Every waitress, busboy, bartender and member of the kitchen staff know how the restaurant operates. It is a mystical unicorn when compared to other places of employment. Every young, innocent and naive employee is picked up, chewed up and spit back out after working in a restaurant I am not saying this to discourage anyone from working in one, I love it. My point is simple: working in a restaurant is unique and may change certain aspects of your personality to make you heartier and able to deal with rude customers and fickle bosses. Here are five undeniable truths about working in the restaurant industry.
1. Anything that is said in the kitchen, stays in the kitchen.
The kitchen, especially the area behind the 'grab window', is special. At times when the restaurant is slow, or between rushes, the kitchen becomes a Dr. Phil show, Oprah, Ellen and a weird indie movie all at the same time. If you've worked in a restaurant you know that you have heard things as you were walking back to the dishwasher that you wish you had never heard.
2. The waitress "groan."
If you don't know what this is, then you are super lucky. This grown is similar to a professional tennis player's grunt except deeper and full of frustration and anguish. This groan must be released or else the said waitress will probably explode when she puts on her fake smile to talk to the rude customer that initiated the need for the groan. Believe me, everyone in the kitchen knows about the groan and will accept your frustration graciously.
3. The kitchen staff probably knows everything about you.
The staff in a commercial kitchen are severely underrated. They listen to you complain about the table with three toddlers fascinated by throwing food on the floor, the table with the woman who ordered no marinara sauce on her pasta but extra tomatoes on her salad and those that order extra sauces just to throw them in their purse, yet they still listen, comment when necessary and know exactly what you're in the mood to eat before you do. Trust me, they don't want to make special orders either.
4. "The death stare."
If you aren't familiar with the death stare, then you haven't been working in the industry long enough. The death stare is an invisible laser beam that comes out of the eyes of a waitress in particularly aggravating situations. For example, when a 10-top walks in 15 minutes before closing, the death stare makes an appearance in an effort to dissolve said people into a pile of dust. Let's be real, you have cold sides to prep, silverware to wrap and yourself to feed.
5. Making up a random excuse because you do not feel like working another shift.
Yes, we all need the money; however, asking me the day before if I could pick up Miss "I don't roll my half of the silverware's" shift isn't going to fly. If I didn't have something to do, I certainly do now!
Working in a restaurant has taught me valuable lessons and skills for life. I love everyone I work with and I generally like going to work. Some days it takes a little extra complaining to get me through the shift but others are a breeze. I know "waitress probs" is always trending but for those that live it--you understand.
