My usual greeting when I approach a table, is “Hi guys how are we doin’ tonight?” but sometimes it’s more casual, “what’s goin’ on guys?” Whatever it may be, I approach with a bright smile and hope. I then go on with saying my name and the rest is history.
From this point, I try my best to make sure my customers have a great experience with great food. When I’m at work I try to focus on work and my customers, but sometimes my life outside of work interferes with my thought process. I know this is true for myself and many others.
“Hi, I’m Mariah and I work and go to school full-time. Once I leave from my shift tonight, I’m going home to finish my English paper.”
or
“Hi, I’m Mariah, and I have my own place with my own bills to pay along with tuition. So even if I wanted to take time off to focus on school, I can’t because I won’t make rent.”
or
“Hi, I’m Mariah, and I have one kid with one on the way and I’m still working on getting my degree, but I can’t afford to take too many classes.”
or
“Hi, I’m Mariah, and I have been on my feet for ten hours straight so far. I haven’t received a break and try to eat a meal in between customers, however, it’s usually cold.” I can honestly say I now like cold chicken more than hot chicken.
These are daily situations for servers, along with many more.
Yes, I agreed to a job where I get paid $3.10 an hour and whatever I make in tips. Yes, sometimes I make beaucoup money, but yes, there are times when I wish for $8.10 an hour. Yes, sometimes I am an awful server who forgets refills or doesn’t see a table ready to pay, but there are times when I have a great time with my customers.
Just because I chose a job that is not “highly-professional” or “respectful”, I am working in a field that for the time being is a part of our society. I do not plan on staying as a waitress for the rest of my life, but at least for the rest of my college-life.
With that said, please do not disrespect your server. Maybe your server forgot your refill because they just received an emergency call about their kid; maybe your server forgot your refill because they’re new and not used to serving, or maybe your server is just plain busy.
As a server, I never tip another server bad, even if I had bad service. I don’t know what’s going on in their life, but I know if I were in their shoes, I would want someone to be understanding.
It’s a love-hate job, like every other job, except I depend on my customers. People I have never met before and probably will never meet again impact my daily living.
I’m not saying “we demand a raise” and I’m not saying “tip us 50%!” all I’m saying is to try to imagine what it would be like in our non-slip shoes.
