The year of gratitude

That young man on the right it's me. About 15th September 1995 I bought myself a one way ticket to London to search for a new life and never looked back.

There, a Brasilian man whom I named my angel (actual name Aelito Neri) helped me look for a job, find a room to rent, get a new life.

When I met Aelito, a few months earlier in my home town while working together in a Pizzeria, he asked me what I wanted to do in life, and my answer was ''I don't know but for sure I want to travel the world''. Then he replied ''why don't you come to London?'' at which initially I thought he was joking but in fact he was really trying to help me.

I did buy that one way ticket and the rest is history.

The man on the left, is Serse Bruni. Serse was the one who employed me at his Italian restaurant called Canaletto, in a small village north of London. Serse was the one who gave me the opportunity to learn how to be a waiter, even though I had no real experience.

Little I knew about fine dining service, and did not speak a word of English, but he gave me the opportunity and, under his leadership, I was able to learn the basic of real hospitality and food & beverage.

But most importantly, Serse taught me that no matter what, one must personally welcome each and every guests and bid farewell to each and every guests. And yes he did.

No matter what he was doing, he would literally stop and run to the door to receive or say goodbye to all of our clients. That to me was real personal service.

He had class, real class, yet funny and could make you at easy in the most awkward situations.

I worked at Canaletto for a year, was able to learn English, hold plates in my hands, do table side service among many other things.

I am grateful to Serse, even though I lost track of him and not sure of his whereabouts.

Thank you Serse, you were truly an amazing teacher.

#gratitude #people #celebration #lessonsinleadership