Bathroom Talk

By LaDonna Richard

My book, Bathroom Talk, is my heart. Being a bathroom attendant for many years, Ive seen and heard things that caught my attention to be of prejudice. The job someone holds shouldnt matter and define who that person isits the character that they display. Numerous times, I was told that I was nothing or nobody just because I worked in the restroom. Who gave them the right to try to make someone feel less just because of their job title? If given a chance, you might have met one of the nicest people in this world. Youll never know why people cross your path, so stop being so judgmental about the next person. Bathroom Talk is to let people see themselves and how they treat others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543465181

LaDonna Richard

Hello, my readers, my name is LaDonna Richard. If theres one thing I firmly believe in, thats to use my God-given talent and to never give up on myself. I was born and raised in the projects on the North Side of Chicago called Cabrini Greens. Thats where my mom embedded in me to be the best person whom I could beno matter what, just do my bestand to treat everyone with respect. These are the things that I incorporate in my everyday living that make me the God-fearing woman I am today.

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by LaDonna Richard.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017917434

ISBN:                  Hardcover                     978-1-5434-6520-4

                            Softcover                       978-1-5434-6519-8

                            eBook                             978-1-5434-6518-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 05/09/2018

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Contents

BATHROOM TALK

CHAPTER 1     IN THE BEGINNING

CHAPTER 2     WALK MY WALK

CHAPTER 3     I CAN’T MAKE THIS UP

CHAPTER 4     ALL EYES ON ME

CHAPTER 5     FOR REAL FOR REAL

CHAPTER 6     THE INDUSTRY

CHAPTER 7     THE WEAKEST LINK

CHAPTER 8     KNOCK IT OFF

THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN ARE DIRECTED AND ESTABLISHED BY THE LORD, WHEN HE DELIGHTS IN HIS WAYS. THOUGH HE FALLS HE SHALL NOT UTTERLY, CAST DOWN FOR THE LORD GRASPS HIS HAND IN SUPPORT AND UPHOLDS HIM.

Never would I have thought that I’d be writing a book. Coming from a background of dysfunctional thinking, I didn’t believe I had what it took to get the job done, especially since my profession was a hairstylist. But once God has placed something in your spirit, it stays there until it comes to pass. He would never ask me to do something if he hadn’t already equipped me with what I needed to get the job done. So with that said, I’ve taken the things I have heard and seen and incorporated it into my book.

I dedicate this book to my three granddaughters, Tamyra, Damari, and Darrionna, who are my diva squad and who has given me the strength to keep on keeping on. I also like to thank my family and friends who have supported me from day one and have encouraged me to complete what I started.

I pray this book open minds and change hearts of people who unmind the restroom attendants. It’s a stereotype that we all are poor people looking for a handout, and that couldn’t be furthest from the truth. We are a group of professional men and women who are there to provide a service, just like the bartender, barbacks, security, etc. We, as a whole, make your experience at the nightclub a happy and pleasant one. Yes, we do have the hardest job in the club and, in your eyes, the lowest, but when you really look at it, you should be glad that we’re there. It’s not the position you hold but the character you display. Valet Restroom Professionals are some of the best people you’ll ever want to meet. We give quality service and would be a great asset to any establishment. So keep an open mind as you read this book.

BATHROOM TALK

It was a warm fall day in October 2003. I was interviewed for the position of bathroom attendant, not knowing what that entailed but excited for the opportunity of future employment, especially after losing my job of three years as a customer service agent at an insurance agency. Having a family to provide for, I was receptive to what it may be. By God’s grace and mercy, I was hired and was to start that next Thursday. The company was small in numbers but had the potential to grow. Looking back on my first day, I was nervous because I hadn’t been in a nightclub in six years. Being a recovering addict, I questioned, Was this the job for me? Praying to God, asking him for the clarification, I was given peace with the decision that I had made. The duties were to maintain a clean and friendly atmosphere while providing condiments to the patrons. That wouldn’t be a problem for me because I love to clean and I have a friendly personality.

Chapter 1

IN THE BEGINNING

My first night at work, I was setting up my kit which we called the different condiments. At the beginning of the night, an Asian woman came in the restroom. I immediately said, Hello, how you doing? while making the gesture of showing her the restroom stall.

She replied, You must be the new girl.

I said, Yes, my name is LaDonna.

While proceeding to use the restroom stall, she said, Nice to meet you. Upon washing her hands, she said, You’ll do good here. But don’t let these bitches take your stuff without tipping you. And then she threw a twenty-dollar bill in my tip jar. I was so delighted to know that people would be tipping like that. What a way to start the night! I quickly handed her a paper towel to dry her hands off, all while saying thank you as she prepared to leave.

Heading toward the door, she said, I’ll see you later.

After she left, I was like, yeah, I’m going to like this job, taking the twenty-dollar bill out of the tip jar, replacing it with five singles.

I was still filled with amazement when the next lady entered the restroom. I spoke and showed her the available restroom stall; she didn’t reply. She used the restroom, washed her hands, and left right out without saying one word. Even she couldn’t disturb my groove. I was still stuck on that twenty dollars.

A few minutes had passed, and another lady came into the restroom, who turned out to be a bartender named Lisa. She pulled out a clear small baggie with some white substances in it.

She immediately said, DON’T JUDGE ME.

Now remember, I was in recovery, so I went right into the serenity prayer, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

She went into the restroom stall while asking me, Do you want some?

I replied, No, thank you. I’m good.

She said, What about a drink?

I said, I’m straight!

She came out of the restroom stall and looked at me and said, "I didn’t use the toilet, so I don’t have to wash