1. People think you know EVERYTHING about your restaurant.

Customers tend to believe that employees are let in on the secrets of the corporate world of pancakes, I mean burgers. But the truth is, only about half of the employees at my store knew the B stood for burgers, and the other half literally hadn't even seen the ad until we put the poster up on the day of the B reveal. We aren't told much of anything other than what is already on the menu.

2. Breakfast food never gets old... ever.

This may not be true for everyone, but I swear I could eat breakfast for all meals of the day. There are so many options at IHOP, and you can create magical breakfast creations if you put enough thought (and menu searching) into it. I have been working here for months and still eat breakfast meals there almost every day that I work.

3. You literally can't not claim 100% tips.

I don't know how true this is elsewhere, but I quickly found out that you really can't just keep your cash tips and avoid taxation. Unless you have another job, or someone else's name on your lease, you can't even get approved to rent an apartment without proof that you make 3x rent, and without claiming 100% tips you legally, technically, make absolutely nothing.

4. Don't knock the burger until you try it!

I know, I KNOW! A burger from a pancake house sounds insane, ludicrous, whack-o, hootenanny! But trust your server, the new angus beef steakburgers are worth it. They are unexpected, thrown together concoctions that will surprise you if you give them the chance!

5. People aren't always able to understand that they're not your only priority.

I'm positive this happens at other restaurants as well, but very often people do not, can not, will not wrap their minds around the fact that they are not your only table, and you cannot only attend to only their needs. Yes, I know you still need ketchup. You asked 10 seconds ago, but I turned to the table next to you to greet them, which we have to do, within 30 seconds of them being seated, or we get in trouble. I will grab your ketchup in 30 seconds when I go to make their drinks. I'll even bring it to you before making their drinks, and throw in a few free extra napkins! But for the love of all that is holy UNDERSTAND that other tables also need your server. And, if you notice that all of the tables around you are asking your server for extra items and needing assistance, know they they will get back to you, but do not expect magic to happen.

SIDENOTE: we have to run food as it comes up. If a ticket comes up while we are making drinks, and no one else can run it, we have to run it. If you see your server carrying plates to a table before bringing your drinks it is not because they forgot or don't care about you. It is literally our job.

6. There will always be bad days, bad customers, and bad (or no) tips.

No matter what you do, you can't avoid bad experiences. Sometimes you just forgot napkins, or the kitchen is understaffed, or you spill an entire drink on a customer. It happens. It is okay. I promise. While there will always be a bad day, a customer who blames you for the kitchen's speed, or just rude people who don't realize tips are literally your wage, there's always going to be that great happy family, that hates to bother you for ketchup or refills, but is just to energetic and then tips you well. There's always that day you stack an arm of plates and carry it gracefully to an awed table. There will always be good days too.

7. Tips are literally my wage.

Yes, I get paid 2.13 an hour. I know, you can't believe it. I make BIG bucks. But, out of the 2.13 an hour goes not only the taxes of what I make hourly, but also the taxes of ALL of my tips. So say I make $600 in tips for my biweekly paycheck, I then have to pay taxes for $600, out of a 2.13 hourly wage. My lowest check thus far, $7.70, but that's better than my co workers. Many weeks their check is $0.00, or they get a lovely notice that they OWE the state for what they've worked the past two weeks. It's great!