It is a good rule, a simple rule.
Do not hit on anyone who can not run away screaming. This rule does not just apply to romantic advances. It includes any controversial activity you engage in with someone who is paid to be nice to you.
To Wit: A very nice couple came in today and it was my job to wait on them. The man looked a bit bored, and I asked if he wanted a crayon. He laughed and said “Sure!” So I brought him some crayons and some paper.
He drew a picture. A picture he added to as the meal progressed. A picture of a person standing on one side of a chasm and God standing on the other. Every time I went to his table, he continued the preaching and the preaching and the preaching. He asked me where I saw myself in the picture. I responded “I don’t discuss religion or politics at work, Sir” He ended up leaving me the picture and a God pamphlet.
Look, if it is my job to be nice to you, do not use my entrapment as an opportunity to spew dogma, be it religious, racist or political. If I am not free to tell you to shove it up your ass and suffer no repercussions, you should not feel free to assault me with your crap.
FYI, I was having a very hard time last week. And I thought to myself, if anyone was ever going to pray for me, now would be a good time. Do you know who I asked? Not the woman who is constantly preaching, praying and begging God to help her be nice to her customers. Not the woman who writes “Have a blessed day” on every ticket she gives to her customers. I asked the woman who is good and kind and helpful and is very accepting of others and is generous and genuine in her affections, who is a woman of faith and exceedingly tolerant of other religions or lack thereof.
Here is a tip. Be the person that someone like me, a non-believer, would strive to be more like. Don’t be the annoying, preaching twit who backs people into corners with a paid-for smile, the person who inspires prayer by making the person pray “God, get them OFF me, I’m trying to work”
Just ask yourself, if the person you are talking to is not free to say “Fuck you.” Ask yourself if you should be having that conversation.
He did leave me a nice tip though. He should have, I earned it.