We were both having a rough week to begin with. I(Jessica) found out that morning that I didn’t get an apartment I wanted in Manhattan, and yesterday I(Nahrin) got pulled over before school for a speeding ticket. The one thing that we were sure of that was going to cheer us up was a QHST cheese sandwich. Yes…cheese sandwich.
We have to admit, these cheese sandwiches have changed over the last few months. They went from being big, juicy, cheesy sandwiches with all the works with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, to scrawny little whole wheat bread with a slice of cheese. But somehow, they just seem to hit the spot.
So Wednesday afternoon, we went down to the cafeteria to purchase one of these infamous delicious sandwiches. Long story short…I (Nahrin) paid $3 for the sandwich and no fries. While paying, I(Jessica) grabbed the tray and walked down to the salad station to get a little bit of lettuce that is no longer served in the sandwich. Jessica then picked up the tongs, reached them into the lettuce bin when all of the sudden she heard the echoes of the lunch lady. The lunch lady then continued to scold us. We were mortified, appalled, and embarrassed that we were being reprimanded in front of the students that we teach for taking some lettuce!
We obviously didn’t want the situation at hand to escalate and in order to avoid confrontation we politely talked to her about how two pieces of lettuce is not included in our $3 meal and asked her for a “free” packet of mustard.
Although we do love our cheese sandwiches, we do not love being spoken down to in front of our students by other staff members. This is not the first incident. In the past, we have been told that as teachers we are not allowed to take a spork!
We understand that teachers are not entitled to free meals and that everything is accounted for in the cafeteria. We are NOT asking for free lettuce! We are just asking for a little respect. The students themselves were shocked by the situation. We hope that by avoiding confrontation we set a good example for them for the future when they are denied some lettuce.
Signed-(Still very hungry and very dissatisfied from their lunch)
Chowdhury and Goldberg
11 comments:
I wonder...will you still continue to purchase the infamous scrawny little sandwiches that seem to hit the spot?
Do keep us updated! I so enjoyed your post.
i think you should do it again and again until lettuce is put back on the sandwiches.
Man that's "ruffage"...I say we create a protocol for proper teacher - cafeteria personnel kinship:
Rule Number #1:
Never expect side dishes or any other ancillary nutrition. Professionals mustn’t be so presumptuous. Rather, politely ask as such: "Excuse, most vile, insolent and bitter employee, may I trouble you for a single slice of leafy greens to accompany my savory, delicately 'Krafted' cheese sandwich?"
Rule Number #2:
If you are denied the chlorophyll-rich topping try again. True professionals are experts at dealing with resistance and getting what they want.
Give this a whirl: "Perhaps you've mistaken what I was trying to say -GIVE ME THE F-IN’ PIECE OF LETTUCE, I JUST GOT OUT OF CLASS WITH 30+ INSANE KIDS WHO'VE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO COMPLETELY ANNHILATE A LESSON THAT I HAVE MASTERFULLY PLANNED FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS! LORD KNOWS THEY REFUSE TO DO ANY WORK. NOW I COME DOWN HERE, SIMPLY ASKING FOR A VEGETABLE TOPPING TO MASQUERADE THE STENCH RISING FROM MY SANDWICH, AND YOU TOO REFUSE MY SIMPLE REQUEST? NOT ONLY THAT, YOU INSIST ON REPRIMANDING ME IN FRONT OF MY STUDENTS, THE SAME STUDENTS MIND YOU THAT I HAVE SPENT ALL YEAR TRYING TO GET TO TREAT ME AND MY COLLEGUES WITH RESPECT AND RECOGNIZE AS SYMBOLS OF AUTHORITY - YOU MY DEAR, HAVE BRILLIANTLY MANAGED TO OBLITERATE WITH 4 SIMPLE WORDS - "NO LETTUCE FOR YOU!" WHAT AM I SIX? DO YOU SEE ME CARRYING A SCOOBY-DOO LUNCHBOX?
CAN'T YOU SEE I AM F-IN’ STARVIN' HERE! DO YOU NOT HAVE A HEART?
Rule Number #3 (99.9% likely):
If the lunch employee replies: "Nope." Then make sure you fork up another $4…
and get that damn lettuce!
I, too have been treated harshly during a recent dining experience. I was denied a spork. The incident occured after I purchased lunch for $4 and walked out of the serving area. As soon as my foot stepped out of the doorway, I realized I forgot my spork. I turned around to retrieve my spork and I was yelled at by a cafeteria staff member and told I could not return for any items. I explained that I had just purchased lunch (the tray was still in my hand) but I was still denied a spork. I was appauled. Shouldn't the spork be included in the $4 price of the lunch? Spork and lettuce denial must come to an end.
I say we ban together and protest the treatment of staff members in the cafeteria. We shall overcome. We should not stop until the lettuce is put back where it belongs - ON THE CHEESE SANDWICH.
Freireternally
Gee...I am confused..who's bitter; "chopper" or the lunch lady?????????
why must you stereotype: "Lunch Lady"...can't men work in the caf?
next thing you'll say is that everyone wears hairnets...
The ladies (and men) who work in our cafeteria are terrific. They would happily serve you lettuce--no charge!
Thank you for addressing this important issue in our school. I now only pay $1.50 for a cheese (w/lettuce & tomato) sandwich. I really like the QHST staff who work in the kitchen/cafeteria. They always wish me a good weekend on Friday and ask how was my weekend on Monday. They've helped me with student issues, too. They see so much. I'm glad they are part of my life.
As someone who spends alot of time examining the French Revolution with students, I can give the following advice:
Viva le Revolucion
"Today the lunch room, tomorrow all of France"
Robespierre, in an address to the palace chefs, 1789
Woolsey
The King has intervened and invoked "Divine Right" regarding the cheese sandwich affair. Once again, peace and harmony reign over the land
I noticed that the lettuce was back in the cheese sandwich today!
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