1. Carry around large sums of one-dollar bills.
No, bank teller, I am not a drug dealer or a stripper. Stop judging me. While we wish the bills were bigger than that, most nights average out with us walking out with absurd amounts of one-dollar bills versus twenties and fifties. Also most people have time to deposit their money into the bank, but not getting off until 11 P.M. or midnight can delay that a little.
2. Finding money that you forgot about.
Far too often I will take money out of my server book and put it somewhere and forget about it. It’s like Christmas every time I happen upon a wad of cash that I stuffed into my back pocket without thinking.
3. Also finding the weirdest things in your apron.
Inside my apron you will find everything from loose change to salt and pepper shakers. Don’t worry about needing a condiment when out to eat with servers because more than likely one of us has it. I’ve had friend pull a bottle of ketchup out of her apron before. Yes you read that correctly, a bottle.
4. Saying things like “heard” or “behind.”
I constantly catch myself saying “heard” to people and getting weird looks because I forget that people have no idea what I’m saying. I also have a really bad habit of saying “behind” while walking behind someone in the grocery store.
5. Remembering late at night after a shift that you forgot to get something for a table.
I’ve caught myself too many times laying in bed thinking about how I forgot to grab ranch for table 31 after dropping off their food. If only I could’ve remembered that when they actually needed it.
6. Somehow always ending up talking about work when you go out.
Most people leave work at home when they go out with friends, but not servers. The point of conversation almost always ends up going back to work in some way, shape, or form.
7. Having serving nightmares.
Any server will tell you that they have had a serving nightmare where they are in “the weeds” and that it’s the worst thing ever. AKA too busy and running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I’ve never felt more relief than when I wake up and realize that it didn’t actually happen.
8. Go out during the middle of the week.
Servers don't get to enjoy the normal Friday-Sunday weekend because those are the busiest days of the week for us, so usually it ends up with everyone going out on a random night during the middle of the week.
9. Carrying too many things at one time.
It's like a challenge, to see how many things we can carry back to the kitchen without grabbing a tray. It also sometimes turns into a party trick because it's a little impressive if you ask me.