TooJay's Today

[rockyisle]

Wondering what is up with TooJay's today. We arrived for a late breakfast around 10 this morning - no one in line.. but no hostess. We waited 5 minutes for her to reappear. She apologized and said she had to have a bathroom break, but that someone else was supposed to watch and cover for her while she was gone. Totally understandable. She was very apologetic - seated us with menus.
We knew what we wanted, so put them at the side of the table in plain sight. We waited and waited and waited for a wait person to appear. Guess we were seated in the black hole. There was a party of 4 on the side of us with drinks, so we knew they had been waited on.
We waited more - then I decided to time it to see just how long we would have to wait from that point on. 4 minutes later, I said - we are out of here...
We stopped back at the podium to let her know that we had waited more than 10 minutes for someone - anyone - to ask for our order... She was once again apologetic. but seriously???
I know I'm retired and I'm not punching a clock, but I'm not going to wait my life away for breakfast. We stopped at Panera and got almost exactly what we would have ordered at TooJay's without a hassle.
I'm writing this in hope that someone from TooJay's bothers to read these posts. They were in total dysfunction this morning... and it's not even high season...

[karostay]

Show Them by not going there ever again if 5 minutes is an inconvenience that you have to post here simply don go

[rockyisle]

You may have missed my point... I wasn't upset to wait to be seated. I was not happy that there wasn't a server anywhere in our are for 10 minutes. and there was only one other party of 4 on the other side of us...
Where in my post was the phrase "5 minutes"??? Reading and comprehension are fundamental... If you don't get the point, why bother to reply?

[jblum315]

I love TooJays but they have always had a problem with (I guess) not enough wait staff. Seems like waiter is someone you wait for.

[zcaveman]

Which TooJays are we talking about -SS or LSL?

Z

[rubicon]

I am not being smart here nor do wish to appear uncaring but if a 10 minute wait bothers you now your going to be furious by January.

with cold weather moving in quickly up north the southern migration will be in full force starting now

[janmcn]

As the economy hopefully improves, more and more restaurants and stores are going to have staffing problems. Who would want all the grief these workers receive for minimum pay and no benefits?

[BarryRX]

While I love the food at Toojays in LSL, I have stopped going there for breakfast after golf because of the long wait once we're seated. We did stop at Toojays in SS the other day, and were seated very quickly and served very quickly. I don't know if we just hit it at the right time, but it worked out well. This morning we played at Belmont and we headed to Bob Evans on 466 around 9:45am. They usually do a great job, but this time it took much longer than usual to be taken care of. My theory is that the crowds are picking up much earlier this year and not everyone may be prepared for it. Of course it could also be something as simple as a waitperson getting ill and having to go home. Patience will be the key for the next 6 months.

[raynan]

I agree with you, rockyisle. We have a regular golf group that would go to TooJays every Monday morning for breakfast between 9&10am and for 3 years it was great. Then when the birds left this past April/May something seriously changed. Long waits to be seated (with no line). Long waits to be served. We liked gabbing with our neighbors so that wasn't too big a deal. BUT when we would get our coffee and finally place the order it was a 30-40 min wait for breakfast from the kitchen with the poor servers apologizing profusely. Orders would be wrong to boot or some meals stone cold. We put up with it for a couple of months because we felt bad for the servers thinking they're covering a larger area with fewer servers because its off-season. One by one our couples started dropping out on going to breakfast so we changed to Amelias or Bonifay depending on where we golf. It's a shame but definitely a mgt problem at TooJays in the morning.

[rockyisle]

Thanks Raynan for the affirmation.. Believe me, I'm a very patient woman - but I also know when to fold em'.... We were at LSL... Something is seriously wrong there... We love TooJay's and hope they figure it out... My mouth was watering for their potato skins stuffed with scrambled eggs.. Not to be.. I saved a ton of calories...
I'm very well aware of snow birds and in-season issues... which is why we stick to home cooking during the winter months...

[redwitch]

rocky, you have my sympathies. I think it is one of the most frustrating things waiting for someone to help you -- whether in a restaurant, a store, wherever. As you said, the hostess not being there was understandable; that no one even stopped at your table to get your drink order is inexcusable. I love TooJay's but the service has pretty much always been on the sad side. I've actually had to stop servers to get something my server had forgotten. They need to train their staff (I don't think it is a shortage, just a lack of knowing how to do their job well).

[ivanhoe]

COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE. We were at TwoJay's LSL today (10-19) at 9:40. Cart parking right in front. 30 sec wait on hostess. No wait on server. Breakfast as consistent as last week and the week before.

You caught a "dead" zone or bad server.

I'm sorry to have to disagree with your report however it does not jive with our experiences which also includes dinner usually on Sundays @ 5:30-6:00 pm.

[ilovetv]

COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE. We were at TwoJay's LSL today (10-19) at 9:40. Cart parking right in front. 30 sec wait on hostess. No wait on server. Breakfast as consistent as last week and the week before.

You caught a "dead" zone or bad server.

I'm sorry to have to disagree with your report however it does not jive with our experiences which also includes dinner usually on Sundays @ 5:30-6:00 pm.

Why negate what the o.p. reported? So you were waited on promptly. The o.p. was not!!

As for "you caught a "dead" zone or bad server", there should not BE a dead zone or bad server, and nobody should seat a customer in it if there is one!

[AngelPlus]

...

[karostay]

Patrons that can't wait 5 minutes to be seated must be a real trip to serve

[Happinow]

If a patron has to wait, with nobody around for 5 minutes that's bad business. If someone came to the podium and told them it would be a wait then that's understandable. We like to sit outside when we eat at a restaurant but at Too Jays we don't because we always feel forgotten. We rarely see our server so now we sit inside. Haven't experienced poor service there inside yet but haven't gone there in a few weeks. We shall see.....

[Bogie Shooter]

Wondering what is up with TooJay's today. We arrived for a late breakfast around 10 this morning - no one in line.. but no hostess. We waited 5 minutes for her to reappear. She apologized and said she had to have a bathroom break, but that someone else was supposed to watch and cover for her while she was gone. Totally understandable. She was very apologetic - seated us with menus.
We knew what we wanted, so put them at the side of the table in plain sight. We waited and waited and waited for a wait person to appear. Guess we were seated in the black hole. There was a party of 4 on the side of us with drinks, so we knew they had been waited on.
We waited more - then I decided to time it to see just how long we would have to wait from that point on. 4 minutes later, I said - we are out of here...
We stopped back at the podium to let her know that we had waited more than 10 minutes for someone - anyone - to ask for our order... She was once again apologetic. but seriously???
I know I'm retired and I'm not punching a clock, but I'm not going to wait my life away for breakfast. We stopped at Panera and got almost exactly what we would have ordered at TooJay's without a hassle.
I'm writing this in hope that someone from TooJay's bothers to read these posts. They were in total dysfunction this morning... and it's not even high season...

You were there..................why didn't you speak with the manager?
You are hoping someone from TooJay's will read your post? Really????

[NotGolfer]

Perhaps a chat with the manager is in order "if" things aren't up to par (no pun intended) with your waits.

[Barefoot]

We waited more - then I decided to time it to see just how long we would have to wait from that point on. 4 minutes later, I said - we are out of here...
We stopped back at the podium to let her know that we had waited more than 10 minutes for someone - anyone - to ask for our order... She was once again apologetic. but seriously?

We've waited many times for ten or fifteen minutes to place an order. In a busy restaurant, I think that wait time is reasonable.

[missypie]

[QUOTE=Barefoot;765472]We've waited many times for ten or fifteen minutes to place an order. In a busy restaurant, I think that wait time is reasonable.[/QUOT

Still. when customers are seated, it is very important for the server to acknowledge the customers. A little chit chat, water and I'll be back for your order are all good ways to begin the serving process.

[billethkid]

9 out of 10 times TooJays is always right on the ball for service and the food is ALWAYS good.

There are not so good times to go to many restaurants!

If one does not complain to the management at the time of the incident then one is not doing a service to the establishment or fellow customers. There is no excuse to not bring the displeasure to the managements attention.

btk

[SALYBOW]

Truthfully, I have never gotten anything but mediocre to slow service at TooJays. Often times the food taKES 30 MINS AND THEN IT IS WRONG. i HAVE GIVEN UP ON THEM, there ARE TOO MANY RESTAURANTS TH DO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SERVICE TO LOSE SLEEP OVER THEM. Their Jewish fare does not compare with that with which I was acquainted in Cincinnati.

