Warner Update
Making a difference, one person at a time
Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe (Nov. 1 - 10)
Our Conscience, Our Character
In the 1990s the 1789 Restaurant in Washington, which is still around today, hired Georgetown University athletes as valets. I was not a Georgetown athlete, but I covered for one over winter break and earned a permanent spot in the holiday rotation.
The job was fantastic. Parking cars wasn’t hard labor, and the chef had a soft spot for valets, so we always ate well. I think he enjoyed watching us knock back peanut soup while huddled in a stairwell below street level.
The maître d’ was a gentleman. When a valet dined in the restaurant—say, with his girlfriend—this courtly man made sure the couple was given a table by the fireplace and treated like royalty. Once, when dining with my now-wife, the chef asked if it was my first time having the venison. I told him it was my first time having the venison indoors, at a table with silverware and without gloves.
The two valets per shift pooled their tips because it would be unseemly to fight over the fanciest cars. Not that we could ever really tell who would tip well. The most bankable car for a “par” tip—Georgetown golfers had designed the scoring system—was the Chrysler LeBaron.
Everyone had a “best tip” story. Mine featured a guy who, when he handed over his keys, tore a $50 bill in my face, gave me half, and told me I would get the other half at the end of the night. I did, and some tape and one dimly lit convenience store later, I made change and went home happy.
Of all the tip stories I heard, Sean’s stands out. I didn’t work with Sean that night, but I trust Tom, the valet who did.
One night Sean retrieved a car while Tom chatted with its owner. Sean handed back the keys and received his tip. One thing valets do well is discreetly identify cash. As the car drove off, Sean realized he was holding a $100 bill.
“How’d we do?” Tom asked. “A hundred dollars,” Sean answered. “Unbelievable!” Tom exclaimed. But Sean disagreed. “It’s not right,” he said. “Look at that car. No way he meant to give us this.”
Sean sprinted after it. He caught the car three blocks away and explained the situation to the speechless driver, who hadn’t intended, and couldn’t afford, to tip so much. The driver took back the money, gave Sean a new tip and drove off.
Tom started in on Sean while he was still half a block away. “Well?” Sean affirmed that the $100 had been a mistake. “He tipped us, though,” Sean added, a faint smile on his face. “Three bucks.”
I’ve had many occasions over the years to think about that story. When the driver took back the $100, what should he have given in its place?
What was the minimum to ensure Sean stayed on the high road the next time around? Every time I’ve considered it, $20 has always seemed right.
Only now do I realize the question is irrelevant. Only now do I know why Sean smiled. He wouldn’t even have minded getting stiffed. Sean had already made up his mind when he started running. His character wasn’t for sale.
The more I think about it, that’s the best tip I’ve ever received. Thanks, Sean.
NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE:
Monday, Nov. 4th: 2nd Grade PLC Day at Admin
Tuesday, Nov. 5th: Bible Release 9am
Wednesday, Nov. 6th: Veteran's Day Assembly grades 3 & 4 at 9am
Wednesday, Nov. 6th: PLC Wednesday
- Quarter 2: What essential standard(s) is your grade prioritizing?
- How will you know if students learned it? (Formative assessments)
- Discuss interventions - what strategies appear to work?
Thursday, Nov. 7th: 3rd Grade PLC Day at Admin
Thursday, Nov. 7th: PTO Meeting 6pm
Friday, Nov. 8th: Valic Rep in lounge at lunch time
* Seussical playing at Western High School this weekend
* Veteran's Day is Nov. 11th: Here is an option for classes.
* Reminder from Friday's Staff Meeting: Balance your communication and document, document, document.