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Career Development

14 Lessons You Learn Through Working In The Service Industry

"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." — Bill Gates

Brooke Catahan Smith

Jul 03, 2018

Virginia Tech National Writers Society

14 Lessons You Learn Through Working In The Service Industry

Flickr Creative Commons

Recently, I had dinner with one of my good friends from my sorority. She stated that she will make her kids work at least once in the service industry while growing up so that they can learn a lot of the same lessons that she learned while working in the service industry before she graduated from college.

Here are 10 lessons to learn from working in the service industry that all workers can relate to.

1. Don't take anything personally.

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It's important to not be too sensitive in the service industry especially when stress runs high during busy hours.

2. People's needs vary.

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People's orders can be either extremely simple or extremely complicated.

3. It's important to lean on your coworkers.

A well-oiled machine is much better during work hours.

4. Slow days are the worst days.

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It's hard to make time go by fast when you have had two customers in the span of five hours.

5. Not everyone likes spending money even when they go out to eat.

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People can tip fifty cents to twenty dollars.

6. Work is a lot more enjoyable to a soundtrack that you like playing in the restaurant.

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Nothing is better than singing along to your favorite songs playing on the jukebox.

7. You have a better understanding of what it's like to deal with customers when the roles are reversed.

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With knowing deeper on what it's like to be in the service industry, you will be more patient with your servers in the future when you go out to eat yourself.

8. Servers don't make any money if you don't tip well.

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A lot of people think that servers make at least minimum wage so they don't feel obligated to tip as much. However, that is not the case.

9. You might have a bad day but it's always best to still have a good attitude.

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Leave your home stresses at home, and have a smile on your face at work and not be a downer.

10. You can't be everything.

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You can't please everyone and you're only one person and can't give every customer the whole world.

11. Work is better when you're working with your friends.

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Work is always more exciting when I get to work the same shifts as my friends.

12. Working at sports bars are better when you actually enjoy sports.

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I'm just glad that the world cup is on this summer.

13. Having to wear a work uniform means doing a lot more laundry.

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I stay getting wing sauce on my uniform shirts.

14. Minimum wage is not enough to live off of.

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I never understood why people want to raise the minimum wage until now.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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14 Lessons You Learn Through Working In The Service Industry

"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." — Bill Gates

1. Don't take anything personally.

2. People's needs vary.

3. It's important to lean on your coworkers.

4. Slow days are the worst days.

5. Not everyone likes spending money even when they go out to eat.

6. Work is a lot more enjoyable to a soundtrack that you like playing in the restaurant.

7. You have a better understanding of what it's like to deal with customers when the roles are reversed.

8. Servers don't make any money if you don't tip well.

9. You might have a bad day but it's always best to still have a good attitude.

10. You can't be everything.

11. Work is better when you're working with your friends.

12. Working at sports bars are better when you actually enjoy sports.

13. Having to wear a work uniform means doing a lot more laundry.

14. Minimum wage is not enough to live off of.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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