It isn't often that you find someone who enjoys walking into work and especially not on a Friday night. My experience, however, was something out of the ordinary and the main reason behind it is the people I got to work with. My work family at this delicious local spot back home will always hold such a big place in my heart. They showed me what it means to enjoy where you work and the way I want to feel heading into my post-grad career and here is why:

1. Brand new relationships.

When I first started my job at this restaurant, I was concerned with how well I would get along with my coworkers and if it would be difficult to get comfortable with at least 30 new names and faces; however, one week down and I left work shocked at how I enjoyed actually working. The relationships you build with co-workers are so refreshing because these people in your lives are typically the only ones not concerned with your academic strength or the drama tied into high school. They get to know a part of you that you didn't really know you had- the not around teachers or family- you.

2. Learning how to communicate.

Having a job that requires you to devote all your energy towards people is a blessing and a curse. Working in a restaurant, the customer is always a priority even when they’re yelling in your face because they asked for no tomatoes. I learned how to deal with people that weren’t as easy as I hoped and the best course of action to take when things go sour. I was taught how to best present myself in front of those in a higher position than me and the ropes of communicating effectively.

3. Stress management.

On a Friday night in Dunedin, Florida a nice dinner out is the end goal of everyone’s post nine to five day. As a hostess, the stress builds as the reservation list grows and ‘walk-in’s’ seem to never stop. Working in a restaurant teaches you how to handle the stress of an extremely chaotic atmosphere while maintaining a calm and reserved attitude.

4. Becoming a ‘foodie’.

Let’s be honest with ourselves, being a foodie is a commitment. The restaurant I worked at had an extremely diverse menu that included everything from salads to smoked brisket to peanut butter dessert pie. My body began to think I was delusional with all the comfort food I consumed while working there. I became oddly interested in all the food combinations, I mean we’ve all heard about pineapple on pizza but how about peanut butter brussel sprouts? I may be behind a computer screen, but I know your face screams ‘in what world?’. Mine did too but after my first bite, it became a favorite and a recommendation to first-timers.

5. A whole new support system.

Granted I already expressed the excitement over meeting new faces and building a different type of relationship with individuals; I felt like the support system was deserving of its own reason. Working with the same people night after night for two years you grow to become so close to them. I could walk into work and tell them my insignificant 16-year-old concerns that possessed me and after a short 15-minute rant I shed the stress that paralyzed me through the day. After being reminded that my life truly isn’t as bad as I feel, being that my mom and dad financially support me still and that in a month I’ll forget that Branden from 5th period ignored me all week.

6. The regulars.

There is something special about the couples and individuals that make a home out of their favorite restaurant. Getting to a first name basis with all the servers that have had your table and trying almost everything on the menu, oddly enough, is on my bucket list once I’m settled down sometime in the far, far future. I met a couple that came in every Tuesday, greeting me with smiles and hugs. When I had a moment to rest I’d stop by the table and update them on my college wishes and high school fall-outs. Seeing them walk up to the door, I was instantly lifted to higher spirits and became excited to escape from the stress of the restaurant for a quick moment.

A huge 'thank you' to this place for showing me a wonderful first restaurant job and setting my standards ridiculously high for every job from this point on.

Sincerely,

the hostess with 'RBF', I promise I meant it when I said I loved this job