Being a waiter/server is not the job for everyone. You have to be super-happy, understanding and sometimes even a little fake. Not every day is the same when you are serving people. Some days are busy, and you are barely able to catch your breath, while other days you pray that someone will just walk through that door so you aren't so bored. This job does have its perks, but it also has its downfalls:
Tips
First of all, I don't get paid $5 an hour for you to round up your bill of $7.35 to $8.00. So, please, the next time you think 65 cents is enough, please think again, because that's honestly the most annoying thing ever.
Not ever person is a bad tipper though. There are always going to be those customers that appreciate the work we do and leave more than they probably should (but I'm not going to complain about that).
Customers
OK. There are just some people that you cannot please, no matter what you do. I try to keep a smile on my face every time I am talking to customers, but if you're going to be rude to me, it's hard to be nice to you. So yes, I will get annoyed, but that won't stop me from doing my job. There are also those customers you see every day that find at least one thing wrong with their meal or the service they had that day. Nobody is perfect, I am so sorry you didn't get your food in five minutes today.
Customers aren't always bad. My favorite ones are the people that come in every day and have actual conversations with me. Yes, I am human too. I'm not just taking your order and giving you food, I don't mind when you ask me how I am or how long I've been working here. Another great thing about "the regulars" is that you could be having a horrible day, and when they walk in, it's like all those other little problems disappear.
Co-workers
The people you work with every day start to become more than just coworkers. That doesn't mean that you enjoy everyone you work with. Being sarcastic and positive helps a lot when you're a waiter, at least where I work it does. Sometimes you just really don't want to deal with the people around you, but shifts always end and there are always new days.
Some of my best memories come from my coworkers. We all learn so much about each other by just going into work for a couple hours out of the day. Getting along with your coworkers makes the day go by faster and definitely makes it more interesting.
Food
There is always food around you, no matter where you go. You see it being made, you smell it while you serve it, but you have to watch other people enjoy it. It sucks. I think that's the worst part about being a waitress. (Alright maybe not the worst, but still ...)
Seeing some of that food being made and what's actually in it, you become a little more satisfied that you can't eat it whenever you want. But when break time comes around you'll never go hungry. Also one of the best part about being a waitress, you can have whatever you want at the end of the day.
I guess in the end being a waiter/server isn't too bad. There are definitely good days, bad days, nice customers, mean customers, and your coworkers that make the day a little more interesting.
