I have been working in food services for almost four years now. I work a great little mom and pop ice cream shop, and I love it. However, I have also seen the downside of working with the public that can be less than pleasant. I wholeheartedly believe everyone needs to work in some sort of food services at some point because it honestly teaches you so much. It teaches you about dealing with people; you would be amazed at how uptight people get as soon as food gets involved.
Here are just a few of the things I've learned working in the food business.
1. Patience.
Wow, oh, wow -- how being a server has taught me to be patient. Since working with the public, when I am at another restaurant or any food service, I am so much more patient and this old-fashioned thing called kind. I think sometimes the things that humble us the most are our experiences, and being a server truly is the most humbling thing you can do. People can just be mean and nasty. It truly amazes me how parents let their kids behave in public, but sometimes adults are worse than the kids. You hear a lot these days about how our generation is so rude and so out-of-touch, but I can truthfully say my worst experiences with customers has been with older people, so I think the coin might be flipped on that one.
2. It's not always your server's fault.
I have been in situations before where customers just get so mad at me, and it's not my fault. So newsflash to all customers: I don't make the prices. I also cannot help you if we're out of something. A lot of times that has absolutely nothing to do with me. Sorry.
3. There is no need to be rude.
Sometimes I think people just like to argue. It amazes me how upset people get over food or if we're out of specific flavors. To me, I just feel like it's not that big of a deal, but clearly I am wrong. Also you being rude just makes you "that" person.
4. Your attitude affects everything.
I greet all customers with a smile. It's not that hard to smile back. When a customer immediately comes in annoyed or upset, that sets the tone for the entire service. Of course, I will continue to be nice to you because it's my job. However, it amazes me how many people forget to be pleasant once they start ordering food.
5. Leave a tip, would ya!
I have a really great job where my boss still pays me minimum wage even though we get tips, but legally, she doesn't have to. I know there's lots of waiters and waitresses out there who don't get paid minimum wage. Most of them, in fact, don't get paid minimum wage. But even though I hate human wage, I still get a lot of my money from tips. I can't even imagine people that just live on tips because so many times customers just leave a dollar or no tip at all. After becoming a server, I can tell you I tip all the time, everywhere I go. So leave a tip, would ya!
I have learned quite a bit in my time in food service, but one thing I think that I can take away from it the most is I truly believe everyone should.
