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Anybody ever worked as a waiter/waitress?

Thankfully not for many years but yes, I have in the past.

At one point, the family owned a bistro so I worked there at weekends while at school and then worked as a floor manager in McD's when I was at University. Also worked in a bar a few times which was fun. You learn a heck of a lot about people while in any 'service' industry...
 
Worked at McDonalds for a bit...that really sucked. Also worked in a few grocery stores. I enjoy making people happy, but those people who cant be made happy no matter how much you kiss their butt really drive me insane. I have the utmost respect for those in the service industry. I'm just not one of those people who can take other people's attitudes. And yes, everyone should work in that industry for a little bit. Sort of the "walk in another mans shoes" deal. I will never treat a waitress like crap for something that probably has nothing to do with them.
 
The only jobs I ever had before graduating college were in restaturants. I've probably put in a good 4 or 5 years as a server. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit, but it really depends on the place...

For instance, working for a chain sucks. Too many rules and regulations; takes all the fun out of it. If you work for a family-owned place, it's much more laid back and much more fun.

It really is a unique culture working in the restaurant business. The kitchen is usually one big drug ring, and all anyone ever does is bitch about the customers, because they really are so damn annoying!! When I eat out now, I am always extremely mindful of what I do/say so as to not piss off my server.

On the other hand, I'm also EXTREMELY critical of poor service and have no tolerance for it.

But restaurant work really can be a lot of fun. It's a very social atmosphere (again, if you work in the right kind of place).

ND
 
iGary said:
I've bartended/waited tables....

Then I worked 11 years of retail.

I hate people.
Click to expand...

I can't count the number of people I wanted climb over the counter and pin. :mad:

On another note, I did manage to tune people out when I needed to, but that did occasionally create some more people to hate..."Ummm, EXCUSE me, but I ordered a half-caf, mocha soy latte with three packets of splenda, and this has three in it. I can taste it. Money back please."
 
servingstories said:
I would like to invite everyone that is or has been a waiter, waitress, bartender, or cocktail waitress to join my new web site and post serving stories.

Tell everyone about your good, bad, and just plain weird customers and experiences.


http://www.servingstories.com
Click to expand...

Wow, so this does exist :eek: :p

I was an Expo for two years in HS and then I realized that I didn't get paid as well as other jobs and I had to put up with more s***, so I quit. I never was a waiter/bartender because at the time I was less than 18yrs old and they frown upon having someone else bring out all of your alcohol orders :p
 
iGary said:
I've bartended/waited tables....

Then I worked 11 years of retail.

I hate people.
Click to expand...

I've never worked as a bartender/waiter.

I really enjoy helping people, that is why nursing is a perfect fit for me. Just comes as second nature.
 
wdlove said:
I've never worked as a bartender/waiter.

I really enjoy helping people, that is why nursing is a perfect fit for me. Just comes as second nature.
Click to expand...

I think the difference between waiting tables and nursing is that in waiting tables you are serving people, and the people see you as a tool, whereas in nursing they see you as someone there who will help them get better.

Honestly some people could not be more rude to waiters and bartenders, but being rude to a nurse is a different story...
 
i did it all....i was a bus boy/waiter/cook/bartender and i sucked at all....i sucked at bartending the most cuz i drank more than i served dipping under the bar to take a shot and this was in my college dinning room.

Lovelyfull
 
jsw said:
I haven't.

But I did work the night shift stocking shelves at a grocery store, and a few times I helped drunk/tired people find food items. Does that count? ;)
Click to expand...

I worked as a stock clerk and produce guy during HS and for a few years after. The things people do when they think they can get away with it p*** me off. Buy three pounds of steamed shrimp, crack the pack open and eat while they shop, then toss the rest behind some dog food or something. You don't want to be the guy who finds that 8 hours later, believe me. I don't even want to tell you what I saw happen in the toiletries aisle one night.
 
zelmo said:
...I don't even want to tell you what I saw happen in the toiletries aisle one night.
Click to expand...

