I have been in the restaurant business for practically my whole working career and I have learned a few things and experienced many others. I was promoted to "server" about seven months ago and it is a good way to make money. The restaurant has shown me the positive and negative sides of serving. Here are five things that I have learned so far:
1. Wages
I knew that servers did not get paid minimum wage due to getting paid through tips. But what I did not know was that I was making $2.13 plus tips. Some customers do not realize that waiters and waitresses make less than minimum wage and practically survive off the tips we make each shift we work. I do not fault them for this because this may not be common knowledge.
2. Customers
Something else I learned is that not all customers are easy. You may just end up serving someone or some people that you cannot please. I have had a few costumers that I tried to serve as best as I could but they did not see it as good service. I asked my boss about what to do and his response was that there is nothing you can do sometimes. I try and fix my mistakes so that I do not get more bad comments.
3. Co-Workers
Co-workers can be some of your best friends or people that annoy you. I am friends with most, if not all, of my co-workers. There may be a few people you work with that you do not get along with, but you must be able to work with them. I told my cousin, who works with me, that you don’t have to get along with everyone, but you have to be able to work with them.
4. Bosses
My bosses are some the best people I know, but we have had to go through a lot of rough times. Through my year and half working for my bosses, I learned that no matter how stubborn you are, you will have to listen to your superiors. They know what they’re talking about, even if you think you know all there is to know. Bosses and managers got where they are through hard work and starting at the beginning. Good bosses try to help their employees as much as they can without doing the job for them.
5. Business
The restaurant business is never consistent. There will be days that customers will come in like it is the last day on Earth. Other days, business will be slow. Being a server allows you to either make $50 a night or $200 a night; it just depends on how busy the restaurant gets. My roommate says he likes serving because it can be the job that you make the most money in the shortest amount of time, if your restaurant has business.
Serving is a job that I find fun because I meet a lot of new and different people while working. I get the benefits of getting half-priced food, great bosses and managers, and learning how food and alcoholic drinks are made. Serving may not be for everyone but it is a good job to learn how to communicate, be a people person, and coping with pressure.
