Yeah, a bit past local sunset on a Friday, but I assume some are only observant enough to leave work at 2PM. And that’s why I’m thanking them. I’m mostly from Chicagoland, where the Midwest work ethic kept most of my co-workers in Skokie toiling 'til the gloaming. Now, my customers are all in NJ and the NYC area and everything shuts down on Friday at 1PM–2PM, max. I’m assume that the Orthodox wanted to give enough time to prepare for the Shabbat. Then the Reformed wanted to get in on a good thing. Finally, the goyim said, “The Jews left hours ago. Why are we working like putzes?” And the unofficial rule that nobody works on Friday afternoons was born.
Why am I thanking them? Simple: I sit with a thumb up my butt all Friday afternoon, calling answering machines and Debbie, the new shiksa file clerk. It’s a waste of a perfectly good Friday, so I told my boss I want to start leaving at 3:30 Central, which gives me a chance to reach bar and restaurant owners before the rush and bodega owners–who am I kidding? They’re never there.
“Are you trying to get back to your distant Hebraic roots again?”
Hurt, I said, “I am just trying to save the company money. And get out of here 1-1/4 hours early.”
So, if this works, and for only as long as I’m on this program, thanks, guys!