Oh yes you do. :)

I need cheering up tonight with a good laugh-out-loud but gross story.
 
Blue Velvet said:
Oh yes you do. :)

I need cheering up tonight with a good laugh-out-loud but gross story.
Click to expand...

OK, but you were warned.

We had this one "lady" who hung out in the neighborhood, which had several bars of the old duffer variety. She would be their friend, and she was as skanky an old bird as you can imagine. Always with the same dirty black dress, dirty black shoes, nasty fishnets, greasy black hair. Just a pathetic human being, really. And smelly!!!!! She'd come in the store, some manager would find her and kick her out. Happened all the time.
Anyway, one night I'm cutting through the meat department, which runs across the back of the store and is perpendicular to the aisles. There are a few people staring out one of the one-way mirrors, looking vaguely disgusted. I had to look.
Let's just say she was in the feminine hygiene products aisle, using one of the Summer Breeze items. Yes, in the middle of the aisle.:eek: :eek:
I took an extended break so I wouldn't be the guy called in to clean up aisle 6.

Hey, you asked.
 
zelmo said:
...Let's just say she was in the feminine hygiene products aisle, using one of the Summer Breeze items. Yes, in the middle of the aisle.:eek: :eek:
Click to expand...

Heh-heh. I guess she wasn't hired for future product demonstrations then.
Did any of your colleagues have the courage to get involved?
 
Anybody work as both a waiter and a waitress? ;)

Of course the thought of a big hairy guy on MR's dressed as a Hooter's Girl is just a little creepy. :eek:
 
zelmo said:
OK, but you were warned.

We had this one "lady" who hung out in the neighborhood, which had several bars of the old duffer variety. She would be their friend, and she was as skanky an old bird as you can imagine. Always with the same dirty black dress, dirty black shoes, nasty fishnets, greasy black hair. Just a pathetic human being, really. And smelly!!!!! She'd come in the store, some manager would find her and kick her out. Happened all the time.
Anyway, one night I'm cutting through the meat department, which runs across the back of the store and is perpendicular to the aisles. There are a few people staring out one of the one-way mirrors, looking vaguely disgusted. I had to look.
Let's just say she was in the feminine hygiene products aisle, using one of the Summer Breeze items. Yes, in the middle of the aisle.:eek: :eek:
I took an extended break so I wouldn't be the guy called in to clean up aisle 6.

Hey, you asked.
Click to expand...

<======= Queezy :(

Gross, I realize that certain things are natural and that women have a lot of things to take care of that men don't....and don't care to know about in detail ;), but damn that's gross. I would hate to see that.

What actually bothers me more is that people don't say anything, they just stand their like deer in headlights and do nothing! Someone speak up, tell her to at least use it in the bathroom or better yet, pay for it first.
 
OutThere said:
I think the difference between waiting tables and nursing is that in waiting tables you are serving people, and the people see you as a tool, whereas in nursing they see you as someone there who will help them get better.

Honestly some people could not be more rude to waiters and bartenders, but being rude to a nurse is a different story...
Click to expand...

I always try to be very polite to my waiter/waitress. Really haven't hada connection with a bartender.

When a person is ill, they aren't always polite at the time. In most cases when feeling better they aploigize or just say thank you which would make my day. :)
 
Worked as a waitress and a relief short order cook in college. You couldn't pay me enough to do it again. But, you alway ate, and you always had money.
 
Worked as something close to a waiter when I was 15. It was as Chuck E Cheese. Not at, but as. Miserable experience. Boss's name was Jeff. I quit on him b/c he was a prick. That location banked at the bank where my mom worked. After I quit, he tried to get my mom fired by claiming that he she had stolen money. Bank manager politely told him never to come back to the branch. Still makes me mad. I really hope Jeff the manager burns in hell. Other than that, the co-workers were great! We were all 15-17 and bitter. All the codes that passed from the cashiers to the cooks to the servers...we knew whose pizza to spit on and whose not to....memories....
 
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