You Shouldn't Eat Bread or Cake

The title of this blog is not something I believe. Rather, it is something that has been told to me, multiple times, by a co-worker. A busser, actually, an older man named Jorge or George, depending on who you're talking to.

Louise's is "known" for their fabulous focaccia, served hot and with dipping sauce with each meal. It is also eaten by me and my co-workers when our stomachs are about to give out on us because we haven't eaten in more hours than we can remember and still have more to go, working. This isn't even necessarily a habit of mine yet, more a desperate measure when the salad I had just before work isn't lasting or I was late and haven't eaten at all.

And probably without all of this stomach-ache/my-current-state-of-life knowledge Jorge/George has taken upon himself to remind me about watching my weight. Possibly it is motivated from watching countless girls come to work at Louise's over the years, enjoy the breads and pastas late at night, and then complain or get upset about gaining weight from their gainful employment. Or maybe Jorge/George already thinks I'm a bit too plump to be seating customers to their tables and is just trying to help me keep my job. Either way, I don't really give a shit and it's still condescending to have this 50+ year old man pat my stomach multiple nights in a row now, saying "You shouldn't eat too much bread or cake."

I got it Jorge/George, thanks. I'm aware that if all I eat is bread and cake, I will probably become a bit more pudgy, not to mention experience malnutrition and end up out of work because I am at home, sick. I'm currently doing the best I can: to eat right in this current chaos that is my life, to often come in at least a half hour before work to enjoy my free salad or meal so that I have enough energy to make it through my shift, and to stay healthy and fit while building a new life for myself in this city you've probably lived in for at least the last 30 years.

Call me crazy maybe, but more than worrying about what bread or cake will do to my gorgeous figure (thank you very much) I'm just trying to survive and stay healthy and make it paycheck to paycheck in this already weight-concerned city they call Los Angeles. You're being no angel, Jorge/George, so no thanks for your concern.

God, I wish I could say that to him in person.