Posted on 12/15/2004 11:21:51 PM PST by My Favorite Headache
I had to share this with my fellow Freepers. I just got in the door from an evening out with my lady...and our evening ended up with a late meal at the local TGI Friday's in Melbourne,Florida.
Who cares,right?
Well about 45 mins into my meal I took a look around the establishment and noticed something really out of place. I thought to myself "every store I have been in tonight has had some sort of holiday decorations or tree...what gives?".
What gives indeed.
When I excused myself to go to the restroom I saw a flyer that was stapled to the inside of the bathroom door that showed the hours of operation for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Years Eve and New Years Day. Open til 2AM on Christmas Day and 10 PM on Christmas Eve....how nice.
But it was what I didn't see that really made the impression. Not one single holiday decoration. Not one light,Christmas Tree,garland,reindeer,santa,tinsel, you name it...it was not there. Bare as can be like it was the middle of August.
So I waited for the waitress to come back to the table to inquire about what exactly was the reason for this? I have forever gone into Friday's for decades and have always seen decorations and Christmas music playing up near the bar. I have always seen waiters and waitresses wearing Santa hats or in the Holiday spirit.
None was to be seen or found. I then was told why.
TGI Friday's has gone out of its way to not promote the holiday except when you walk in the door which there was a mobile hanging from the ceiling that said "instead of cologne..buy gift certificates instead."
This was it?
The waitress continued to explain that since they have adopted a new change in wardrobe (i.e. the new black shirt and black pants instead of red and white striped shirts and pins and buttons)the upper management wants nothing to do with Christmas and feel's it might make the patrons feel uncomfortable if they push the season in their faces. They believe it is an eating establishment...not a place to celebrate one religion's celebration.
My jaw about hit the floor. There it was...in 100% color...Friday's has buckled and sucked it up to the PC police and now are Scrooge with their employee's who are told "business is business and work is work...this is social hour for the customer...not the employee."
Now anyone who has gone to one of these places knows it is the personality of Friday's which has always been a draw not to mention its late hours. It has a social alive feeling and it is a big attraction for ages 19-35. So why would Friday's adopt this ridiculous policy out of the clear blue sky?
I would venture to guess that this "upper management" has their collective head's up their asses.
As for Friday's....thanks but no thanks. Next time...Chili's.
Hobby Lobby is owned by Christians. Always Christian music playing in the background and also closed on Sundays.
Office Space rules
So is Chik-Fila
Precisely. LOL
Yep. And CF tries to hire home-schoolers too!
I guess it's not TGI Good Friday.
Better place in New England and New York for you, and they do celebrate Christmas:
http://www.99restaurants.com/
Just what does the G in TGI Fridays stand for anyway? Not goodness, and certainly not God...
(mumbles under breath) "Don't touch my stapler."
The Great Insensitive Fridays
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide
4201 Marsh Lane, Carrollton, TX 75007
1-800-FRIDAYS
The are owned by the english!!
What? No more flair?
I stopped and said a few words to a Salvation Army bell ringer yesterday, thanked her for standing in the cold, asked her how long she was working (4 more hours, 6 total), and let her know I appreciated her taking the time out of her day to do that. I shoulda got her a hot chocolate. Maybe I'll do that today.
On a positive note, I'm starting to see Christmas being mentioned in store ads the last few days. Maybe the retailers are panicking? The Home Depot sent out a circular mentioning Christmas at least 3 times where before it was all about "Holiday" trees and "Holiday" decorations.
I guess your waitress wasn't serious about her "pieces of flair"
I'd rather go to Flingers
I just thought they'd sneezed while typing HAMBURGER. :D
"...Just what does the G in TGI Fridays stand for anyway? Not goodness, and certainly not God..."
Grinch, maybe?
I also recommend American Job, an amazing and depressing documentary.
I will be sure to check those out..thanks.
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