Stavvy's World: Bonus #118 - Dan Carney [PATREON PREVIEW]

Release Date: March 6, 2025

In this bonus episode of Stavvy's World, host Stavros Halkias engages in a candid and humorous conversation with his friend Dan Carney. The duo delves into their experiences working at Chick-fil-A in the bustling Times Square, sharing anecdotes that range from mundane janitorial duties to witnessing an extraordinary incident involving the New York Fire Department. This detailed summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key moments, insights, and the subtle humor that Stav and Dan bring to the conversation.

1. Early Days at Chick-fil-A: Janitorial Challenges

The episode kicks off with Dan Carney reminiscing about his initial role at Chick-fil-A in Times Square. He describes the job as predominantly janitorial, emphasizing the physically demanding and less glamorous aspects of his work.

Dan (00:00): "My first job here, I was pretty much like a janitor at Chick Fil A in Times Square. Like, literally, I was mopping floors, cleaning up."

Dan recounts a particularly harrowing experience where he had to clean up after an overdose incident in the restaurant's bathroom, highlighting the unpredictable and sometimes grim realities of the job.

Dan (00:00): "We had a guy overdose in our bathroom. I cleaned up his vomit."

Despite the challenges, Dan reflects on the routine and the high volume of work, mentioning the extensive hours put in weekly.

Dan (00:00): "It was like an INS 40 hours a week."

2. Aspiring for More: Transitioning Roles

As the conversation progresses, Stavros questions whether Dan considered taking on more responsibilities beyond janitorial work, such as frying chicken, to diversify his role.

Stavros (00:17): "Do you think maybe I could fry the chicken?"

Dan admits that these requests were met with resistance from management, who preferred to keep roles compartmentalized.

Dan (00:24): "They're like, hey, let's take it easy."

3. Personal Connections: Relationships within Chick-fil-A

Dan opens up about his personal life, mentioning his relationship with a woman who worked at Chick-fil-A Corporate. This relationship adds a layer of complexity to his experience at the restaurant.

Dan (00:32): "When I first moved here, I hooked up with this girl who worked at Chick Fil A Corporate."

Stavros humorously critiques the dynamics of such relationships, highlighting the juxtaposition between corporate roles and janitorial positions.

Stavros (00:39): "For every hookup is fucking for a janitorial. He's prostituting himself for Ubers, and the fucking privilege to wipe down my bum diarrhea from fucking Chick Fil A."

4. A Day to Remember: The Manhole Explosion Incident

One of the most gripping parts of the conversation centers around an extraordinary event Dan witnessed while on duty. He narrates an incident involving the New York Fire Department that left a lasting impression.

Dan (01:15): "After the lunch rush, I was taking a guy's order when a fire truck associated with the fire department arrived."

Dan describes the firefighters lifting a manhole cover, leading to a sudden and violent explosion emanating from it.

Dan (01:52): "Within seconds, fire exploded from this manhole. The circumference of the manhole, like, 20ft in the air."

The sheer unexpectedness of the event is conveyed through Dan's vivid storytelling, capturing the shock and confusion that both he and the customer experienced.

Stavros (02:09): "He just saw a ghost, right?"

Dan reflects on the surreal nature of the incident and the indifferent reaction of the firefighters, who quickly restored the manhole cover and departed without addressing any concerns.

Dan (03:25): "They put the manhole cover back on and just drove off, dude."

5. Reflections on Employment and Wages

Shifting gears, the conversation turns to the broader topic of employment standards and wages. Dan contrasts his experience at Chick-fil-A with other low-wage jobs, shedding light on the economic disparities faced by workers.

Dan (02:54): "What do you Chick Fil A?"

Stavros (02:55): "Minimum wage? Yeah, it was 15 an hour."

Dan emphasizes that the competitive wages at Chick-fil-A in New York provided him with a better financial standing compared to other regions.

Dan (03:00): "Anywhere else, it would have been so much less."

He also discusses the company’s policies on meal compensation, highlighting both the benefits and limitations.

Dan (03:00): "One meal is 50 off that we couldn't take home with us. We had to eat it there."

6. Post-Employment Encounters and Final Reflections

Towards the end of the episode, Dan shares an interaction with a former colleague after leaving Chick-fil-A. This anecdote underscores the lingering connections formed during his tenure.

Dan (04:04): "A month after I quit, this dude I was friendly with at Chick Fil A asked me for a loan."

Despite Dan’s efforts to distance himself, the request left a memorable, albeit uncomfortable, impression.

Dan (04:30): "Can I get 20 from you?"

The conversation wraps up with both Stavros and Dan reflecting on their enduring affinity for Chick-fil-A’s food, despite the challenges faced during their employment.

Stavros (04:42): "I still eat Chick Fil A."

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Resilience in Adversity: Dan’s experiences underscore the resilience required to handle demanding and often unpleasant jobs, highlighting the human capacity to endure and adapt.

• Economic Realities: The discussion sheds light on the economic disparities faced by workers in different regions, emphasizing the importance of fair wages and labor practices.

• Unexpected Events: The manhole explosion incident serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable challenges that can arise in everyday life, reminding listeners of the fragility and unpredictability of safety.

• Personal Connections: Relationships formed in the workplace can have lasting impacts, influencing both personal and professional aspects of an individual’s life.

• Enduring Bonds with Food: Despite the hardships, both Stavros and Dan express a lasting appreciation for Chick-fil-A’s offerings, illustrating how food can be a source of comfort and continuity amidst change.

Notable Quotes

• Dan Carney (00:00): "I was pretty much like a janitor at Chick Fil A in Times Square. Like, literally, I was mopping floors, cleaning up."

• Stavros Halkias (00:39): "He's prostituting himself for Ubers, and the fucking privilege to wipe down my bum diarrhea from fucking Chick Fil A."

• Dan Carney (01:52): "Within seconds, fire exploded from this manhole. The circumference of the manhole, like, 20ft in the air."

• Stavros Halkias (02:55): "Minimum wage? Yeah, it was 15 an hour."

• Dan Carney (04:30): "Can I get 20 from you?"

This episode of Stavvy's World offers listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of Chick-fil-A employees, blending humor with poignant reflections on work, relationships, and unexpected life events. Stavros and Dan’s engaging storytelling ensures that both regular listeners and newcomers can appreciate the depth and authenticity of their shared experiences.