The whole collection · No. 19 of 36

Sartre’s waiter

For anyone who’s ever said ‘it’s my job’.

1943 · Being and Nothingness

Where it comes from

In Being and Nothingness (1943) Jean-Paul Sartre watches a café waiter whose movements are “a little too precise, a little too rapid”. He’s “playing at being a waiter”: hiding his freedom inside a role. Sartre called it bad faith.

How to play it

Wind him up. Then offer him something else.

Pick it up

What it teaches (try it first)

The waiter isn’t lazy or fake. He’s hiding inside a role so he doesn’t have to feel free. “It’s my job” is usually a choice.

Ask yourself. Where do you say “I’ve got no choice” when you have?

Private viewings by appointment

Ring for a curator.

Tell us what’s on your mind, or what you’ve been reading. The first conversation costs nothing, and you don’t need to prepare a thing.

Or write to hello@syntropise.com

A curator will reply to you personally.