Lunchmeat & Life Lessons Ch: 4

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the main issue with Jerome's work attendance?

He was pursuing additional job opportunities.

He often had family emergencies.

He had multiple health problems that caused absences.

He consistently failed to show up for work. (correct)

How did the speaker handle the situation with Jerome regarding his frequent absences?

He confronted him about the lies.

He ignored the problem until it escalated.

He thanked him for his honesty and expressed concern. (correct)

He immediately fired him.

What does the term 'comeback sauce' symbolize in the narrative?

A way to get attention in the workplace.

A method of delivering bad news gently. (correct)

An excuse for poor work performance.

An approach to making friends at work.

What advice did the speaker's father give regarding being effective at work?

Keep attention on one's own work. Signup and view all the answers

What realization did the speaker come to after speaking with Jerome?

Honesty can build better workplace relationships. Signup and view all the answers

According to the father's wisdom, what are the three types of people?

Those who wish something to happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened. Signup and view all the answers

What did the speaker's father mean by 'keeping your blinders on'?

Focusing on current responsibilities without distraction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase 'You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy' in the context of the event described?

It suggests that people can change their surroundings but retain their roots. Signup and view all the answers

How did the narrator feel about her father's planned visit to her office?

Nervous yet proud. Signup and view all the answers

What attire did the father wear when he arrived at the office?

A crisp white shirt, bolo tie, and straw hat. Signup and view all the answers

What type of establishment did the narrator and her father dine at for lunch?

A German deli. Signup and view all the answers

How did the men behind the counter at the deli react to the father?

They greeted him by name. Signup and view all the answers

What sentiment did the father express during their meal?

Pride in his daughter's professional success. Signup and view all the answers

What does the description of the Country Club Plaza convey about the narrator's work environment?

It is an upscale, affluent district. Signup and view all the answers

What impression did the daughter have about her father’s visit to her office?

She believed he would be out of place. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

"The Lunch Date" and "You Can Take the Boy Out of the Country, but You Can't Take the Country Out of the Boy"

The author's father, a butcher, visits her at her office in a swanky part of Kansas City.
The author feels a need to prepare her colleagues for her father's visit, being unsure of his attire.
The father arrives dressed in a crisp white shirt, bolo tie, and straw hat, making the author proud.
The author takes her father to a German deli, where he is recognized by the staff, and she observes his principles in action.
The author mentions a workplace issue about an employee, Jerome, who frequently calls in sick due to his "grandmother dying."
The author acknowledges that Jerome’s excuses are likely false, but avoids accusing him, always expressing sympathy for his loss.
Eventually, the author needs to confront Jerome about his frequent absences and decides it’s time for him to seek employment with more flexibility.
Despite letting him go, the author ensures Jerome receives a "dose of comeback sauce" because the employee was good when he was committed.
The author's father advises her to remain focused on the task at hand and avoid distractions, emphasizing the importance of hard work.
The author's father shares a proverb about three types of people: those who want something to happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.
The father encourages the author to be a "person who makes something happen" and be proud of her work ethic.
The father reminds the author to be on time, setting a good example, and reveals he has a truckload of hides parked in front of a nearby department store, which may be starting to smell.
The author expresses her pride in being the "Butcher’s Daughter" despite being in a different environment.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the themes of familial relationships and workplace dynamics in 'The Lunch Date' and 'You Can Take the Boy Out of the Country...'. This quiz delves into the author's experiences with her father's visit and the complexities of handling a colleague's behavior at work. Test your understanding of these narratives and their underlying lessons.