[l2ridehd]

Remember the ice cream. :D

[ivanhoe]

Why negate what the o.p. reported? So you were waited on promptly. The o.p. was not!!

As for "you caught a "dead" zone or bad server", there should not BE a dead zone or bad server, and nobody should seat a customer in it if there is one!

Why negate what the o.p. reported?

Good Heaven's...it's called the search for the truth!

[graciegirl]

"Good Heaven's...it's called the search for the truth! "

The Scientific Method in The Villages.

Define the problem.

Gather facts on the problem.

Come to a trial conclusion.

Check the trial conclusion.

Come to a final conclusion.

Report it on TOTV and debate it.:1rotfl:

[DougB]

I would rather wait 30 minutes at a table for service than stand outside the restaurant when there are several tables and no one sitting at them the whole time.

[ilovetv]

Why negate what the o.p. reported?

Good Heaven's...it's called the search for the truth!

The o.p. was telling the truth as far as we know. No need to make it look like their situation could not possibly have happened.

[Bogie Shooter]

Fair and balanced.......................................... .....

[Golfingnut]

Duplicate

[Golfingnut]

We have gone a few times, and don,t recall any bad service, however we never found the food to be satisfactory when compared to other breakfast places. As far as finding the truth, I have no reason to believe the OP was a not reporting there experience accurately; therefore, I trust what was said is THE TRUTH.

[justjim]

Fair and balanced.......................................... .....

Bogie, you have a good sense of humor. :1rotfl:

OP implied that the restaurant was not busy. No hostess on duty and a wait for Server for MORE than 10 minutes---I too would be frustrated. I would ask to see the manager on duty.

True, this could be a lot of "things". Toojay's never been one of my favorites for breakfast but do like their lunches and service has been just okay.

[Sage327]

Why negate what the o.p. reported? So you were waited on promptly. The o.p. was not!!

As for "you caught a "dead" zone or bad server", there should not BE a dead zone or bad server, and nobody should seat a customer in it if there is one!
I was in Too Jays the same morning between 9:30 and 10 am and I had no problem with the service. Just wondering what could have happened to cause such delays for OP. Unfortunately, there are bad servers in Paradise.

[ivanhoe]

The o.p. was telling the truth as far as we know. No need to make it look like their situation could not possibly have happened.

The op was telling the truth as far as you know and so am I, as far as you know.
That's no reason for me not to post my experiences.

The event of the op was an anomaly or mine was...the posts here will determine.

To the op: it was never my intention to insinuate that you were untruthful in your post.

[CFrance]

I see nothing wrong with recounting your own experiences with a place that others have had a problem with. I don't think it means that you think the OP was not telling the truth; I think it provides an average assessment across the board.

We have been to Toojays many times--once with the TOTV-inspired liver & onion group--and have had prompt, good service. But mostly we go for lunch, and never in the high season, so mine is just one account. However, it is not high season now when the OP had a problem. So I don't know..

We really like their food. One of the best restos in TV.

[raynan]

Ivanho,
You're probably both right. Maybe different crew & manager on the weekends than on weekdays. Like I said, we consistently had poor service since April on Monday mornings.

[gatherer47]

Was there the other day.After taking our order the waitress said the kitchen was backed up and we may a longer wait than usual.It took thirty five minutes for our breakfast to arrive.Since I had the paper to read and was in no hurry,I didn't mind but the last ten minutes of waiting I got a little antsy.The place was probably three fourths full but thirty five minutes seems a little long for an ordinary pancake breakfast.The waitress did keep refilling our cofffee.

[MoeVonB61]

WOW!! These threads AMAZE me...I have about 17 years to go before retirement and live and work in the Villages.....a 10 minute wait for a retired person seems SO TRIVIAL in the scheme of things..Toojay's is a fantastic restaurant and there's not another like it..............I will quote justjim's famous quote by Abraham Lincoln:
"Most people are as happy as they make up their mind to be"

[ilovetv]

WOW!! These threads AMAZE me...I have about 17 years to go before retirement and live and work in the Villages.....a 10 minute wait for a retired person seems SO TRIVIAL in the scheme of things in this world!!!!!!

