began working immediately after high school. People could still get jobs and hold onto to them until retirement and that’s what Ms. T did. Although her position didn’t pay well, she was proud of her work.

For over 30 years, she lived in the same tiny apartment and never purchased a home. She was also single because she had outlived her two husbands. Furthermore, she never held a driver’s license or owned a car. Since she lived within city limits, she used city transportation to get to where she needed to be.

Ms. T maintained her same mail room position for 30 years and never applied for any promotions or other jobs. She was also dedicated because she never called in sick or missed work. If you meet any old school workers, you will see this within their generation. Unless they were half-dead, they worked. Most likely, depending upon your age, this could have been a work ethic shared with your parents or grandparents. Approximately 12 weeks before her retirement, Ms. T stepped off a city bus and missed the bottom step and had to be hospitalized.

Although her face was bandaged like a mummy and she had a black eye, she only missed a few days of work. I asked her why she didn’t take off two months and then retire. She didn’t do so because she was more concerned about her co-workers having to do her job while she was out. I told her she should be more concerned about herself and not worry about her co-workers. But Ms. T wouldn't hear of it because she was always so unselfish.

Before Ms. T left, management presented her with a large picture book about Ohio. After many years of service, Ms. T walked out the door with memories of her career and a book about Ohio.

God Bless you Ms. T.

…William Greene
http://www.socialhearts.com