Bonus: Graham Norton on why you should work in a restaurant

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1:05Did it teach you working in a restaurant about life, do you think? Because I think it does. I think it does. When I see young kids coming to work here, and what they're learning, they're learning to be on time, not because they'll get in trouble, but because the curtain goes up at a certain time, and you know you have to be ready. It teaches you to be kind to people you probably don't want to be kind to because they're not being kind to you. It teaches you to, you know, the collaboration that if you don't hoover the carpet, then somebody will sit there and not leave a tip to the waiter. You know, there's all this kind of thing that goes on in a restaurant, and I think it does prepare you.

1:44Do you think it does? I so do. I mean, I think, you know, people say, oh, my son, my daughter can't get a job. I was like, no you can. Go get them, go make coffees in a Pret-a-Manger because they won't be making much money. They might have a law degree or whatever degree, but they'll be learning so much valuable things, so many valuable things, just about how to read something. As they walk up towards the counter, you learn how do I approach this person? Am I very friendly? Am I standoffish? Am I concerned about them? All those tiny little things that are so valuable in any job as you go through life.

2:30I mean, I used to notice a thing in restaurants, and I'm sure you've noticed it too, that there are certain people who are going to have a bad time. Yeah. And I don't know what that is. And part of it is they expect a bad time, but they expect to have that time because they're going to. And they're not imagining it. Their food was bad. We did forget to bring the whatever. It's... Do you know what I mean? I know what you mean and I've also experienced it. I've also experienced a person who comes in and says, you know, I want the best table in the room. And I go, well, you know, Lucy and Freud like that one and my husband like that one.

3:16And we try not to have the best table But yeah, so right away before they come in, there's a problem. Because there is that kind of, as you say, they're walking in prepared to have a tough time. And then they have it. And then they have it. That's the thing I don't understand is that they make it true. The terrible time they think they're going to have, they then have. And that's the thing I baffles me. But you find that when you were doing stand-up or when you were doing the show. No, that's a restaurant thing. No, that's a restaurant thing, I think. You don't think people come to your show expecting to dislike it?

3:51I think when you're just a stand-up on a bill, then people can hate you because there's someone else on after you. But by the time they're buying a ticket to come and see you, they're kind of invested in enjoying it. They've decided they like you enough to buy the ticket. So there is a kind of a contract that we're all here. We're here together. We're all here in a good, hoping to have a good time space, I would say. I feel that as a theater goer, even go to the movies, or it goes anywhere. I sort of think, well, you know what? I go with the idea that what's the worst that can happen? The play could be boring.

4:34The food could be overcooked. And somehow, I guess I'm sort of, then I can get super critical. I'm not. But I do feel the crime committed. yes but i do feel the the it's the horror of hype you know a movie or there even with a restaurant oh yeah we're sort of so hyped no no no oh but it's it's just food yeah exactly but i'm eating it yeah and if it's bad i think you know go for the people on wall street who steal your money or go for the people who commit wars and all this actor is doing is getting up on a stage you know and you know doing something they learned most of it yeah do you eat before a show or after a show uh i mean uh kind of maybe neither oh both yeah that's good in that there's catering before the show yeah there's you know cardboard box or something so i'll shovel that down me yeah and then if i've got friends at the show uh we'll often go out for dinner afterwards so i'll have two dinners.

5:35Yeah, I often ask that of actors, you know, do you eat if there's a matinee, do you have lunch before, do you wait till after? We always, my friends who are actors tend to want me to come and then go out afterwards, you know we go out for dinner. Well you can relax afterwards, but I think you do need something in your belly, you need a bit of fuel Yeah, do you care what you eat? I mean do you just, they bring it to you and then you eat it. It's whatever they're making that day and I will eat it like I'm not a very fussy eater

6:11This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss Fourth of July concert, happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances by major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Fourth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Join this landmark celebration and get your America's Block Party tickets now for$17.76 at America250.org. It's America's 250th, but you deserve some presents too. Simon Malls, Mills, and Premium Outlets have can't-miss sales July 3rd to 5th.

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