Your concept of "retired" amazes many of us. We're not just sitting in the rocker, sucking our thumb and filling Depends. We worked 40-50 years to finally have the freedom to do other productive things we enjoy, like a volunteer job with hospice, or the hospital, or the animal rescue that all run on schedules; a job as a golf ambassador (ranger); a retail job at the squares or other place in TV; and tee times and lunch/dinner dates, medical appointments, auto service appointments, or classes at the recreation centers, Lifelong Learning College, etc. which all run on schedules.

To me, it's not the 10-minute wait so much as it's the apathetic, disorganized, slow-minded, or maybe lazy workers that are reportedly dragging down a good business that people line up to patronize.

Many of us owned/managed our own businesses or managed them and employees for others, and we realize how a customer ought to be treated. The customer shouldn't have to hunt down an employee to tell them to do their job.

[Peachie]

WOW!! These threads AMAZE me...I have about 17 years to go before retirement and live and work in the Villages.....a 10 minute wait for a retired person seems SO TRIVIAL in the scheme of things in this world!!!!!!

Maybe I can give some insight into your generalization. We had 5 guests the first and second week of April this year. We went for dinner one night to Toojay's in LSL. We arrived at 4:30 PM, weren't seated until 10 minutes later even though we were the only people in line and most of the seating was open. We didn't mind since we had never had that problem before. We waited another 10 minutes at the table for the waitress to come and take our beverage order and she indicated she would take our food offer after she provided our beverages.

Long story short, we left after waiting another 20 minutes for just our beverages... no fuss, just up and left and no one noticed.

The problem for us was that we had a diabetic person in the group and she was getting quite nervous because she had timed her insulin shot to eat within a reasonable time of leaving home. We're not all just impatient retirees, some of us have medical issues.

We like Toojay's and have eaten there quite often and will again but won't take company to the restaurant in LSL anymore. We do take them to SS and have never had a problem there. I'm sure LSL won't miss us, there are plenty of others to fill our seats. All is good.

[Indydealmaker]

Wondering what is up with TooJay's today. We arrived for a late breakfast around 10 this morning - no one in line.. but no hostess. We waited 5 minutes for her to reappear. She apologized and said she had to have a bathroom break, but that someone else was supposed to watch and cover for her while she was gone. Totally understandable. She was very apologetic - seated us with menus.
We knew what we wanted, so put them at the side of the table in plain sight. We waited and waited and waited for a wait person to appear. Guess we were seated in the black hole. There was a party of 4 on the side of us with drinks, so we knew they had been waited on.
We waited more - then I decided to time it to see just how long we would have to wait from that point on. 4 minutes later, I said - we are out of here...
We stopped back at the podium to let her know that we had waited more than 10 minutes for someone - anyone - to ask for our order... She was once again apologetic. but seriously???
I know I'm retired and I'm not punching a clock, but I'm not going to wait my life away for breakfast. We stopped at Panera and got almost exactly what we would have ordered at TooJay's without a hassle.
I'm writing this in hope that someone from TooJay's bothers to read these posts. They were in total dysfunction this morning... and it's not even high season...

I had an opportunity to talk with the manager, Bill, yesterday. I mentioned your post and he looked into your problem and verified the experience that you had. He would like for you to give him a call so that he can "make it right". Give Bill a call at 352-430-0415 Tell him about your post.

[Bogie Shooter]

Isn't it amazing how a problem can many times be fixed by just talking to a manager?
Posting on TOTV and hoping someone will read the post is a waste of time and a black mark against the restaurant.

[Peachie]

Isn't it amazing how a problem can many times be fixed by just talking to a manager?
Posting on TOTV and hoping someone will read the post is a waste of time and a black mark against the restaurant.

Bogie, there's a problem, (in my view), with this premise. Why should we be managing the restaurant if there is a manager on duty? Why isn't he or she out managing the floor and if you review Indy's remark... he said he had "the opportunity" to speak with the manager. The gal in our group that needed to eat soon, we weren't about to start looking for a manager and waste more time.

The late afternoon in which we had the poor service in Toojay's was after Easter and slow season had started. There probably weren't more than 12 patrons in the restaurant when our group arrived and a good manager would have noticed the poor service easily.

Some people like to spend time looking for the manager and filing complaints, some of us don't like doing his job. The OP shared his experience and we shared ours.

If one is of the volition that running to managers with complaints enhances their dining experience, they won't be deterred from eating anywhere. They can then ignore the OP's experience. :icon_hungry: Bon Appetit wherever you eat!

