Some of you may know that I’ve taken some time off the past few months to regroup and figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I thought I would lay everything aside and go back to waiting tables for awhile, where I didn’t have to use my brain (much) and I could put it on auto pilot.
I am twice as old as I am now since I last waited tables and I gotta tell ya, it’s a lot harder. Your body doesn’t want to stand all day and your attitude isn’t as flexible to deal with the BS (or am I simply referring to mine alone???).
That being said, here are FIVE THINGS I’VE LEARNED WHILE BEING A WAITRESS in my 40′s:
- People are A’holes. That’s right! People are rude, demanding and feel entitled. While you occasionally run across a sincere, kind human being you’re mostly stuck dealing with the rest of the A’holes having to suck it up and be their biatch. It’s just a fact. Why do most people feel entitled? I get that you’re “PAYING FOR THE FOOD SO THE SERVICE SHOULD BE TOP NOTCH” but how about giving some slack. We’re all human. We make mistakes and nothing in life is perfect. We deserve nothing. I guarantee you though, if you’re nice to your server your server will most likely provide the best service and go above and beyond. Chill out already. Nobody owes you anything!
- Waiting tables is HARD WORK! You not only have to deal with the difficult people, waiting tables is hard on your body. My sister has a restaurant that I’ve worked at recently and she has been in the food service industry for some twenty or more years now. She is currently dealing with a messed up back, tendinitis and is very cynical and cranky when it comes to people. I’m feeling the pain in my back and arms – plus, I’m used to being in bed by 9pm so working till midnight just sucks!
- I have a 5 second memory. The older you get, the more your memory starts to fade away (at least in my case – and probably from all the drugs we took in our twenties). I can’t remember sh#$ and people expect me to remember their order or even their name so I can address them personally? I can’t even remember my own name. Give me paper and pen (oldschool) or how about an app on a tablet that connects directly to the POS and I’m good. Remembering stuff is hard, people!
- I’d rather be the one being served! The first day I worked at the country club my boss asked “What do you think? You think you’re gonna like this?” I blurted out quickly “Um, I don’t know but I know one thing – I’d rather be on the other end (the rich housewife with nothing to do but play tennis and drink at 11 am) than on the serving end.” She gave me a bewildered look and walked away.
- I’d better figure out real quick what I want to do. Having taken this time off to go back into the service industry has really caused me to put some thought into where I want to go this year and beyond. I’d better make a plan cause I know one thing, I don’t want to be here forever! Some love it, some are made for it and I can really appreciate that. Kudos to them! I know it’s only temporary for me and I’d better get it together quickly before someone winds up dead! :)
All in all I’m reminded how difficult people can be, how hard it is to pretend to be nice when others mistreat you or try and make you feel inferior simply by what you do. I have a whole new appreciation for those who serve others in any industry these days and if that is all I have learned it’s all good.
Sometimes we need these little reminders in hopes that we walk away with a greater appreciation of life and concern for others.
Now let’s hear your horror (or awesome) serving stories.
