Hooters Makes You Happy

On April Fools Day of 1983, six businessmen opened the doors to a restaurant that would soon change the world. Being the first of its kind, the uniform was based off of physically fit women who embodied the All-American cheerleader. Considering the restaurant was created in the 80's, it was known to be severe taboo which soon had people creating judgements based on what they saw. Generations later it is still known that some see it as taboo but it seems as though it is not as frowned upon as it use to be. Though some may see it this way, you can walk around a mall or streets of a big city and see girls exposing more than I do in my Hooters uniform. We are all taught that we are entitled to our own opinions even if we don't agree with others. Before I started working or even applied at Hooters, I had the impression that the girls were ditzy and craved attention. Once I started working there I had realized that I had the wrong outlook of the girls and atmosphere that came with being a Hooter's girl. I started my journey as a Hooter's girl in November of 2015 and from there on out I fell in love with my job, the girls, and the people I met.

The Judgmental Stage

I was always nervous about telling people where I work because of the looks or remarks I receive. Whenever someone asks me where I work, if it comes up during short conversation, I often find myself scared to admit it just because of the judgment. However, the hardest part of becoming a Hooter's girl wasn't the constant judgment from my peers but the constant judgment from the people closest to me. I felt as though they were embarrassed with the fact that I decided to choose a job that would help my future, help me pay my bills, help me in the right direction, and help me become more independent. The job I chose didn't hurt anyone or even myself for that matter, it was just the fact that "I would be in tight clothing serving drunk guys" right? Wrong.

Assumptions vs. Reality

I serve more families and couples than I do men. I spend more of my time as a Hooter's girl hula hooping with children than I do "flirting" with the guys I serve. I'm not getting fat paychecks and I'm not getting $60 tips from every table. I get stiffed just like any other waitress, I get tipped below 20% like any other waitress, and I get really nice tips just like any other waitress. Sometimes I end my shift with $250, sometimes it's $30. When you walk into Hooters you see a group of guys, a family of six, or a group of girls that came out that night to have a few drinks. The atmosphere is not just about guys coming to see good looking girls with hopes of having a shot because most of them don't. Occasionally guys will leave me their number, but I can honestly say that I have never saved any of the numbers I received, not because they weren't attractive but because I am working. It is my job to entertain every customer in the building because people come to Hooters to eat amazing wings, talk to the girls, and have a great time during their experience.

The High Expectations

As a Hooter's girl you are expected to meet certain standards, and when I say standards I do not mean that you have to stick your nose against the wall to see if your breasts touch it first or your nose (I promise that is just a rumor). You are not hired based solely on your looks, a lot of it is the personality you bring to the restaurant. Being a Hooter's girl, it is a must that you have an outgoing, friendly personality. There are a few guidelines a Hooter's girl must follow because it takes more work to get ready before a shift than most might realize.

Clean Shoes: Every restaurant gets dirty but you have to keep high maintenance on shoes considering they are white. They must remain pearly white as well as the laces.

Make Up and Hair:

• The biggest components of make up that must be worn at all times include foundation lipstick, mascara and blush. Your makeup should be wholesome, yet sexy and fun. It is extremely important to highlight the best features of your face.
• It is also extremely important as a Hooter's girl to be "camera ready" when you walk through the doors for every shift.
• Hair has to be done in a glamorous style, worn completely down and with volume.

Hooters Girls, Best Friends, Sisters

You would think that working with beautiful girls would mean that there would be petty drama-- yes or no? This is the first thought that went through my head when I got the call saying I got the job. I did my little happy dance and then I actually thought, "as if I didn't already have enough drama throughout high school because of girls." This was one of my biggest setbacks when I first applied, but this is when I didn't know any better and judged based on first impressions, not knowledge. When I first started, being the new girl was nerve-wrecking because I didn't know a single girl and I wanted to make sure that they all liked me. Once I got the hang of things, the girls really came around and to my surprise they were all a lot like me. Most of them were going to school and paying bills while some had a family and Hooters helped support them financially. We were all battling our own issues when it came to money but we found ourselves in one another. We aren't just Hooter's girls to each other but sisters. Whenever I need something whether it be a shift to be covered, a dress to wear out for Pint Night on Tuesday, or advice about a boy; I know I can always count on all of my girls to help me out. That is something that I have gotten from the Hooters corporation-- a family.

Something that Everyone Needs to Understand

Much of people's judgments come from the Hooters uniform including the white tank tops that might show "too much cleavage" or the orange shorts that might show "too much butt cheek." All of the different comments on the uniform are understandable, but it is something each of us took into consideration when applying and accepting to work here. Yes, my uniform is tight fitting but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy wearing sweatpants as soon as I get out of work. Yes, I have my hair and make up done like a Barbie doll, but that doesn't mean I cannot wait to put my hair up and grab a makeup wipe out of my bag once I clock out after my shift. Yes, my cleavage shows and sometimes my shorts will ride up, but that doesn't mean I don't respect myself. I am just like every other person and every other waitress-- I have rent to pay for, car insurance, a phone bill, and college tuition that I have to pay for on my own. My parents don't help me when it comes to finances considering I am an adult who should be able to make money on my own. So unless you want to pay for my living, don't judge my work place.

I am a happy, carefree, and independent young woman. I am a college student. I am a writer. I am a food junkie. I am a frequent movie goer. I am worth more than your judgments. I am a human being. I am a Hooter's girl.

And I am so much more than just my uniform.