Ode to the Waitress at Newark Airport
You can tell much about a person by how they wait tables. The worse the place, the more you can tell. Do they take pride in their work in spite of their surroundings? Transcending the sullen and dull with a mote of warm light? Or, as my TSA associates did, let it be known, in every single movement, how much they loathe their working lives, and you for spending your moments with them? St. Christoper, in my rendering, does not look kindly upon their souls.
Yet, tonight, at the Sam Adam’s bar, by gate 62, at Newark Airport, was a bright eyed, brown haired, wonder of service, with a killer smile, who transformed my dull hours waiting for a long flight into the extraordinary. I watched her dance between tables, charming and serving, making the stress and sadness that accumulates in these hopeless places melt away. There is a rare kind of wonder in watching joy and proficiency combine. Much too young to call me hon’ (as in honey), she did it anyway, which had it’s own unintentional charm.
There should be a shrine in your honor in every airport bar. A beacon of hope for the huddled masses stuck for far too long in the interstitial purgatory of airports, place so bereft of life that they are driven to drink in such unfortunate confines.
I deem you Nina, the innocent unknowing savior of my pre-red-eye flight evening, as the new patron saint of the weary traveler. May all who endure the red-eye, the flight delay, and all mindless time in soulless places, learn the wonders of your charms.
Great yarn, Scott. Not too many “techies” can bring Nina to life like this.
So, did you get her number?
I like it when you write like this. excellent. more!
Air travel invokes a special kind of misery when you get delayed or you are about to embark on a long cramped flight. I’m surprised (and thankful) how a single person can change my attitude and outlook esp. when I have to be away from the family.
On the road now, in a hotel bar – working 700 miles from home. And now a little uplifted. Thanks for the story.
Dude, how many beers did you pound??
It truly is amazing what a difference good service makes when you find yourself stuck for hours waiting for a plane. So glad to hear that Nina took good care of you. Cheers!
Glad to hear that good service still happens and that you where the recipient of same.
Nina sounds like heaven.
I hope you told her all this.
Technology and architecture (in airports) change, but the basics of human interaction remain the same. We all want to stay in the most congenial places and go back to where we find warmth and welcome. Wishing there were more Ninas in ‘soulless places’ we often find ourselves in.
Its a human nature that wherever he get warmth and welcome he likes that and this the case with most of the business also as they give priority to the customer satisfaction and then to business and hence they do well..and you are the lucky one.