In the name of all things Holy...

I finally have had enough.  I have worked in the service industry for the better part of 20 years as either a server, bartender, manager…you name it, I’ve done it.  I’ve even picked up the odd bussing shift here and there.  For the most part, it’s easy work for decent bank. I’m sure my father is rolling over in his grave to know that my high priced liberal arts college degree is being used to sling pasta and pizza for $5 an hour plus tips. Now, I generally keep my grips about the general public’s lack of manners and social graces to myself.  However, it was today, Tuesday April 2, 2013 that I reached by breaking point.  And what tipped the scale to break two decades of silence?  Flipping Jesus.

My mother always said to avoid 3 subjects in mixed company: sex, politics and religion. I have found that living by this policy has kept me out of the hot seat and I generally try to maintain a Swiss like attitude on touchy subjects. Sure, I have opinions but the couple at table 45 wants more ice tea NOT my opinion on the Obama Administration or my experiences with German midget fetish porn.  I am at work to do a job.  In the simplest terms - provide you with an excellent experience.

I never share personal information about any of the three forbidden subjects, so I find it VERY poor manners when my customers see fit to thrust their opinions on a subject by defiling my check presenter with their personal religious beliefs.  Oh, yes, that’s what did it.  Ask any server and they will tell you that there is nothing that makes them cringe more than popping open a check presenter and seeing that tiny piece of religious material.  And today, one such pamphlet found its way into my life; uninvited, unwanted, and certainly unable to achieve its desired effect.  This Sunday (or any Sunday for that matter) I won’t be attending the recommended Baptist church listed on the back. 

I was raised to view religion as a private agreement between the God/savior/cult of my choice and personally I found the literature to be highly offensive.  I know what the naysayers will say.  Their religion is about spreading the word of Jesus and encouraging others to accept him as a path to salvation.  And in this great nation of ours, we have the right of religious freedom.  BUT, don’t I also have the right to go to my place of employment, perform my job description with stellar success and not have someone’s religious views thrown at me?  I didn’t describe to you in detail the way my boyfriend nailed me from behind like a carpenter’s hand to a crucifix.  Oh!  Wait! Was that taking it too far?  Did I cross the line of good taste by bringing your religion into my bedroom with a poorly worded pun? Well religious faithful, I find it just as equally offensive that you feel that I need to be saved based on the way I grated your cheese. 

I respect your right to worship as you see fit, but I ask that in return you respect my right to voice my discontent when your personal beliefs cross paths with my income.  I want anyone reading this to understand that I don’t have a problem with any religion.  I think spiritual enlightenment is a beautiful, personal journey that should be cherished. And maybe one day, I will find my spiritual path and I will stuff religious literature and a few singles in the G-string of a stripper.  But until then, I will just stay sinful.  Now, I’m off to watch Hell’s Kitchen.