Some people don't want to mention about the past, lesson learn
By kingparker
@kingparker (9673)
United States
August 27, 2012 3:36pm CST
When I was working on my part - time job, an old friend came to visit and order some food to go. He was working at the restaurant before, but from time to time, he came to visit; now he is a acupuncturist, we called him Dr, Su. One of his customers also our regular customer, and they saw each other then start to chat. His patient asked him asked him are you a regular customer here too, and how do you know the owner, etc.... Then I saw him think it over, then I voluntarily answer for him. He actually work here for a couple of months as busboy. Then he got it clear. After this customer left the table, he turned to me with an unhappy face, you shouldn't tell him what I did in the past, he might not come back to me. I just a bit confused, what you did in the past is totally legal, it was just menial work, but I don't think it will affect your customer's loyalty.
Anyway, it was my fault, I shouldn't be such a big mouth, and tell him that. And I also realize how this once I called "friend" true color. I will keep my mouth shut. A lesson learned.
3 people like this
12 responses
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
16 Sep 12
You did learn a valuable lesson there. although what he did before was honorable work and fine. Some people are just plain embarrassed about what they have done for work in the past. So that is why he got upset with you. I personally see nothing wrong with telling the truth. And I am sure thats what you were doing. But like i said, some people don't seem to like the truth.
@arvintot (401)
• Philippines
28 Aug 12
Hello, I do agree that some people don't want to mention or talk about the past because their past may contains events in their life that they really don't want to think of again and sometimes they experience something that really hurt them. I also have experiences and events in my life that I really don't want to mention or talk about to anyone, because I think its a private part of my life that I could and have a right to not to talk or mention it about.
I think I also had experience that I asked someone about like a few years back and they answer me do you have any other question or any answer that they could tell me, or they would just change the topic. So when I noticed that they don't want to talk about that I would stop asking. Have a nice day.
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
28 Aug 12
Pretty obvious he was embarrassed of his past. But he's actually got a point when he said patients won't be coming to him if they find out what he did in the past. You see, some people think that what someone did in the past could affect his credibility.
@freedang (320)
• China
28 Aug 12
hehehe,there is nothing to worry about that.
but i think it do neccessary to not talk about someone's past at random.coz you cannt know if they like it or not.
to be honest,i have something that i do not want somebody to mention.there is the past events that even are unbearable to recall..hehehe
@arnold1428 (125)
• India
28 Aug 12
oh, people doesnt like, if its a small job, but whats wrong in that, as long as his job is a legal one, and his work is honest, why should he hide? No logic in this, there should be some piont if he is hiding.
@jysloveln (5)
• China
28 Aug 12
Obviously,this your friend is very face saving person.Actually in the real life,we really should not be too much in the presence of others refer to other people's past.Restaurant'job is not a very decent job.I hope everyone later can respect others' face.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
28 Aug 12
It's too bad, but the thing is, a lot of people do look down on people who work in restaurants or stores. It wasn't nice of your friend to talk to you like that, though, because it was perfectly reasonable of you to answer the question.
@sk66rc (4250)
• United States
27 Aug 12
I've always believed making a honest living is never a something to be shamed of, weather it's busing table at the restaurant or selling peanuts on the side of road... Flip side of that is, it's really a personal decision weather that person wants to share that with someone else... That's one of the reason why I won't give out someone else's phone number... One of the girl I know asked me for our mutual friends phone number... She said when she changed her phone, she lost his phone number... I told her I'll give him her phone number to call her since I don't give out other people's phone numbers... She said, "Isn't that the same thing?". So I said, "Obviously you don't mind him having your phone number & if you had his phone number in your old phone, it's likely that he has your number, too... I'll just tell him to call you...". If it's a conversation regarding private things, such as phone numbers or what they used to do in the past, I would always leave it upto the, to discuss it...
@deazil (4730)
• United States
27 Aug 12
Well, you made a mistake and you learned from it. If your friend is a good acupuncturist his patient won't leave him, hopefully. It's understandable that you feel bad. But what's done is done and you're sorry. Don't be too hard on yourself. He may be upset but I think if I were in his place and realized my friend made a mistake and was sorry I would still be your friend. You didn't say it to make problems for him. But as you said, lesson learned. Your friend should forgive and forget. Try to cheer up.
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
27 Aug 12
Don't feel too bad, it was an honest mistake on your part. Some people really would rather make themselves seem to live better lives even to the point of lying but that's their business. They will be answerable for their own lives someday somehow. And you're right, better stick to your own from now on. I have also learned to let people do the talking about their past, that its their stories to tell not mine.
@MsControversy (446)
• United States
27 Aug 12
I understand where he was coming from. You made a mistake, don't beat yourself up about it. You didn't know that he didn't want anyone to know what he used to do. Unfortunately a lot of people look down on restaurant workers. Have you ever heard someone say "if you don't go to college, you'll be flipping burgers". It the minimum wage aspect of it all. I don't think that his patient, knowing that he used to be a busboy will affect his loyalty either. A lot of people wait and bus tables through college and there's nothing wrong with it at all. I used to wait tables and I'm no ashamed at all. I actually made pretty good money doing it. But unfortunately, money and success can change people and your friend may have been ashamed to admit that he was once a busboy now that he is in a higher position. Like I said, don't beat yourself up about it.
