Toward the end of my freshman year, I secured a job at a restaurant. Nothing too exciting on the surface, the is a common phenomenon with many of my peers. Restaurants usually offer a higher pay rate than hourly jobs, cash in hand at the end of the night, and the good nights can offer $100 or more in a single shift. For a struggling college student, this is not only a nice perk, it is necessary for survival. So I pursued a job at Tilted Kilt. For those unfamiliar with the restaurant, Tilted Kilt is a contemporary Celtic-themed sports bar founded in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003. Currently, there are 107 locations and more in the development stage. Tilted Kilt is a "breastaurant," a term used for restaurants that feature skimpily-dressed female waiting staff. The outfit featured at Tilted Kilt consists of a red tartan plaid bra with a white short sleeve shirt with the ends knotted and laid across the midriff. Additionally, females wear a short red tartan kilt and white stockings with red flashings on each leg, with black Mary-Jane style shoes. Males are also required to wear a thematic uniform. Their uniform (or rather mine) is a black TK shirt, with a Black Kilt, black belt, Black half-boots, black stockings with green flashings on each leg. It takes some time getting used to, but it is quickly embraced by all who don it and wear it proudly while serving.
The first time I put my uniform on, I will admit, I felt ridiculous. But the allure to get paid was stronger than my self-consciousness over wearing a Kilt, so I rushed to work and I have enjoyed every shift since. My job has two separate titles: busser and barback. As a busser I clear and set tables, keep the serving station stocked, roll silverware, assist in closing duties, and do anything the girls require help with. As a barback, I do whatever the bartenders need me to do in order to keep the bar running. This involves a lot of cleaning glasses, countertops etc. I enjoy both jobs immensely. My job is based on tips. I receive an hourly wage, but like most restaurants it is appallingly low, but I earn a good amount from what I receive in my tip outs. I rely on the servers greatly. They are required to give a portion of their tips to me as my payment for the night. It is essential that my duties are always completed so I do not add onto the strain of the female staff. So far, I have been doing this correctly, and my female coworkers and I get along greatly. It is always reassuring when you come into work and smiles flash your way because people are excited to work with you. And now knowing this feeling, I will never leave, or work in an environment where this feeling is not present.
When I disclosed to people that I had begun working at Tilted Kilt reactions were usually the same. "What do you wear?" "You're just doing it for the girls," and "I would never wear a kilt," blah blah blah. A majority of people have these preconceived notions about the business when the central focus is a family friendly sports bar. Yes, the girls wear outfits that probably garner a PG-13 rating, but that's perfectly acceptable. None of the servers (or entertainers which are the technical term) perform displeasing acts or act in a manner that's any different from most other restaurants. My coworkers are always extremely friendly, happy to assist the customer in whatever way they can. Our food is delicious. Having been around the kitchen quite frequently I can vouch for its practices, and I look forward to my food break every shift. The hodgepodge blend of English, Scottish, Irish, and Americana that grace every surface of the establishment is wonderful. Even the limericks plastered on the walls give me a laugh every time I gaze upon them, and inebriated patrons trying to speak them with a Londoner's accent is always satisfying. And the girls are fantastic. Their backgrounds are all uniquely diverse. Some are in school, have children, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, other jobs, (and now for the cliche bit) hopes and dreams. But at work, we are legitimately a family. We all know each other's name, which is a feat for such a large staff. On our bad nights we notice and try to make a shift easier for someone. We are there for each other. Always willing to help out. My managers share the same attitude, and I am blessed to have such a wonderful work experience. I am excited to continue working for this company. I have never found a job where I wanted to remain loyal for a significant amount of time. But to me, Tilted Kilt is the business I want to continue with, because at its heart, It is an outstanding company, with a unique experience that many restaurants can only hope to match. I look forward to growing with the company for the next four years, and my enthusiasm will never extinguish.
