Readers of the Tucson Weekly may know me as a guy who writes about food, but in my heart I am still a dishwasher. Today I hover over this keyboard, but for six long years I stood in front of a peristaltic detergent injector and an automated dish machine. I am no more than a suds buster who learned how to write. I never forget that.
I bring this up because I want all the dishwashers out there to know I have not forgotten the solemn oath I made while jet-spraying plates for $4.25 an hour. I will find a way to shed light on our profession, which is the most under-sung in the food industry. I will sing the praises of our toils. I just need to find the right vehicle to give it the proper treatment.
So hold tight my dishwashing brethren while I figure this out. I’m not sure if it will be a website, an online series or a full-length novel, but Tucson will know about the fine men and women who keep this city’s dishes clean. So help me God.
This article appears in Sep 8-14, 2011.
none of your dishwashing brethren can read (or speak) English – FYI
I can’t wait. I hope your Dishwashing Confidential is out soon. Give us the lowdown….
Yes they can. It’s obvious you haven’t busted enough suds to have formed a knowing opinion on this subject, and I forgive ignorance, so you are forgiven.
Adam “Dish Pan Hands” Borowitz
Looking forward to reading it.
I have worked in kitchens all over the city since the early 90’s – I have no ignorance on the subject what-so-ever. Maybe is disneyland chains they can, but no where that I have worked.
That’s funny, because I’ve worked in kitchens all over the country, and on ships in the Navy, and almost everybody spoke English. Dishwashing is a broad field my friend, and insinuating that the entire profession is populated by non-English speaking people is ignorant. Period. Perhaps they weren’t speaking English because they didn’t want you to know what, or who, they were talking about. Hmmm …
HAHA yeah thats it I’m sure. Here in Tucson, I would venture a bet that at least 85-90% do not speak English or very little. You call the stakes.
Oh,now we’re hedging are we? First it’s none of them speak English, now we’re down to 85 percent and they speak very little English instead of none at all. You’re slipping Burnie Mak. Frankly, I could care less if they speak in tongues, their stories are important and I will tell them. By the way, I washed dishes in Tucson and I speak English.
Outstanding Tucson Weekly/Adam, having busted suds myself as a youngin & restaurateur we’ll ignore the cynics as we know they/me/us don’t speak English but American. A friend from England made that distinction once upon a time. However, I admire you for sharing/hence luring out the ‘Haters’ sadly, who have nothing to add, uplift, acknowledge but sound bites of self bitterness. Wwjd?
So no bet Adam? hahaa
Sorry you took my comment so literally and that it offended you. I meant neither, but rather was making a comment in jest with regards to my restaurant working experience. This is something I do in almost every comment I leave, as I do not take life so seriously, especially not blog life.
I will now and forever pray for forgiveness before the almighty English speaking dishwashers as I have insulted thy profit.
It’s “prophet” Burnie Mak. See? English is harder than it looks.
LOL touché!
I hate when I spew malapropisms within a debate. It is so George W. of me.