My Experience
Since I've been working as a waitress for almost 10 years now, I thought I'd make a page about it. I started working as a server because I was in school, and it was much easier to work a server schedule around school, then a retail job. I'm also somewhat of an introvert, and I thought being a waitress might help me with that.
I've worked in everything from a diner, to a 24-hour pizza joint, to restaurant/bar combinations. Each place has it's own pros and cons, but I'll tell you this, there's more to being a waitress than bringing food and drinks to people.
You'll never get rich being a server. You can control your income to a certain point, but a lot of it is left to chance. Believe me, there's a lot more to being a server than meets the eye!
Places I've Worked
Here's a list of the different places I've worked as a server in.1. Flameburger - 24 hour greasy spoon diner
2. J's Pizza - 24 hour pizza restaurant
3. Pizza Factory/Adagio Lounge - Italian Restaurant with a bar attached
4. Welsch's Big Ten Supper Club - Despite the fancy name, this wasn't much more than a working man's bar/restaurant. It was complete with pool tables, video games, and dart boards.
If you want me to pick my favorite place that I've worked, I'd have to say it was the Pizza Factory/Adagio Lounge. Had kind of a "Cheers" type feel to it.
Do I Enjoy This Work?
Do I enjoy working as a waitress? Yes and no. It was a great way to work a job around my schooling. Taking money home every time I worked was great too! If you're actually more introvert than extrovert like me, this is a great way to work on it.Overall, the hours are terrible, there's no benefits in most places, and it's not an easy way to make a living. Most servers don't ever get raises either.
I guess, like every other job it has it's pros and cons. For the most part I enjoy doing the work, and I will probably continue to do it off and on whenever necessary.
The Downside
Not so fun things
A lot of people think that a server is a server because they're too dumb to do anything else. To you, my humble readers, most of us are NOT stupid. We don't appreciate being treated like we are.
You need to be a maid too. Not everyone who takes their children out to eat with them, cleans up after them. Remember, you have to be nice to your customers no matter what mood you're in, your income depends on it.
A Waitress Is....
Category: File - :Waitress taking an order.jpg|thumb|400px|A waitress taking an order.
Waiting staff, wait staff, or waitstaff"Waitstaff." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004, via dictionary.com website. Retrieved on 17 September 20...
The Top 3 Things I Think You Should Know
1. Most of us are NOT stupid, and we don't like being treated like we are. Believe it or not, some people enjoy being servers.2. Be prepared to hear a lot of the same lines over and over again. Especially if you're working in a bar.
3. Even if you're having the worst day ever, you can't let your customers know that. It affects your tips, and in some cases, you lose your job.
What Is Your Opinion Of The Humble Server?
Most of us aren't dumb. Some of us actually enjoy working as servers.
Do you think people who work as servers are too dumb to do anything else?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
Becky says:
no. I was a waitress/server for Shoney's restaurant for over 10 years. I worked there while I was going to college and even after school. I love being able to take care of people and eventually had my regulars come in that wanted nobody else but me and that made me feel good.
I knew that if they were asking for me that I was doing a great job. Believe me when I say that servers are not dumb people. I memorized my drink orders and food orders and called them in before I wrote them down on paper.
I am now a substitute teacher and working on bachelors to become an elementary teacher but I would also love to be able to go back to waitressing as well so for all those people that think we are dumb or that restaurant work is not hard, you need to rethink your thoughts and go out and get a job in a restaurant and I guarantee that you will change your mind.
Posted August 18, 2009
No
Spook says:
Seeing as my two eldest children both have degrees and my youngest is just starting. All of them have done this and two are still at it. So there you have it.
Posted November 23, 2009
eclecticeducation says:
Absolutely not!!! I feel for wait staff for the most part because it is an extremely thankless job. If a waitress does well, she MAY receive a little bit bigger tip, but probably not a huge thank you. If she does poorly, well she will probably be treated really bad even if she was trying her hardest.
Posted October 15, 2009
epatrice says:
I have extreme respect for anyone in the service business. They have far more control than anyone gives them credit for. ;)
Posted October 15, 2009
_Joan_ says:
I have a friend who is a Special Ed teacher with a Master's Degree, and she used to work as a waitress in the summers. So I know firsthand that waiters are not necessarily dumb.
Posted October 13, 2009
MAMADOGOOD says:
After 39 years I say:'absolutely not' you get more experience out of waiting tables that any other industry because you deal with so many diverse walks of life and can see the true person in that customer when they are eating out in public, and they couldn't do our job that's why they are our customers! REMEMBER WE ARE HANDLING THEIR FOOD! HOW DUMB CAN THEY GET; JUST TELL 'EM NOT TO 'PISS YOU OFF BEFORE THEY'RE THROUGH EATING- - - iT WORKS! GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU i FEEL YA
Posted October 02, 2009
Have You Worked As A Server?
Waitress Search
Here's some pictures about waitressing.
Andy, AD, OMA
Smile.
Albondigas
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Busy servery - Giant...
Pizza kitchen - Gian...
"Can I take you...
Italian Restaurant W...
Bon appétit!
Waitress.
Waitresses On CafePress
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For My Fans
Whether you're a fan of me or not, let me know you were here. I just love when other Squids visit me.
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Reply
- vanidiana vanidiana Dec 5, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
- Very unique story, thanks for sharing it!
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- Spook Spook Nov 23, 2009 @ 11:18 am
- I wasn't (a fan) but now I am. Great debate. Blessed by an Angel.
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- pkmcr pkmcr Oct 23, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
- Nice lens which gives a really personal insight - well done! Blessed by a SquidAngel
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- eclecticeducation eclecticeducation Oct 15, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
- I was a waitress once and wasn't too good at it. lol!!! I tried hard, but it really wasn't the job for me. It did give me an appreciation for wait staff that I may not have had if I hadn't tried it.
~Lynn
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- _Joan_ _Joan_ Oct 13, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
- I've worked as a nurse and I think there are a lot of similarities between what waiters do and what nurses do. You admit someone to the unit, receive orders on them, carry out the orders, make rounds to check on everybody, and discharge them when they're ready to go. And you're often dealing with people when they're not in their sweetest mood (hungry/sick).
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by Dkprincess6
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