Before I started working part-time as a waitress, I had trouble understanding why people would want to wait tables. I mean, what's the attraction in running around getting a party of 10 a glass of water each, or cleaning up the fries and macaroni that toddlers throw on the floor? However, after being offered a waitressing job at a local restaurant in my town last summer, I decided to give it a try. Suddenly my whole view on serving changed. Here are the various perks of waiting tables:

1. You walk out with cash after every shift.

Before I became a waitress, I worked a job where you wouldn't get paid until after 3 weeks, and it would be in the form of a paycheck. I mean, paychecks aren't bad, but I would much rather walk out with the money that I made each night in hand. Now you might think that if you walk out with pile of cash, you are bound to go spend it right away. You need to learn a little discipline. Typically, I put all my money that I walk out with away to try and be smart and save up. However, if I'm feeling like treating myself to a day of shopping, I know there's cash for me. Waiting tables is also a great way to make quick money, and usually the tips are great, so you are bound to walk out with a nice wad of cash each night.

2. The hours are flexible.

A great thing about serving is that you basically get to pick and choose the days that you can work, and everyone is usually flexible to changes. If you know you will be going on vacation for a week, and you give a heads up about it in advance, you'll get that week off. Coworkers are also always looking to swap shifts, so if something comes up and you need your Thursday night free, it's likely that someone will want to take it from you.

3. You get to interact with all different kinds of people.

Being a server, you meet all different kinds of people. I work at a restaurant filled with loyal regulars, which is great because you get to build relationships with the customers you see multiple times per week. On the slower day shifts, it gives you people to talk to. Young or old, townies or just folks passing through, things are rarely boring. One of the many things that I have learned from being a server is to make just the right amount of small talk with your tables, because by doing that you can learn little things from a wide variety of people.

4. You learn how to multitask.

You just got double sat, table 5's food is up, and your party of 8 wants another round of drinks. Stressful, right? At first it is, but after experiencing this multiple times per week, you start to get into a routine and learn how to make it all work. Personally, I would rather be in a fast-paced environment than sitting in a cubicle staring at a computer. All of the stress pays off and over time you learn to manage it in a healthy way.

5. The coworkers are great.

One of my favorite things about working in the restaurant industry is that you get to work with people. Whether the restaurant is dead or super busy and you are in the weeds, coworkers are always there, either to provide entertainment or a helping hand. I could never get through a slow lunch shift without my teammates, or survive a busy Saturday night without their help, if needed. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in a good group, your shifts at the restaurant will be much more bearable.

6. The amazing employee discount

Finally, one of the greatest perks of being a waitress is all of the free food. After a busy night on the job, you always look forward to sitting down with your coworkers and enjoying a nice meal. What's even better than that is that it doesn't cost you a dime. There is nothing better than free food, am I right?