Anyone else encountering ‘spaced out’ service workers?

[Anonymous]

Is this rampant drug use? Marijuana vaping? I have never done drugs in my life but I don’t know what else this could be. I didn’t notice it pre-Covid. Bartenders, waitstaff, cashiers, and even hostesses seem dull, sluggish, and ‘spaced out’ (my husband’s term) when you converse with them. Including this morning, at a Sunday brunch.

[Anonymous]

Was it in Georgetown? I caught them smoking before going in. They said it was a cigarette.

[Anonymous]

yes, I think they are using something. a lot of people's brains seem somewhat scrambled post-COVID.

[Anonymous]

Working these jobs is horrible and usually doesn’t even pay the bills…I wouldn’t begrudge these people a joint before work

[Anonymous]

Drug use in the restaurant industry?? Never!!

[Anonymous]

Report it to the police

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Report it to the police

If it’s weed, recreational weed and vaping is legal. Or maybe spaced out and mumbling is just the outcome of the local schools these days. I don’t think it’s a coincidence restaurant food quality is so iffy these days. If front of house is this spaced out, imagine what’s going on in the back.

[Anonymous]

pot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pot.

“Let’s be blunt — legal weed is turning New York workers into zombies”

https://nypost.com/2023/04/16/how-new-yorks-legal-weed-is-turning-workers-into-stoned-zombies/amp/

[Anonymous]

A stoned citizenry is ripe for take out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A stoned citizenry is ripe for take out

Sorry make that take over

[Anonymous]

Edibles

[Anonymous]

A lot of service workers are young and hung over from the night before.They are getting paid peanuts and realize there is no real reward for company loyalty or snappy service. Many people will tip out of guilt regardless of service and the more demanding customers aren’t worth the deferential song and dance. Barring a few fresh-faced polite college kid employees, we need to accept sullen service workers as the new normal and get over our need for obsequious or even competent service. No one cares.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think those in their 20s feel as compelled to make small talk with people. As a hostess, the job is to take your reservation and then to your table. No need to discuss the weather or answer questions.

DH likes to talk to the waitstaff. More and more, they don’t want the small talk. Take your order and bring your food. No entertainment along the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think those in their 20s feel as compelled to make small talk with people. As a hostess, the job is to take your reservation and then to your table. No need to discuss the weather or answer questions.

DH likes to talk to the waitstaff. More and more, they don’t want the small talk. Take your order and bring your food. No entertainment along the way.

I sort of understand their perspective. Customers in restaurants or on vacation tend to be older and financially solvent and that chatty faux bonhomie/noblesse oblige Q&A while you’re trying to work and are worried about your clunker car, making rent, other tables, etc. must be annoying. I think it is natural to feel a little resentful and reluctant to engage in jovial banter.