In a fast-paced environment like a restaurant, the public tends to become more hostile than in usual circumstances. As a hostess in an extremely fast-paced restaurant, there are many instances where people become impatient and impolite fairly quickly.

Every day at work is extremely tedious and requires much agile attention. Some, yet not all, understand and watch the hard work and devotion that goes into each shift. Often times many people do not appreciate our hard work and become extremely distressed in a matter of minutes.

So to the people who do not understand what we deal with each day, we cannot magically take people out of their seats and reposition them, nor can we ask them to leave our restaurant promptly unless circumstances are required. We give each table, depending on the amount of people there are, a specific time frame. If these customers exceed their time frame, it is inevitable. Some people can sit for four hours, some can sit for 30 minutes, but this would then be a job for mind readers, not a hostess.

We try our best to make each and every person in the restaurant happy, but many people are ill-mannered as soon as they walk through the door. Yes, it is extremely irritating that your table may not be ready, but no one is more special than another. There are always other customers waiting as well.

Hostesses are the first to receive all the disturbance from a customer. Once a table is sat they are more prone to elevate their mood because their “hangry” behavior subsides, but not always. Yet the public is never fully satisfied with someone trying their best.

So to the men and women who have not appreciated our countless efforts running around the restaurant to clean/set tables, give people drinks/orders, put the plates/drinkware/silverware away, take a good look. We run, and I mean we run, around this restaurant like we are running to save a person’s life. Still, people think that it is so easy, so customers may call us incompetent to say the least. All in all, that one individual who says thank you and points out our hard work, that is the reward for working in a restaurant.

Some of the many compliment us on our temperament and they appreciate and admire our demeanor. These people are patient and kind, in which we reward them with commendable tables that they will enjoy. These are the people who understand what we endure each day we walk through the door and answer the phones.

So before you walk in a restaurant with a puss on your face, please be reminded that we do not receive breaks, nor are we allowed to eat during shifts. We deal with thousands of people and maybe we cannot satisfy your every need, but I promise we try.

We keep smiles on our faces throughout the night, even after countless mishaps or mistakes. Hence, whatever job it is, it is done with a smile, and some passion. Just because someone was angry does not mean that it should be taken out on other people. We are all human and go through situations. Patience is a great quality to have. The person you are taking your anger out on could be having the best day of their life or the worst...choose wisely. Patience is a virtue, so before getting angry at a hostess, waitress, manager, etc. please be cautious with your words.