Another one of my pet peeves is when people assume that I am a waitress because I chose to do nothing with my life. Since I am in a position that requires little education, I must be uneducated.
"I don't mean to be confusing, but could I have the baked potato instead of the fries?"
We get comments like this all the time. Each waitress has her own reasons for choosing this profession, and many waitresses are either in school or have already been to school. In the restaurant I currently work at, almost half have a college degree or some college education. Many of us are mothers who have chosen to work evenings so we can be home with our little ones during the day.
I fall into this category. I have a Bachelor's in education and am a certified teacher. I taught junior high for several years before giving it up to become a stay at home mom. Needing to get out of the house and earn a little spending money, I started waitressing part time.
Waitressing is a good fall back career. It's good money, and there are always restaurant jobs around. I have waitressed on and off since I was 15. What other career would give me the opportunity to work less than 20 hours a week and still bring home over $500? Not only is the money great, I also have the freedom I need to be at home during the day with my children. If I need a night off, I simply get another waitress to cover my shift. No questions asked.
So, the next time a waitress arrives at your table, dispel all those stereotypical assumptions and get ready for an encounter with an Educated Waitress.
11 comments:
I agree. I waitressed for awhile..have to admit I was no good at it...but I gave it a shot. It is a highly rewarding career if you have the right personality for it! Hey it is great that you found a good way to manage both a career and a family!!
Great blog, super post!! Your comments are so true. Now I must confess, I have never been a waiter but with my job I have frequented many bars, cafes and restaurants around the world, often sat on my own - The meals and drinks have varied, but the moments I remember most fondly are the pleasantries I have exchanged and conversations I've held with many of the wonderful waiters and waitresses. Many times I have revisited or recommended a diner/restaurant purely because of the people working there. All I can say is keep up the fantastic work - it's people like you that help make this world go round. THANK YOU to you and thank you to all those in the waitressing world.
Thank you for all of your kind words.
As much as I love the money and hours involved with waitressing, one of the main reasons I keep coming back is because I love people. Once I start a random conversation with customers, I usually find that we have so much in common. It amazes me some of the bonds that I share with my regulars. The world really is a small place.
Hooray! I love this post! As a waitress turned "professional" turned stay at home mom- business owner, I can't wait to get back into waitress-world! The shifts work around my store schedule, I can be with my kids during the day, and I can pay the bills with just a couple of shifts each week. AND- I always meet great people when I waitress (like you!!). Miss you!
Customers used to say to me, "I want a thick milkshake. That means, add less milk." I would reply, "Well, they didn't teach me that during my yeras at UC Berkekley, bu I think I can manage,,,,"
My 36 years in the restaurant business has taught me to love some, hate some, ignore some, and has inspired me to write a book about all that crap and am glad to know there is some of us that do have 'an attitude' and are willing to share it with others in the business. If you are interested in hearing more laughter about servers and situations I will update anyone when my book is released from the publisher's - sometime in 2008 (During the interim) I'll keep saying a prayer for all of us; Feel free to reply to nineto3nowknds@yahoo.com I'd love to share a story or two with any one of you! Big tips to all and to all a high five!
I love your post because I have been serving since age 16 (I'm now 28) and bartending since age 21. My various serving and bartending jobs have gotten me through both undergrad and now law school...without any student loan debt. But at least once a day I have to deal with some customer that assumes just because I'm waiting on them means I have no brain or common sense...the funniest part about my situation is that when I get a "real" job as an attorney I will likely take a pay cut from what I am currently making serving and bartending!
This past Easter Sunday, a woman at a table of 4, asked me if I went to school. I told her that I did not. And she asked me, "What do you do? Do you work here full time? You should go to school." And she had this disgusted look on her face. I was kind of embarrassed. This lady didn't know me or my situation. I just cant believe how ignorant people can be.
"I'd like a sweet tea......with a lemon and a straw."..............................................................................................Where the *F* do you go that you have to ask for a lemon AND a straw with your sweet tea?!
I have an education as well. I have been a waitress 33 years. Office workers making $8 an hour look down on me. I get the last laugh because i make over $100 in a 4 hour shift. I love my job. When you love your job it's not work.
After years of going back and forth between waitressing jobs, I finally lost the passwords to this blog... But I haven't given up! Or lost my absolute desire to share the JOYS of the restaurant world!!
Join me on the blog I CAN access and will be updating (hopefully!!) far more frequently in the near future!!
It's great to be back... I really need to vent! Waitress4Life
waitressagain.blogspot.com
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