Nov 11 2008
The Elephant in the room! discuss…Or not!!!
This is one of my favorites, not because of what it means , but because of the imagery. I love the thought of an elephant just “kicken it” in the parlor with a couple of people. The meaning on the other hand is disturbing to me, although I have often found myself in just this situation.
I try to discuss any problem I have with someone as soon as I can. I don’t like to let it fester long, I find I get way to worked up if I do, and end up hurting the feelings of of the second party even more than if I just nip it in the bud early. Some of my friends find this trait a bit off putting though. I try to get our differences out in the open and have a dialog before they turn into the so called elephant. I find this to lessen the harshness of the conversation, and allow us to move on more quickly.
It is essential in the working kitchen, you can’t have a problem that isn’t being rectified while you are trying to feed 100 people or more. Chefs are to hot headed as it is, so the longer a disagreement goes the more likely they are to go to blows! A kitchen is dangerous enough without a full on brawl breaking out in the middle of service! No one wins in that situation!
There is a great visual of this Idiom on this site, Please check it out! I wish I had known about this show while it was up I would have loved to see it in person!
The thing I find Thankful about this is my ability to diffuse a situation before it gets to the point of being uncomfortable ( most of the time anyway )!
Tomorrow I want to give an example of a time I just couldn’t shake it though! It wasn’t an elephant in a room as much as a 800 pound gorilla on my back!
Please tune in tomorrow for James Vs. the gorilla!
Sorry I have to cut it short today, but I have a date with an old friend… and I’m late already!
James



