Quote by George Orwell, Down and Out in P

The thing that would astonish anyone coming for the first time into the service quarters of a hotel would be the fearful noise and disorder during rush hours. It is something so different from the steady work in a shop or a factory that it looks at first sight like mere bad management. But it is really quite unavoidable...by its nature it comes in rushes and cannot be economized. You cannot, for instance, grill a steak two hours before it is wanted; you have to wait till the last moment, by which time a mass of other work has accumulated, and then to do it all together, in frantic haste. The result is that at meal-times everyone is doing two men's work, which is impossible without noise and quarreling. Indeed the quarrels are a necessary part of the process, for the pace would never be kept up if everyone did not accuse everyone else of idling. It was for this reason that during rush hours the whole staff cursed like demons.

Summary

In this quote, the author explains the chaotic atmosphere that can be observed in the service quarters of a hotel during peak hours. While the noise and disorder may seem like a result of poor management, the author asserts that it is actually unavoidable due to the nature of the work. Unlike steady work in a shop or factory, the demand for food service comes in rushes and cannot be planned in advance. As a result, tasks accumulate, causing employees to frantically rush and do the work of two people. The noise, quarrels, and cursing among staff members are seen as inevitable consequences of the fast-paced environment that ensures the necessary pace is maintained.