working as a server | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Food Drink

'Meeting Your Step Goal' And 12 Other Things People Who Have Experience In The Food Industry Know To Be True

It's hard. But it's SO worth it.

200
'Meeting Your Step Goal' And 12 Other Things People Who Have Experience In The Food Industry Know To Be True

I've only been working in the food industry for a total of three months now. But in that time I have learned a lot about what it takes to do it. The skill, the patience, and how hard it is to actually be a waitress.

One of the best ways to earn money as a young adult is by working in a restaurant. Working in a restaurant is unique and may change certain aspects of your personality to make you heartier and able to deal with all sorts of people.

If you've ever worked in the food industry (whether as a waitress/waiter or behind the scenes cooking, managing etc.) here are 13 things you definitely know to be true.

1. You will probably go home smelling like the food you served (or cooked) that night

food

Pizza, chicken, beef bourguignon, burgers, and more.

2. You WILL spill or break something at some point

broken glass

You will break a glass or plate (sometimes both). You will spill wine, beer, water, etc down your shirt. And you will forget someone's order. It happens. It's inevitable. And you can't do much about it.

3. You interact with TONS of different people

serving

Old or young, rich or poor, and rude or kind, etc. All of these different types of people and more.

4. The leftovers!!!

leftovers

Chances are if you work in the food industry, you might, at some point, get a chance to take home leftover and they're usually pretty good.

5. Rude customers or people in general

rude

Not everyone you meet/serve/encounter and so on are going to be nice people. It's a part of the job sometimes.

6. Knowing or memorizing the menu

menu

And then (or if) a guest ask being able to recite it back or explain what is in each item.

7. Standing on your feet during 6-8 hour shifts is surprisingly decent exercise

Not only are you standing, but you're also walking a TON. Fun Fact: the most amount of steps I've recorded so far from working an eight-hour shift is just over 15,000 steps!! (pictured above)

8. A LOT of food is thrown away

food waste

Like a lot. It's kinda sad. One of the major things that I have taken away from Working on the food industry is just how much food is actually thrown away, or not eaten, especially when it comes to a buffet.

9. Passing apps is one of the best parts

appetizers

Not only do you get to interact more with people, but you get to see the enjoyment of the people you are passing them to.

10. The unique lingo

words

I think my favorite part of working in the food industry for the past few months has been learning all the new lingo and ways that things are done.

11. Resiliency

resilient

Time can either go by super fast or super slow. Depending on what you are doing and especially during dinner service. In addition to being fast-paced, restaurants or events are also sometimes demanding.

12. The difficulty of carrying plates or a tray

carrying plates

Trust me! It's harder than it looks.

13. Learning how to set a table for a fancy party

table setting

One of the many things you will never forget. On the fine dining side of the food industry, you learn how to properly set a table for a big party. (Note: the picture above is just one of the many ways to do so. Also, you won't always need every piece of silverware or glassware that you have.)

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2076
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1255
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200480
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21065
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments