A True Story
06/01/20
by Anthony Mitchell
This is one wacky game show. That keeps running through my head. Something one of my best friends has been saying to me for about 5 years now. It's true, and being alive during a worldwide pandemic has definitely given me perspective on that statement. Every day is finding a new way to connect with people. Being that most of my job was socializing and seeing hundreds of faces a week it's been ingrained in me to reach out and be involved with people. I've been able to stay connected with my friends and family and the folks I would generally see on a regular basis. I've also been able to reach out to other people, friends who have moved away that I've always been "too busy" to call or check in on. Being in touch with regulars from the bar via instagram and facebook. A generalized "hope you're ok!" or " Miss you!" can sometimes go a long way.
I grew up with what my family described to me as a safety net, a constant network of family who would be there no matter what. Someone to talk to when you're down, someone to reach out and say "hope you're doing well!" or "Miss you!". Those phrases can hit hard when you're not expecting them or you don't know you need them. Someone to pick up at 9am, 4pm, 3am if they could. Maybe they couldn't always talk long but for the most part they'd at least pick up. This is what I've been trying to be for people during these times. A safety net. No judgement, call or text or reach out anytime and since I'm not working I'll generally pick up or respond. During uncertain times I would hope to be a constant for as many folks as I can. Just like the bar I worked at was a constant for my regulars, or anyone on the street. No judgement. The doors were open and welcomed everyone. People discussed everything and anything. As long as it was respectful, it was welcome. Staying connected has also been a way for me to continue normalcy in my life. My social life hasn't necessarily skipped a beat other than not physically being with some of these people.
I feel very lucky to be able to have that during these times. Modern technology helps, from the family zoom time every Sunday to being able to watch folks doing karaoke from their houses via zoom with Cafe Mustache. Even when that's not the medium, just plain texting and group texts have made everything from binge watching a terrible show together to reminiscing about old music videos feel less like you're the only one in the room. I've also noticed as time goes on that people are spending more time listening to other people. On facetime and zoom calls it feels like less of a free for all than it did in the beginning of the quarantine. People talking over each other has seemed to move to more of a roundtable discussion. Phone calls are lasting longer, less of the "hey how you doin good" and more actual conversation.
Maybe we're starting to get it. Maybe we're all slowing down and paying attention to more than just our "gotta get here gotta do that" day to day. Maybe it's just me. I like to think that it's the safety net being built. Weaving connections together to leave less gaps for people to fall through. I can only hope this continues as the world starts to reopen. As more and more people get out and hit the streets they can actually take the time to stop and talk. They can continue to have civil roundtable discussions. That people will listen to each other. I hope this carries over into the bar world. The world that I spent my whole adult life in and have built a career in. If we can take this experience and use it in our industry to reach out to people more and listen more. To have more discussions other than just letting people's voices fall to the wayside. We might be able to solve some deep rooted problematic habits that exist in our industry. Our safety net in the industry will grow when we reach out and talk to people about what they need and what we can do for them in our industry. This time of reflection might be just what we need because in the end, it's one wacky game show and we're not going to get by without a safety net.
True Story
1.5oz Detroit City Distillery Blue Line Gin
1oz lillet blanc
.75oz Meletti Amaro
Stir all ingredients together, strain into a chilled glass, express a lemon peel over the top of the drink
Anthony Mitchell has worked in the service industry in Chicago for 14 years. He's worked from door guy to manager at neighborhood bars, downtown restaurants and clubs. Currently he is with Heisler Hospitality and is the GM of The Revel Room. He is a self described lifer.