The final move into my permanent digs was swiftly followed by a new job and a wave of new faces, energies and priorities. Life really can turn on a dime. A phone call or two, an informal interview and suddenly I’m working a Sunday night after-party and getting home and in bed at 6.30am?
I’ve been thinking about getting part-time work for a while. I was worried that having only basic Danish under my belt that I might really struggle to find something as it is the case that the vast majority of businesses here will demand a good handle of the language. It makes sense, but being a fairly tricky language to master, it can mean options are limited for relative newcomers like me.
So how happy was I to find out that a world-class cocktail bar in town was seeking a part-timer. As noted earlier, your network counts for a lot here in this small city and I found myself with accidental links to this place from a variety of angles. RG has long been a peripheral member of the ‘industry’ having nurtured solid friendships amongst its colourful membership in London. Bartenders slash mixologists extraordinaire make up a good percentage of my circle, and are unquestionably some of the hardest working people I know. They also tend to be passionate, personable, imaginative and incredibly fun. Having the opportunity to work alongside these people (as a server, not a bartender which I would need considerable training for) is part serendipity, part miracle and part epiphany.
It’s serendipitous for having skirted the industry for so many years that to finally join the ranks is somewhat appropriate. Miraculous for being the first job opportunity I stumbled across, at a time when I needed it, in an industry that interests me, in a place that is so highly regarded (and beautiful!), and for a decent pay packet. The epiphany comes when discovering in my first week just how much I enjoy working in this environment and how kind of suited to it I am! (So far so good anyway, knock on wood :)
As a result of the above, I have committed myself wholly to this opportunity. It fulfils my love of interaction, making people smile and promoting something done well. It’s been a while since I felt so happy about my job and my focus has been redirected to learning the massive amount of information required to do this job properly. Make no assumptions, there is a lot for me to learn. Along with my Danish studies, which have also intensified for my impending ‘module two’ exams, I have filled my walls with multicoloured post-its listing drink titles, their ingredients and what makes each one unique. This is not simply about a G+T or a rum and coke; it’s about what type of gin, why and what could enhance the drink for the customer. It’s about a high level of customer service tempered with warmth and sincerity over status and ego, which is a lovely (not to mention effective) approach to this type of business.
I had never considered the option in London as the relative pay vs cost of living didn’t really add up for me. The UK is renowned for its low paid service industry, which sees those I do know in the industry work incredibly long hours to get their just rewards. Here, I have found that people tend to do jobs they like, before worrying about what will simply ‘make ends meet’ - mostly because they can. It’s a general observation, but I think it (generally!) holds. Certainly, that’s a big part of what I like about life here.
In short, I love my new job, the people I get to work with, and the way the place is managed. There is a strong team ethos and smiles galore while everyone works incredibly hard, both for the customers and each other. It’s inspirational and is potentially carving a new direction for me. How lucky am I? INCREDIBLY lucky! The added bonus is that they don’t mind that my default language is English and the customers don’t seem to mind either...phew!
So here in my sixth month in Copenhagen, I’ve fallen into a job that is [gasp] compelling to me!! While still fully intending to write, I am invigorated by this new wave of creativity being injected into my life. Cocktail waitress, you say? Really? Well, I see it as a good time ambassador (baby!). It’s about the place and its ideals, which align with my own. For all that, it’s been a pleasure so far, even for its long hours and late nights. It makes me smile.
There’s no question that this affects my quality of life in Copenhagen from here on in. The topsy-turvy hours keep me on my toes, but in a good way. I’ve got a lot to do and it is really hard work, but if it means that I’m putting my energy into something I care about, then there is no debate on whether I should or should not. I love the feeling of knowing that this accidental job actually inspires me. You know what they say: do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life! I gotta say, it feels good!
Random Girl
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