yeah, but how does he get on with the wait staff?

this weekend, i hit esperanza with my bit about judging prospective suitors by their interactions with hardworking folks in service positions.

as an ex-busboy / dishwasher / cook / server, i suggested she watch her friends closely as they interact with, say, the wait staff at panino's. in my view, if someone who acts nice to you acts like a high-maintenance jerk in a restaurant, then it won't be long before s/he starts acting like a high-maintenance jerk with you.

that's when it hit me: i bet you can learn a lot about the research luminaries in our discipline by observing how they treat the undergrads paying their ginormous salaries. at the very least, you might pick up something not mentioned on their cv. so, i had some fun at ratemyprofessors tonight looking up my favorite scholars and departments. the sample size is small and few of the luminaries are actually teaching undergrads, but the student comments are instructive. it was especially fun to see former advisees kicking butt in the classroom as well as the journals. sorta made my night.