Ron & Jen’s Great Escape, June 21, 2023 – Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien

by Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien, commentary

You know, there’s a lot to be said about good service these days. So many people are really horrible in the service industry, yet they work in it. I really have no idea why… but with that said TIPPING IS A HUGE DEAL.  I recently went out to eat and had a good server. She was courteous, seemed to enjoy her job, came back to check on us, and thanked us for coming in. She got a good tip. Conversely, there’s a coffee joint I go to where the workers are miserable, always smell like weed, and barely look you in the eye. I still tip, but toss in my change. I think the thing that really tends to bug me is that people EXPECT A TIP, SOMETIMES just for doing their damn job. Literally, they move laterally to hand you an overpriced coffee, and they want a bonus for doing what they were hired to do (while not making eye contact and smelling like weed). I draw the line on that one.

I also get a kick out of the workers who keep the change at the window when you are ordering coffee, assuming you don’t want the 83 cents back and then you have to ASK FOR IT, creating a weird and awkward moment making you look like somewhat of a hole. 

Here’s the deal. I was a waitress for many, many years. It can be a thankless gig. You are required to do your job and HOPE people are decent enough to honor that and thank you with cold hard cash. If for some reason you suck at your job, but try really hard, maybe folks show you grace, if you’re lucky. One thing I’ve learned about this world (the hard way) is that we are owed NOTHING. NO one owes us a thing. We seem to have a whole generation who thinks they deserve whatever… for whatever reason. I just don’t get it… and so, you guys want a tip?  Hers’s a tip.

Quit showing up to work stoned, that is, if you show up at all, because you may call out because you need a “mental health day” (yes… this IS A THING), and smile at people and try not to look like you hate having to work. Then, I’ll consider giving you extra for simply doing your job.

Till next week my friends – Jen

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From Ron:

HELPING THOSE WHO HELPED US

Operation Stand Down RI which helps veterans throughout the state needs your help. Their food pantry for veterans is extremely low (under 10% stocked). Call 401-438-4730 or e-mail Erik Wallin at [email protected].

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IS THIS “GOOD” A-I?

Sir Paul McCartney says A-I got John Lennon’s voice on what he’s calling “the last Beatles record. McCartney says LORD OF THE RINGS director Peter Jackson who in 2021 released an 8-hour documentary called THE BEATLES GET BACK which featured colorized, cleaned up archive footage of the band, was able to “extricate” Lennon’s voice “from a ropey little bit of cassette.” The BBC says it’s expected to be a Lennon song from 1978 called “Now and Then” which McCartney has expressed a desire to “finish.” The song will be released later this year. McCartney says of A-I “there’s a good side to it – and a scary side.”

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GEORGE IS AT MY SIDE (RON)

I hate to fly. When you have a fear of heights and are claustrophobic, it’s a quinella you really don’t want to play. Whenever I do have to fly on a long trip. I pack one of two books… George Carlin’s NEPALM AND SILLY PUTTY or his WHEN WILL JESUS BRING THE PORK CHOPS. I’ve read BOTH so many times they’re worn out with hi-lites all throughout. Somehow laughter calms me down and Carlin’s written material actually can make me laugh out loud. The man was a true comedic genius and I miss him….and Gary Larson’s FAR SIDE cartoons too!

-Ron

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Read all of Ron & Jen’s columns, here: https://rinewstoday.com/ron-jens-great-escape-may-10-2023-ron-st-pierre-and-jen-brien/

Ron St. Pierre is a veteran broadcaster whose career has spanned over four decades. Ron has programmed, performed on and managed WHJJ, WPRO, WWRX, 790 The Score in Providence, as well as WBZT and WKGR in West Palm Beach and WABC in New York City. Ron also anchored sports on WPRI Ch 12 in Providence. He is a member of both the Rhode Island Radio and Television and the City of Pawtucket Halls of Fame. He was born and raised in Pawtucket.

Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

Hazel, Ron’s dog, makes regular appearances.

“Ron and Jen’s Great Escape” podcast, a more lighthearted look at the events happening around us, can be found on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes premiering each Wednesday and listen to Ron and Jen’s Great Escape on NewsRadio 920 and 104-7 FM, Saturday morning, 7am!