![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
FIRED-- for what?!
March 14th, 2008 (10:41 pm)
current mood: annoyed
current mood: annoyed
A few weeks ago, I would have been spending my Thursday and Saturday nights getting ready for and performing at Mediterranean Hookah Lounge, in Madison WI. However, a week ago, my former dance teacher and mentor Mona N'Wal, who organizes the dancers at Mediterranean Hookah, informed me that I was taken out of the rotation of dancers there (after dancing there for over a year) because the owner Tommy had suggested it.
I was surprised to hear that Tommy had requested that I was removed from the lineup, but I had always known that he and I didn't click. However, I'd never known exactly why, and I just figured that as long as I was professional, on time, and a good performer, our lack of a friendship wasn't an issue.
Nothing could have prepared me for the reason that Mona told me that Tommy had told her. Mona said that Tommy said that he just "needed a break from me." The reason for which being that I am "too professional, too business-like, too ambitious, and not friendly enough to him (he was referring to himself, not customers)." He told Mona that he thought that I was "doing the gig for money, and not for fun."
Mona reassured me that after getting some "time away" from me, I might be able to approach Tommy to reconcile things. She said that he has "let go of" employees in the past, only to rehire them after a period of time and a meeting.
I was so astonished at Tommy's acusations that I nearly started laughing when Mona told me this. However, I maintained my professionalism during the meeting and kept my composure, but inwardly, I thought " 'Too professional'?! 'Too ambitious'?!!! I PRIDE myself on being those things!" I NEVER thought that they would be the reason that I was let go from a job. I always thought that those qualities were what GOT me jobs in the first place.
As far as his other complaints, I never had been told that a part of the job was smoozing and flirting with the owner (who is gay, so I have no clue why he'd want that anyway!). I have always been really polite to Tommy, but I have never extended our relationship into friendship. I just don't think that's very...professional. I also always put on a genuine smile when I'm dancing -- I LOVE dancing and performing. Even when there's only a few people in the audience, I always gave it my 100%. However, when the show's over, I don't continue to be "Ayperi" off stage. Then, I'm just me - probably tired after working in a school all day and anticipating getting up early to do it again tomorrow. After my dance performance, I ask to be paid (as soon as someone is available to do so), and then I leave. I never hung around Mediterranean Hookah to chat Tommy up, but I was under the impression that that was OK.
I was also under the impression that dancers and women could work FOR money. Cold, hard cash is a very real reason to accept a gig, especially when you're making your living off of dancing. I disagree with Tommy that there's anything wrong with that.
I am a woman, and a dancer, I am professional and ambitious, and I expect payment at the end of the gig. Is that so much to ask?
I was surprised to hear that Tommy had requested that I was removed from the lineup, but I had always known that he and I didn't click. However, I'd never known exactly why, and I just figured that as long as I was professional, on time, and a good performer, our lack of a friendship wasn't an issue.
Nothing could have prepared me for the reason that Mona told me that Tommy had told her. Mona said that Tommy said that he just "needed a break from me." The reason for which being that I am "too professional, too business-like, too ambitious, and not friendly enough to him (he was referring to himself, not customers)." He told Mona that he thought that I was "doing the gig for money, and not for fun."
Mona reassured me that after getting some "time away" from me, I might be able to approach Tommy to reconcile things. She said that he has "let go of" employees in the past, only to rehire them after a period of time and a meeting.
I was so astonished at Tommy's acusations that I nearly started laughing when Mona told me this. However, I maintained my professionalism during the meeting and kept my composure, but inwardly, I thought " 'Too professional'?! 'Too ambitious'?!!! I PRIDE myself on being those things!" I NEVER thought that they would be the reason that I was let go from a job. I always thought that those qualities were what GOT me jobs in the first place.
As far as his other complaints, I never had been told that a part of the job was smoozing and flirting with the owner (who is gay, so I have no clue why he'd want that anyway!). I have always been really polite to Tommy, but I have never extended our relationship into friendship. I just don't think that's very...professional. I also always put on a genuine smile when I'm dancing -- I LOVE dancing and performing. Even when there's only a few people in the audience, I always gave it my 100%. However, when the show's over, I don't continue to be "Ayperi" off stage. Then, I'm just me - probably tired after working in a school all day and anticipating getting up early to do it again tomorrow. After my dance performance, I ask to be paid (as soon as someone is available to do so), and then I leave. I never hung around Mediterranean Hookah to chat Tommy up, but I was under the impression that that was OK.
I was also under the impression that dancers and women could work FOR money. Cold, hard cash is a very real reason to accept a gig, especially when you're making your living off of dancing. I disagree with Tommy that there's anything wrong with that.
I am a woman, and a dancer, I am professional and ambitious, and I expect payment at the end of the gig. Is that so much to ask?
