Although serving people for a living can suck sometimes, there are definitely some perks to the job. At the end of the day, people work in this industry because of things like flexibility and cash pay. We may say we hate our jobs one day, but we still show up the next. We wouldn't do so if there weren't some form of benefits on our end.
1. Dead food.
Whenever someone messes up — the cook makes too much of something or the server made a mistake when ringing in the ticket — servers flock around the dead food like crows. In the middle of a busy shift, dead food is quick and easy free food that the server can grab before they run around to get orders, drinks, etc.
2. Cash tips for pay.
The majority of servers chose their job because when they go home every night, they have money in their pocket. Seeing what is essentially their paycheck every day reassures them in the financial department.
3. Pay fluctuates.
Being that the restaurant industry has its slow seasons and busy nights, pay is not always the same. There is also the factor that guests tip what they would like, so if someone undertips, the pay for the shift will obviously be lower than expected. There is also the chance that a server could get a nice section of tables in the restaurant that increases their sales and therefore reflects in their pay. Most servers can expect to make anywhere between $100-$500 a shift (which also depends on the type of restaurant they work in).
4. Meals are half off.
Working day in and day out at the same restaurant gets in the way of life sometimes. So when there is no time to go to the grocery store or when you’ll be too tired to cook once home, eating at work is a pretty good option. Most restaurants offer the chance to get one meal a day half off for your shift. If you work a double, some restaurants will even buy your employee meal of the day. Not having to pay full price for quality food is always a good benefit.
5. The hours are flexible.
Being able to choose a schedule that revolves around the rest of your life is extremely helpful. You’re in school? Great, you’ll work mostly night shifts and weekends. You have a second job? Awesome, You’ll work doubles three days and maybe one more shift during the week. There’s always a way to move your schedule around if life gets in the way.
Although serving people for a living can be boring and annoying, most servers enjoy their job or at least the perks of their job at the end of the day. The job itself can be tedious at times, but being able to have the amount of freedom that restaurant jobs offer is what makes it worth it to be stuck at work until 1:00 a.m. on a Friday night.
