Hi All,

I don't mind posting these...cuz I know there is a delete button...or ignore...or just move on to the next topic...hee-hee....

27 years ago...just when I started my ch career, I also continued a career in a seafood processing plant. The "fresh" product foreman (and universally regarded with the highest respect) was a tiny Phillopino named Jessie. I'm 6'3", he is 5'2'...yet he looked at me like I was dog poop on the bottom of his shoe.

Don't know about you, but that bothered me and I worked my ass off to prove myself to him and the rest of the crew (who thought the same). Through diligence, perseverance, keeping my damn mouth shut, and never being unavailable...I did it. One day...he looked up at me and said..."damn, you are one big SOB!"...it was all I needed, because it meant I was accepted. Maybe a guy thing, but when they acknowledge you...it means everything. We were fine after that.

15 years later, I became Asst Prod Mgr (and occasional Prod Mgr) to the same Jessie, while at the same time being the Co QA Mgr (conflict of interest, you bet, but small company... so necessary and we were equals).

It was never a problem (I got what I wanted re QA, period)...but for processing, he had the street smarts...and I had the book smarts...a great combo...we remain buddies to this day.

Now, most of the crew was Phillopino (and actually mostly his relatives...Island country doncha know)...
and this is actually the point of the story. He would come out of the office and make a series of hand gestures and body movements...and the crew would just do exactly what was needed. I would look at him and say...what did you  just say????? He'd wink, smile, nod, and go back into the office. TOTALLY incomprehensible. Oh my...he would only say, "I told 'em what needed to be done..."

Since I wasn't getting it out of him...I went to the crew and asked...what did he just say? They looked at me like the obvious moron I was and said...well....he said: "run THIS lot, I want Jim and Cuong to grade it, grade it 3 ways, double dip it, put it in totes, double liners, net weight pack, don't forget to pull out the #3's, you got 2 hours, and when you finished you can go home".....unbelievable, incomprehensible...but true.

I never figured out the code...but it was a marvel to behold...a master at his work.

Would love to hear your stories of a colleague who has "got it"...

Best,

Jon

I liked that story Jon... and yes poor Chuck is SOOO old he can't remember what story happened yesterday....

My assistant and I worked together so long (after I started my CH career - I love the way you phrased that one) that when I'd "lose" a word, she'd supply it (like an uppity kid she was ). This went on for years and everyone just thought she was a smart ass - never did catch on that she was "helping" me out.

But the funny thing was we got where we didn't finish sentences around each other. I'd start a sentence, stop in the middle of it and she'd just walk out and go on about her business. It drove everyone crazy. She'd do the same to me and for a long time we didn't even realize we were doing it. Finally another employee screamed at us that we were crazy and didn't make a bit of sense. After that we did it for meaness just to drive everyone nutz... Chuck would have loved her - she referred to me as "Miz Daisy".

Hugs BD

monty wrote on Sep 9^th, 2009 at 11:38am:


Now that's an opening you could drive a truck through ...but, not gun duit...

Actually, he used every ounce of his skinny little ass (it was like a dance and I would watch for it and follow...TRYING to learn this...alas, I got no rhythm). In fact, his nickname is "Flacco (skinny)"...so named by a 250 lb Chicano coworker...and a perfect fit!