Dish Dog.

At various times in my life I have been a dish dog. It’s a simple job once you learn how to use a commercial dishwashing machine. You can do it anywhere, don’t have to speak the language, and there is a high turn-over rate so it is usually easy to walk in off the street and find a job. 

And while “dish dog” is used derisively by the rest of the restaurant staff, they are lost without you. Walk into a kitchen that just lost their dish dog and you will be welcomed with open arms. 

You’re cleaning up after everybody.

I have been a dish dog in professional kitchens. When I taught at a university music department, my students generally needed lots of remedial work. I was cleaning up after another teacher.

While directing a weeklong music festival the caterer’s dish dog quit at the last minute. I was the director but most importantly, I knew how to run a commercial dish machine. 

At home, we have never owned a dishwasher. We have a joke (at least I think it’s a joke). My wife doesn’t need a dishwasher. She married one. Another little saying we have is “Jan does the cooking. Kevin does the dishes. Kevin does the cooking. Kevin does the dishes.” Go figure.It’s worked for almost 40 years. 

I currently find myself the president of a local chapter of a non-profit conservation organization. The previous iteration of the chapter was closed down by the national organization for some shady financial operations and we’re putting it back to right. I’m president but I’m still the dish dog. Nice work if you can get it.