When I was working at Conoco Taiwan (1975–76), the staff would go out regularly to eat at restaurants as a group, often numbering ten or even 12. We’d have a lazy Susan* on the table, so that everyone would be able to reach all the dishes.
On one occasion, my boss, the Chief Geologist Dr. Page, came along, so we ordered a whole Chinese roast duck. It came with all the slices laid out in the middle of the platter, and the head, wings, and parson’s nose in the same respective positions as on the real bird. One of my colleagues twirled the lazy Susan and everyone waited until it came to a halt, then the rest of them laughed at the person the head of the duck was facing.
It was explained to Dr. Page and me, the two outsiders, that if an employer wanted to remove a particular employee, he’d instruct the waiter to serve the duck dish with the head pointing at the person about to be sacked.
My immediate thought was I hoped the duck dish would come last, so that at least the poor person could eat his/her meal in blissful ignorance of his/her impending fate.
(Taiwan, 1975)
* lazy Susan: “a revolving stand or tray on a table, used esp. for holding condiments.”
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