Sunday Fun - Dinner Table

I've noticed, over my extensive career (Angry Captain rolls eyes), the dinner table at the firehouse tells a lot about the folks working that day.

For example, I can tell you how long you've been on the job based on where in line you are to get your salad. If you're standing back waving others ahead, you have 1-5 years or 20-30 years. Accepting the wave and grabbing yours first gives away that you have 5-10 years of service and just a hint of smugness. If you push ahead and get yours without using a bowl, stuffing it in your mouth, grabbing bread on the way out, you're a Medic and just caught a job.

As we sit down, I can tell your family status by how you prepare to enjoy your meal. Sitting slowly, carefully buttering your bread and pouring a glass of water, you're divorced. No need to hurry along with food, you've always got time. A quick dash of salt, water with one hand and bread with the other, you've got kids, younger ones who always cause trouble. Talking with another guy while ignoring your plate pegs you as a single. Why eat when you can chat, possibly creating a connection?

And the biggest tell tale at the dinner table? I can go to any firehouse in America and sit down at the table and tell you exactly what unit each person is assigned to as the meal progresses. Don't believe me? Try this on your next shift:

The folks grazing their salad, taking slow bites while telling stories, are on the truck. They take their time since they rarely get interrupted and will talk at length about recent fires, rescues etc.

The folks listening to the stories and finishing their salads are assigned to the engine. They need to get a little food in while they can, but are in no real hurry. After all, they got the salad down and can wait on dinner should they get a run.

The empty plates on the other end of the table belong to the medic van crew, still out on a run. If, by some miracle, they were to get a warm meal, they eat like prisoners, hunched over, arms guarding their plates as if someone is going to take their food away. And, more often than not at Medic 99, the voices who know where the sick people are do indeed steal the food.

So there you have it. Sideshow psychology Firehouse style. For all of you Truckmen rolling your eyes and upset I made such a stereotype, the next time you're at the dinner table and the bells ring, do you even stop chewing?