It was the summer right before I started my senior year in high school, and I knew time was running out when it came to finding a job, for I needed to start making money for college. My first official job was as hostess at a local restaurant, and after working for about a year, I was offered the position to become a waitress for the summer when I would return from college. And, boy, am I glad I took the opportunity. For those who say that waitressing is a horrible experience and not worth the time, I’d have to disagree. Yes, some days are painfully slow, but waitressing has taught me how to enhance skills such as communication, patience, and handling my own money.

For communication skills, I had to go from a simple greeting to holding a conversation. As a hostess, I would answer the phone for to-go orders and the phone always startled me when it rang, causing me to jump in the middle of what I was doing. Now, I get to engage in conversation with the customers along with listening to their wants and needs in order to make their meal and visit satisfactory. Sometimes I forget that the little boy ordered sweet tea while his mom and dad ordered unsweetened tea, but it is an easy mix up and a quick fix. I will admit, I have messed up and forgotten to put someone’s order in, but once I realize, I quickly place it in, tell my manager, and apologize to the table and offer an alternative while they wait. It happens, and everyone makes mistakes, and some customers know that. I can see improvements because when I tell customers about going to George Mason and my major, they compliment me and say I would “be very good at my major,” which is definitely uplifting after a long shift.

As for patience, I remember my sixth grade math teacher always reminding my class that patience is a virtue. When I first started out as a waitress and I got double sat, meaning my section was assigned to customers twice in a row, I instantly started to freak out because I hadn’t even given my first table their drinks. Everything felt like slow motion: the customers on my current table, taking their time ordering, and the people walking down the walkway seemed to stop. It was as if they did not know I had other tables to wait on. But what I should have known was that it was okay to walk by the table that was sat and let them know that I will be with them in a moment. They can see that I am helping another table and will be with them shortly, and that I'm not blowing them off. Patience is key when dealing with customers; they do not like to be rushed, whether it is when they are ordering, eating, or paying the check. By showing patience, it gives the customers ease and supplies a comfortable environment.

Last but not least, I have become much better at saving my money. Being a waitress, the minimum wage is $2.13, and we depend on the tips left on the small dotted line. The money is instant. Printing the credit card receipts and the report that is owed to the house, the money leftover is mine to keep, or even owed to me. Upon receiving my tip money at the end of the night, I like to put 60 to 70 percent of what I earned away in safekeeping, not touching it at all, and at the end of the summer I am going to deposit it all in my bank account. It feels rewarding to have that much money saved up all from my hard work just by making people happy, rather than spending it all right away on new clothes or food.

Growing up, I have learned that I tend to put other people’s needs before my own, which is why waitressing isn’t that awful for me. It keeps me busy over the summer and has given me some extra spending money for when I want to go out with friends. If you’re looking for a first job, I definitely recommend waitressing for the benefits like the quick rewards, just do not forget to add that amazing smile.