PSA: TO ANYONE WHO THINKS BEING A SERVER IS EASY, YOU’RE WRONG.

That’s right I said it. How do I know? Because over winter break I took on my first serving position. At a local diner too. How cliche.

I must say, those who are already servers make their job look incredibly easy. The balancing of trays, rushing back and forth from the kitchen, trying to please EVERY damn customer. It’s very stressful and require skill and grace.

I’m a klutz which I never knew about myself. Of course, there was the occasional tripping over my own feet but other than that I’m typically well balanced.

Until I started serving.

My hands are the size of a newborn baby’s. They’re tiny. Trying to carry gigantic trays of heavy plates with steaming hot food was a challenge I was forced to endure—and with grace might I add.

I learned that it’s not remembering drinks or orders that I find to be difficult, but rather the actual delivery of the food itself.

For example:

I’ve had quite a few almost-accidents when it came to distributing the food and keeping the tray balanced.

The terror in my customers eyes as they watched their five foot waiter struggle is something I’ll always remember.

HOWEVER…

My worst nightmare—the number one thing that every server must fear—came true just the other night.

I, completely by accident, spilled hot, boiling, water all over a gentleman.

Not only did my hands began to shake, but his ancient mother just stared at him without a clue as to what was happening. The man hissed in pain, but assured me not to worry as he rushed off to the bathroom. I quickly cleaned the spill and carried on with their order.

Needless to say I couldn’t wait until they left.

It was because of that moment that I rest the drink tray on the edge of the table though you’r not supposed to. But at this point I don’t care because I don’t want that to happen again. And I always use a jack when distributing food. Better safe than sorry.

I can’t say I’ve had any one leave unsatisfied, but never say never. The horrors of serving are in fact real. You get the crappy tippers, the annoying person here and there, and what sucks is that no matter how badly you get treated you must always where a smile.

I will say this: it’s the most fun I’ve had in terms of a job. I like who I work with and who I work for. I walk home with cash in my pocket after every shift. And I get free food when I’m done. What more could a college student ask for?

Next time you go out to eat, be nice to your waiter and don’t cut them short. It takes a lot of guts to talk to strangers and a lot of heavy lifting to do what they do.

PSA OVER.