Working as a server can be good money, especially during the busy season, but it doesn't come without costs. People say that this is one of the highest stress jobs out there, and anyone who has ever worked in a restaurant can attest to this. If you can handle 9 hours of abuse without having a mental breakdown, this is the job for you.
1. You have regular nightmares about work.
Even when you're not working, you're still under the stress of trying to please your customers. Forgot to deliver water to the table? Forgot you even had a table? Only a server will understand the stress of these situations.
2. Everything goes from 0-100 real quick.
Your shift always starts out fine. It's slow, you're feeling good. Then all of a sudden you have three parties at once and are racing around the restaurant trying to get drinks and put in orders.
3. People are always impressed by how many plates you can carry.
It's a true skill.
4. You know never to look at the drinks while you're carrying them.
When bartenders fill the glasses to the brim it can be hard not to spill, but every server knows if you look straight ahead it will be much easier.
5. White uniforms are the absolute worst.
It's a war zone out there, and wearing white is always a big mistake. By the end of the night you are covered in God knows what, and of course there's no getting those stains out.
6. Little kids are terrifying.
At any minute they will explode, it's literally a ticking time bomb. You just have to cross your fingers their food will be out before a tantrum starts. Also tables with kids are a nightmare to clean.
7. The kitchen is hell.
It's 500 degrees and the chefs will likely swear every other word. Such fun.
8. You start the night with tons of pens, and end with one.
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Somehow pens always seem to magically disappear. Servers are desperate at the beginning of a shift to collect as many as possible, because running out of pens is a death sentence.
9. Regulars are the best.
These people know the drill and honestly are a relief to serve. It's a cakewalk compared to the screaming kids you have to deal with at your other table.
10. You always get blamed, even though it's usually not your fault.
When something comes out under-cooked, or the food is taking too long, you're the one who has to take the heat.
11. You say "behind", even when you're not at work.
A force of habit I suppose.
12. Getting a good tip can change your whole night.
It's the best thank you there is.
13. Modifying a dish more than once is not acceptable.
Can I get the steak and mashed potatoes, but instead of steak I'll have salmon and instead of potatoes I'll have rice.
14. Big parties ordering their drinks, plus a water for everyone, make your heart race.
This means if you have a party of 12, that's 24 drinks totally that you have to serve and keep track of. You can guarantee you'll be in the weeds after that.
15. When you go out to eat, you find yourself thanking the bussers and helping the server collect the dirty dishes.
You know what goes on behind the scenes, and understand how helpful these simple acts can be.
16. You feel like a stripper because your wallet is always full of singles after work.
On the plus side, you rarely have to go to the bank to cash in a check.
17. Your sleeping schedule is permanently messed up.
Working until close at means you probably won't be in bed until after midnight, then you sleep in the next morning only to wake up and go back in to work. The cycle is endless.
18. You have a love hate relationship with your job.
On one hand it passes the time quickly and you're making decent money, but on the other it is physically and emotionally exhausting. It's an emotional roller coaster.
