Working at a restaurant isn't easy. When it comes to being a server, the amount of money you make is determined solely on tips, and because of this, you have to wear a happy face all of the time. Let's be real here, your service could be impeccable and you could be the happiest server in the entire world, but there would still be a select few customers that would leave you a pretty below average tip. Here is what a typical night is like for a server:
Entering work:
Because who ever really wants to go?
When you enter work hungover or without enough sleep:
Pretty much self-explanatory.
Working a double:
If a shift from 4 p.m. to midnight isn't enough, imagine working from 10:30 a.m. to midnight. Doubles make you feel as if there isn't any happiness left in this world.
Before the shift begins:
Before even dealing with customers, you have to set up the restaurant, check the supplies, clean everything, sweep the floors, and a whole bunch of other fun activities too!
When, suddenly, it gets busy and no one is prepared:
Sometimes, a server will be given seven tables at once and everything happens so quickly that there is NO time to think.
The terrifying thought of dropping your plates and looking like this:
When customers try to make a joke:
"I would like that wrapped" or "I hated it," when the customer's plate is clearly very empty. Both are very original! Never heard that one before...
When a customer is rude for no reason:
Sometimes, you can put on your brightest face and a customer will still give you unneeded attitude.
When your table's food isn't coming out:
Sometimes, the kitchen gets backed up and your table gets mad that everything is taking so long. Should you move up their ticket and risk other tables getting their food later? Should you tell your boss? Should you apologize over and over again to your table? How do you make an unhappy customer happy!?
When tables leave a bad tip:
Yes, there are days when you're not on your server A game and so you do deserve a less than ideal tip, but when a table leaves you 10 percent and you were waiting on them hand and foot, you kind of feel like saying:
When a table leaves an amazing tip:
It's great to know that a table cared about your service enough to leave you a good tip. Sometimes you could just cry of happiness when customers don't suck!!
When it's closing time but tables won't leave because they are having too much fun:
Yes, we are all so delighted that you are having a good time catching up with friends over drinks, but when it's an hour past closing, we would very much like to go home.
After tables leave and you get to hang out with your coworkers:
There's nothing better than working with people whom you get along with. Once all of the customers leave and it's just you and the rest of the staff, it's time to start celebratin'!
When the night's over AND you get paid in cash:
Although the life of a server can be stressful and hectic, at the end of the night, you are able to go home with your CASH tips. You can sleep happily knowing that the government couldn't even take them away from you.
