Sunday, June 04, 2006

Panic at the Hoagie Shop

I had a good day today but there was one moment I wish to share. I was wrapping orders around lunchtime and since there were only 3 people in the kitch I had to pull double duty between the fryer and wrapping. I was on the ball with the fry stuff but didn't have time to wrap it. So Bill comes back so there's four and I focus only on wrapping but it's already a little bit complicated because I am still thinking about the food down in the fryer and wrapping is behind. I get two orders out and then on the next two I accidentally mixed up a container with 10 wings with a salad container by reading the slip wrong, I gave it out but quickly realized my mistake and got it back. When I went for the salad it wasn't finished because it still needed noodles. I tried to get the order with the wings out but I still needed a sandwich. John making the salad asks if we have more noodles and I say we do and where they are. Meanwhile the girls upfront and looking at me asking me if the order I almost handed out is done yet but I still needed the salad. Bill brings a bunch of sandwiches over and tells me to get a completely different dine in order out but I am still trying to get the other two out. Everyone was asking me questions like John who can't find the noodles, the girls are asking for orders and it felt like everyone was looking at and telling me "FASTER!" I broke into a panic and started telling people to back off and was telling peoplee I am working on it and to hold on. Then Bill asks why I can't get one order out (this is all in the span of a minute and a half). I start to say "CALM DOWN!" relatively loudly then 1/2 way through I realize I am the loudest person and everyone else is talking softly and not asking for anything. I think I have voices in my head that put massive pressure on me at all times. It all got sorted out but my chest felt tight afterwards and I needed to catch my breathe for a few minutes. In retrospect it is really funny that I freaked out for no reason at all, but I think I have serious issues with stress and pressure.