The Friday release of “The Devil Wears Prada” spotlights a recent trend of behind-the-scenes tell alls about bosses from hell (see also: Anonymous Lawyer, a blog parodying an elite legal firm).
This got me thinking about my own experiences with alleged “superiors.” There’s many tales I could tell, but I’ll focus on one boss in particular — the Iranian-born manager of a golf course eatery where I once toiled.
Reza was in a constant state of distress, always worried he’d lose his job (understandable, considering he was generally overmatched). By the time I started working there, Reza had begun to use profanity as a motivator, except that he had not mastered the art of cursing.
Example: “The Chris, you fuck stupid!” Which, of course, would generate giggles from all the employees, which would just make Reza angrier. “Goddammit you all will be fired and be unemployed fucking!” Huh?
Fortunately, I was able to bridge the divide with Reza through our unrequited love of the Atlanta Braves. His was an angry love, however — “Goddamn Bobby Cox why he keep playing that piece of fuck (Jeff) Blauser!”
Just before I quit Reza found himself in hot water after making a disparaging comment to one of the female employees — “You should walk 10 feet behind me at all times!” Not good. Fearing his dismissal, Reza came to work with his wife and six kids, smiling broadly as he politely introduced them around. “The Chris, this is my beautiful family. Aren’t they beautful?”
I don’t know if Reza ended up losing his job or not, but in the end I’m glad I worked for him — he gave good anecdote.
I had a Bulgarian theater teacher who, while directing me in a scene from Romeo and Juliet, commented thusly:”Edick, you are Romeo. You are wanting Juliet. She is…how you say…a good piece of yellow chicken.”Huh?