[BobAllen1290]

I am not being smart here nor do wish to appear uncaring but if a 10 minute wait bothers you now your going to be furious by January.

with cold weather moving in quickly up north the southern migration will be in full force starting now
I find this rather interesting. Both my wife and I are still working full-time here. If we go to a sit-down restaurant we are NEVER in a hurry. We are there to sit and talk and eat. If we were in a hurry we'd be pulling thru a drive-in and eating on the run. Must agree with the above poster. If 10 minutes makes you crazy you will never make it thru the months of December-April, especially when everything is cranked up to maximum silliness in February and March.

[Peachie]

I find this rather interesting. Both my wife and I are still working full-time here. If we go to a sit-down restaurant we are NEVER in a hurry. We are there to sit and talk and eat. If we were in a hurry we'd be pulling thru a drive-in and eating on the run. Must agree with the above poster. If 10 minutes makes you crazy you will never make it thru the months of December-April, especially when everything is cranked up to maximum silliness in February and March.

Yep, Bob, I agree... anyone will probably wait 10 minutes. The OP's post didn't say they waited only 10 minutes at Toojay's.

[Whatever]

I have complained to Mngr on several occasions about slooowww service as an offer of constuctive criticism. I have been offerred a comp bkfst, lunch or dinner. I have always refused those lulus as I was not looking for a free meal but rather wanted the mngr to be aware that there was a problem with his/her kitchen and/or wait staff. To complain in order to get a comp is dispicable and cheap. The business is entitled to make a profit. Things happen, but it does not mean that the customer should be rewarded with a freebie because of a complaint or suggestion. By the way, the mngr was usually courteous and thankful for the commentary and if able to, corrected the situation with due speed.

[Indydealmaker]

Bogie, there's a problem, (in my view), with this premise. Why should we be managing the restaurant if there is a manager on duty? Why isn't he or she out managing the floor and if you review Indy's remark... he said he had "the opportunity" to speak with the manager. The gal in our group that needed to eat soon, we weren't about to start looking for a manager and waste more time.

The late afternoon in which we had the poor service in Toojay's was after Easter and slow season had started. There probably weren't more than 12 patrons in the restaurant when our group arrived and a good manager would have noticed the poor service easily.

Some people like to spend time looking for the manager and filing complaints, some of us don't like doing his job. The OP shared his experience and we shared ours.

If one is of the volition that running to managers with complaints enhances their dining experience, they won't be deterred from eating anywhere. They can then ignore the OP's experience. :icon_hungry: Bon Appetit wherever you eat!

Actually, I made my own opportunity. I emailed TooJay's and received a return phone call early the next morning. If you have ever owned a restaurant, you will know that there is more than one level of manager. The main person cannot be there 100% of the time, so responsibility is delegated and this is often where the rub comes in. It is an extreme rarity today to have a full staff of dedicated self-starters. You have to make do and put in checks and balances to try and catch the slackers. Sometimes, you need a "heads up" from your customers.

[rockyisle]

Glad I've been away for a couple of days while you've all dissected and argued about my email. Steve - I will definitely call him tomorrow. For those of you who have all day to sit in a restaurant and be ignored for more than 10 minutes, good for you...But for me, it's the the sign of a place that has lost it's edge with customers. I love TooJays (as I said) and I was hungry and simply wanted service. It's not as if the place was hopping with people and the staff running around with their hair on fire.
We had already waited at the hostess station for more than 5 minutes waiting for her to return from a much needed bathroom break. The people she had asked to watch her station had ignored those of us waiting to begin with. The restaurant was essentially empty when we walked in...
So, I will call tomorrow and talk with the manager - I don't want a free meal and won't accept one - but it will be some time before we return for another try. TooJay's will survive my negative review as there are thousands more Villagers joining us each month - and the snow birds will be back in just a month or two. And you all can move onto another topic to argue about - and then beat up the poster who dares make a comment...

[Peachie]

Actually, I made my own opportunity. I emailed TooJay's and received a return phone call early the next morning. If you have ever owned a restaurant, you will know that there is more than one level of manager. The main person cannot be there 100% of the time, so responsibility is delegated and this is often where the rub comes in. It is an extreme rarity today to have a full staff of dedicated self-starters. You have to make do and put in checks and balances to try and catch the slackers. Sometimes, you need a "heads up" from your customers.

