FNG

Angie and I went to a burrito joint* the other night. As we entered the establishment the electric heaters above the patio tables gently warmed us. I thought in awe about a business that would consider the feelings of someone wishing to procure a thin round of unleavened wheat flour bread filled with charred beef and pico de gallo, and taking time to consider that they may wish to enhance the experience with 5 degree weather. Long story longer, we waited in line, admiring the simple menu. Burrito, Burrito Bol, Taco's, Salad. Simple menu notwithstanding, we began to wonder why someone a mere 3 people in front of us was having such a hard time deciding. We quickly determined that it was the "new employee effect" at work. We could have opened up our own tasty burrito establishment with a catchy slogan in the time it took them to make our order. Clearly they assumed that, being Monday night, business would be slow and why not put the FNG on the front line, even though he clearly was not up to par, or up to sub-par at the time. Before you get mad at me, I am sure that he is a wonderful man with a sweet spirit who pays his rent on time and helps his elderly neighbor across the street take out the trash. (Keep in mind that's what they always say about serial killers...) However, he was clearly not ready to be "on the front line." He at least needed a helper to prompt him on what he needed to do next. Not being a regular customer of the fine establishment, I couldn't prompt him myself.
Alas, we managed to gather our foil wrapped manifestations of spicy goodness and eat. We sated our hunger and we left, once again warmed by the electric heat lamps on the patio, fearful of the warming to follow the next day.


*If I were to establish my own burrito joint it would be self serve. The slogan would be "At this joint, you roll your own." You'll come hungry, but you'll leave starving. With cottonmouth.