There are a lot of things people know to be true if they've worked in a restaurant, whether they were the owner, a manager, a server, or a cook. Some things we all can laugh about, others, we share each others' pain. Some of the most common points are listed here.
1. You never stop working.
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You think to yourself, "Is this what adult life is like?" No, it's just the kitchen life.
2. Because of that, you always ache.
From your feet to your knees to your hips and up to your back, it all hurts. Not to mention all the burns and cuts that come from the job as well. Beware the fryer oil.
3. Nothing ever works the way it's supposed to.
McDonald's ice cream machine comes to mind. Either it's the pilot light is out, which is an easy fix, or the dishwasher is making some weird noise. Have mercy on the poor souls in the kitchen when the hood vents aren't running properly.
4. It's rare to have everything in stock.
I swear, the only days we have everything in the restaurant is when the delivery truck comes.
5. Running out of food is a struggle.
I've seen it too many times; the waiter/waitress takes an order just to find out that we don't have the key component in stock, so they go back to their table and ask what they'd like instead. They place their order once more, to find out that yet again, we don't have that item. It's like the customers know.
6. You wonder as to how some people can keep their job.
In an industry where you have to get product out quickly, you have people that work slower than molasses on a winter day. How do they keep their job?
7. Kitchen staff are some of the most vulgar people you'll ever work with.
From calling each other A-holes and dropping multiple F bombs in sentences, kitchen staff are proficient with profanity. Don't get offended. It's our culture.
8. However, they are some of the best friends you'll make in the workforce.
I've made some of my best friends in restaurants by embracing the suck that is your shift with one another.
9. Please, PLEASE, don't come in 15 minutes before the restaurant closes.
Why do people think it's okay to do this? We're almost done cleaning up. We're ready to go home. It's 10:45, people. What are you doing out?
10. Also, changing every last thing on a menu item isn't easy for us.
It's a true test of communication; from your mouth to the server, from what the server thinks you're saying, relayed into the kitchen, and it trickles down from there. Please, if you have to change something, have it be something small.
11. Being the only person on the line is not a good time.
Maybe you showed up early for your shift before everyone else, or they all took a smoke break at the same time, but being the guy in this situation is no fun. There are a million and one things going on, and it can be overwhelming if you aren't experienced enough to handle it.
12. The rush.
I'm sure everyone has heard of the 'lunch rush' or the 'dinner rush.' Some days can have little pops here and there, and other nights you get it in huge waves as every table in the house gets sat and all the tickets hit at once. Stock up while you can, make sure you have a cup of water ready. You'll need it.
13. The heat.
Especially in the summer, kitchens get hot with all of the ovens and grills and fryers and rangetops. It's not unusual to leave your shift with a sweat-soaked shirt.
14. The stylish footwear.
Non-slip shoes are incredibly practical for food service workers, but come on, they all look like knock-off Crocs. Why can't we get decent looking work shoes?
15. How satisfying a smooth shift can be.
When nothing goes wrong and you don't run out of a single thing all shift... Sounds like a dream come true, right? These shifts are hard to come by, good luck in having one.
16. Say goodbye to your sleep schedule...
Do you primarily work nights? Say hello to waking up in the afternoon now.
17. ...and your social life.
The restaurant is your friend now. You won't have time for anyone else.
18. The hours are always there.
This is probably the best thing about the business. There will always be hours when you need them. Do you take morning classes? You'll work the night shift. Have to pick up the kids after school? Welcome to the morning shift. Restaurants are incredibly flexible, and they'll treat you good as long as you're good to them.