Yeah, I understand the idiosyncrasies of making a complaint, Steve, and I give you credit for your efforts.

But some of us vote where to eat with our feet and don't want the hassle of monitoring a business that belongs to someone else and report problems so they can keep their staff in line. Some people don't mind that use of their time, I don't want to contact restaurants for this purpose.

I totally agree with some posters here and would never accept a free anything from a restaurant if I made a complaint. Just fix the issue and it's thanks enough.

[Indydealmaker]

Yeah, I understand the idiosyncrasies of making a complaint, Steve, and I give you credit for your efforts.

But some of us vote where to eat with our feet and don't want the hassle of monitoring a business that belongs to someone else and report problems so they can keep their staff in line. Some people don't mind that use of their time, I don't want to contact restaurants for this purpose.

I totally agree with some posters here and would never accept a free anything from a restaurant if I made a complaint. Just fix the issue and it's thanks enough.

Although I rarely complain, I certainly would not say that making a complaint is an "odd habit". Oh, I didn't mind taking a couple of minutes away from running a business to perform a little experiment to see if another business owner would respond to a legitimate concern. I am not egocentric enough to ignore the trials and tribulations of others. It was kind of fun to talk to a guy who really seemed to care.

[Peachie]

Although I rarely complain, I certainly would not say that making a complaint is an "odd habit". Oh, I didn't mind taking a couple of minutes away from running a business to perform a little experiment to see if another business owner would respond to a legitimate concern. I am not egocentric enough to ignore the trials and tribulations of others. It was kind of fun to talk to a guy who really seemed to care.

And for that, I applaud you! :bigbow: We're just not all cut from the same cloth, ya know. Hope you enjoy the evening, Steve, I appreciate your insight.

[boomerbaby]

I often have to wait in toojays at the sign in and there are empty tables. They are shorthanded and it is not just there. I started my Christmas shopping today and only 2 registers opened in all 3 stores I went to. The lines were getting long. I can only imagine what it will be like by the holiday season. I am lucky that I do not have to rush, but someone was there on her lunch break so I let her go ahead of me. I think it is like this all over, a sign of the times.

[ilovetv]

If I've had to get up and hunt down a hostess or server when the place is NOT busy and many tables are empty, I'm certainly not going to spend time hunting down a manager.

A good manager is PRESENT and watching the customers and their facial expressions and hands waving that say "Hello-o-o-o-o-o-o-o.......can anybody see us? Or are we INVISIBLE??"

Here in TV there are plenty of other places to dine just a few doors away. Competition is good and we'll go elsewhere.

[Bogie Shooter]

Actually, I made my own opportunity. I emailed TooJay's and received a return phone call early the next morning. If you have ever owned a restaurant, you will know that there is more than one level of manager. The main person cannot be there 100% of the time, so responsibility is delegated and this is often where the rub comes in. It is an extreme rarity today to have a full staff of dedicated self-starters. You have to make do and put in checks and balances to try and catch the slackers. Sometimes, you need a "heads up" from your customers.

I agree!

[BarryRX]

Actually, I made my own opportunity. I emailed TooJay's and received a return phone call early the next morning. If you have ever owned a restaurant, you will know that there is more than one level of manager. The main person cannot be there 100% of the time, so responsibility is delegated and this is often where the rub comes in. It is an extreme rarity today to have a full staff of dedicated self-starters. You have to make do and put in checks and balances to try and catch the slackers. Sometimes, you need a "heads up" from your customers.

Thanks for doing that Steve. Nice move!

[tommy steam]

Just a thought , maybe if the starting wages were higher they could get staff and retain them.

[Indydealmaker]

Here is an interesting article on why being a server does not have to mean you make minimum wage:
Reasons to Be a Waiter | Chron.com (http://work.chron.com/reasons-waiter-2206.html)

[ilovetv]

Just a thought , maybe if the starting wages were higher they could get staff and retain them.

Regardless of the starting wage in the food service business, the employees often do not show up for work. It's a societal trend. But they do show up to collect a paycheck.

If an employee is not self-motivated enough to at least a) show up for work; and b) do their best simply because they have some sense of work ethic......then their base pay is not going to motivate them either. It takes basic ambition, which is often lacking.