Restaurant work

Back in ‘98-’99 I had an asst mgr job at a garment district restaurant. It was called “Giggles” and had a TGIF vibe. Anyway super busy with office workers for lunch. Dinner was dead except for Thur and Fri nights the mgr developed a salsa/merengue party that seriously attracted a couple hundred people. They lined up to get in and fought with the bouncers and mgr over the no sneakers/jeans policy. One guy ran to the Gap and bought himself pants and asked (nicely) if he could jump back in the line and get in. Mgr was impressed.

Mixed races: black, latinix and white and a few asians but only spanish music. People could really dance and dress. Party was from 5–10:30 pm and we emptied out the place by 11. Crowd always disappointed that the fun ended so early but they came back every week. Blacks and Latinix didn’t warm up to me right away but one night mgr and bouncers were dealing with a shitstorm that had (rarely) developed in back when I see a guy pop a woman right in the face. I ran up and grabbed him under his arms and wrapped my hands around his neck so all he could do was struggle to free his throat. I dragged him out into the street and tossed him. He couldn’t believe a woman had thrown him out. Many of the patrons followed me screaming at him. After that I got mad props. They all greeted me each night with Yo! Sheena!

Getting off topic. Alcohol and cocaine ran freely amongst the staff and we all hit it pretty heavy. Thing is? It was loaded with characters, events and a lovely and fun staff so that year and change has more memories for me than the last 20 at — — — hotel. Haven’t done coke before or since and still wondering how I passed a drug test for the hotel I worked at next