I have never worked in the food industry. I have never been behind the food counter, back in a kitchen, on the floor wiping down tables, refilling drinks, delivering and picking up checks, taking orders, serving trays, etc. etc. I have a newfound respect for anyone that is working in the food industry, whether it be in a fast food chain, a "fine dining" restaurant, or a whole-in-the-wall family diner, I respect you greatly.

Now I don't want anyone to think that I didn't already respect these people beforehand, but I never took into consideration the job as a whole. I had no idea that dine-and-dash was a thing that actually happened. I also did not know that the server has to pay that tab. Additionally, most of a servers income falls from their tips, another thing I didn't fully comprehend. I was one who would throw a couple of dollar bills on the table and leave. I had the philosophy of 'I'll tip them what they deserve.'

This was a very negative and almost foul way of thinking. I have no idea how my server's day/night has been going when they come over to me and my table. They could have just been yelled at by their manager, given a difficult table to serve, received a bad phone call, who knows. But regardless of the service as a whole, I now understand the importance of tipping my server 20%. That full tip that they deserve could turn their whole night around. It's also the right thing to do because I now realize that I am not their only costumer.

Another thing that I have learned is that your shifts are kind of unpredictable. Once you clock in, you don't really know when you're off. You leave once you have been cut and once you have taken care of all your remaining tables. This could keep you serving for an addition 30-45 minutes. I had no idea that was how a serving job worked.

All of these things I learned was because I have been dating a server for a month now. She has humbled me, educated me, and changed me in regards to how I perceive servers and other food industry workers. I never looked down on these individuals, never did I think them any less than myself. But I was ignorant to what they all went through and how crazy their job can be at times.

So, with all that being said, I am a better person and costumer now. I have grown to understand how difficult this job can be. Remember to smile at your host, be kind with your words, and always tip your server.