Welcome to Friday Fictioneers where each week close to 100 people participate in a flash fiction challenge based on a photo prompt.
This week’s photo ~ Copyright: Ted Strutz
And now my 100 word story:
I’ve worked at this bar for fifteen years now; every Friday night, lots of Saturday nights too. Everyone hates working weekends but if you are a bartender, it’s what you do. It’s how you make your money, good money too, but it comes at a price.
I don’t know maybe I am just burned out, maybe this is temporary , maybe it will pass but I am tired of working the weekends. I’m tired of working nights. I’m tired of the drunks, the rude and lewd comments; the women who look down on you from their stiletto heels.
I’m tired.
Made me tired just reading about it. I’ve felt that way, too, although not from bar tending.
janet
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I work part of the weekend every week and hate it so when I saw this sad soul, I thought what it would be like to be a career bartender. Ugh.
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I think that it takes a certain kind of person to be a successful career bartender (or waitress). Of course, the same holds true for any job, but someone who’s in contact with the public all the time (and in the case of a bartender, an often inebriated public), has to have a certain something to enjoy it.
As for working part of the weekend, I imagine that wouldn’t be enjoyable. My dad worked half a day Saturday his entire working life and not only did it cut into his weekend, but into our family time as well. Do you have a day off during the week?
Enjoy your Friday!
janet
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Yes, most weeks I am off Sun, Mon, and Tuesday. It’s a trade off. I am off all weekend this weekend and off to spend it with my siblings! Enjoy your Friday as well.
~Dawn
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Isn’t everything a trade-off? Enjoy your family time!!
janet
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Thank you.
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you could feel the bartender get pulled down by the daily (weekend ) grind
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She looks that way in the picture to me.
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Have a couple drinks. Things might look up.
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Indeed, but only a couple.
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We work for forty years, same old stuff day in day out… It is tiring…. I can relate.
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Time for a change!
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i liked that you wrote about the woman on the photo, yes she does look kinda tired. i guess it could be a fun job when you’re young but 15 years, whew.
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I know, right!
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You really captured the woman in the photo who really does look world-weary. Good job.
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Thanks
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That scene would definitely get tiring. You nailed it.
Denmother
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Thank you.
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Awww. You know she’d throw it off and find a new life if she wasn’t so worn down by the drudgery.
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Sometimes when you are down like that you don’t even realize there is a choice. Good observation!
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Very original. Well done.
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Thanks
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I feel shattered today so can really empathise with the bartender! Good job.
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I hope you overcome that feeling.
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Thanks very much; I hope so, too! All part and parcel of having CFS/ME, unfortunately.
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While I’ve never been a ‘mixologist’ – I have been in retail – similar, and oh, so very happy to not be anymore…
Thanks for your visit to ‘Mrs. Peacock…”
(I actually posted a second piece this week too…as not everyone is into continuing stories.)
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I’ll check it out. I prefer to skip the continuing stories; that’s just me.
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If you’re anything like me, it will not “pass.” Time and place for everything, I suppose.
Very well written post as well!
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No, I don’t think it will pass. It’s time for a move. Make your own destiny, create your own happy ending. 😉
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Don’t hope. Make.
A lesson I have learned in spades over this past. A lesson I don’t plan on wasting. I’m glad to see you are of a similar mind!
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It certainly took me long enough lol
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43 years here, and I’m just now moving even close to the head of the class =)
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ANy position can wear you down over time. Even if you have a rosy attitude about it there will always be negatives that can overwhelm even the most optimistic soul.
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Why yes Joe, I suppose that’s true.
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This was such an appropriate story right before Mother’s Day! so… tired…
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Lol..yes. Another tiring job, indeed.
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Wow, that sure took the joy out of AnElephant’s day!
Very well written but a bit short on laughs!
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Sorry, next week I will strive to be funny. How’s that?
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I’ve never worked in a bar, but I occasionally had to work on Saturdays. I hate the feeling of only having half a weekend, too soon it’s time for work again.
You portrayed the feeling of tiredness perfectly, with life, with the attitudes of customers, well done
Dee
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After reading Ted’s story, there might be bartenders that love their work also after 15 years…
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I noticed that as well when i was reading his post. I’m thinking they don’t consistently work nights and weekends. therein lies the difference, i believe,
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Dear Dawn,
Well written. I felt the woman’s pain deeply.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle.
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This story feels true, I can understand how the bartender would feel tired after working all those weekends with all those drunks. Great writing to convey this tiredness.
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Reminded me of Madeline Kahn (sp?) in “Blazing Saddles.” Nice work, Dawn.
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Thank you 🙂
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I think everyone gets tired if they worked a job for that long. But bartending has to be right up there. Nice story.
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Thanks Jackie
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Yes, the long hours and also the attitude of people who look down upon you can be really tiring
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Yes.
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