The first reason is simple. My old friend hooked me up with this job. I don't want to say it's his name on the line, because he's the boss. He could send 20 incompetent waitresses their way and he'd still be the boss. Regardless, I want to do him proud.
The second reason is a bit more complicated and comes, unsurprisingly, with a story....
Let me take to 19-year-old me. 19-year-old me really wanted to work at the campus bar. There were roughly 1200 applications for 70 or so spots, most of which were filled by returning students (union rules, everyone had to reapply for their job every year). That's a lot of applications for not very many jobs, and I was up against some stiff competition. The reason so many people wanted those jobs is because they were awesome jobs to have. They paid well above minimum wage, were flexible about working around class schedules/vacations/exams, and, most importantly, it was a cool job to have. Good bands played there, people lined up for hours to get in. And they treated their staff really well. Really, really well.
Needless to say, I didn't get the gig. I was disappointed, but I hadn't really been expecting to get it in the face of so many other qualified applicants. I still showed up every Thursday for 80s night with all my friends.
A few months later, they advertised again. I don't remember my first interview at all, but I remember the second one was a group interview, and a friend of mine was in my group. I remember being asked a question, something about why they should hire me and answering it rather modestly. My friend interrupted my answer to add another reason I should be hired, to brag about an accomplishment on my behalf.
We were both hired.
I loved working there, and really, really wanted to do a good job of it. I started as a coat check girl, and although I was just happy to be employed there, I desperately wanted to bartend. After 2 years, I got my wish.
I was proud to be a bartender there. It was busy and stressful and really hard work, but it was fun, and every time I put on a staff shirt I felt a small thrill of pride. Ah, that bar. We all loved it so much that when the university decided they were going to tear it down, there was a protest. A 9 day sit in that ended in arrests. Not just the staff, either. Our patrons loved the place so much, felt so loyal towards that bar, that they were arrested too.
Bartending is a different beast in Canada than in the UK. In Canada it's a tough job and that brings pride and pays well. In the UK it's just a tough job. But I still feel the pride. And that's the (very long) story about why I'm nervous.
Wish a sister luck tomorrow.
Not the most artistic picture, but it's hard to find one that hits the nail on the head more clearly. Well, without showing people's faces anyway. I don't know if I should, but I feel funny about publishing people's faces without their permission. Anyway. That sign was made by a patron during the protest and taped to the door.
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