Whether it’s a pizza shop, a Chinese restaurant, or family friendly burger shack, unless you are among the retail crowd, most people have at one point experienced what it's like to work in a restaurant. Although I will argue that restaurant work is much more entertaining and fast-paced than retail, like any job, it comes with its own special challenges. That being said…here are the 11 struggles of working as a host in a restaurant.
1. When people ask to move to “that booth over there…” If I wanted you to sit at that “booth over there”, don’t you think that’s where I would’ve taken you? It’s fine though, don’t worry about it, it's not like there is any method to where I seat you.
2. When people call and ask if you have any available seating at 6:30 and then proceed to ask if you’re sure after you tell them no. Oh wait yeah…now that you mention it, I change my mind, come on in!
3. When people call for take out and ask you to read the menu to them first. Which is cool, because you have nothing better to do anyway.
4. Asking if you can help a customer and getting a blank stare.
No? Alright that’s fine. I will just wait here then until you need me.
5. Answering any question that starts with “If it’s not too much trouble could you…”
6. When people call for take out right before you were supposed to go home.
7. When people start yelling at you for a table not being ready, it being too cold, or basically anything else out of your control.
8. Completing a difficult take-out order full of substitutions, questions, and yelling in the background, AND reading specials, only to get a whopping $0 tip.
9. Those people that just decide to do your job for you and seat themselves, now creating more work, because you have to chase them throughout the restaurant to politely ask if they need help.
10. When a customer decides to share their life story with you while waiting for a table. I am only paying attention, because I’m getting paid to be here.
11. Saying “have a good night” and having absolutely no one respond to you. Alright, or not!
