I started waitressing at the age of 16 and haven’t stopped since then. I’ve always loved helping and meeting new people and figured this was the best part-time job for me. However, as the years gone by I can’t help but feel the need to clarify that there's a lot more to this job than just taking orders and serving food. So I came up with 9 things you should know before being a waiter/waitress.
1. How much you get paid.
Not everyone is aware of a waitress/waiter minimum wage ($2.13), which means not everyone is aware that the money you make comes from tips. However, if you calculate the math, you're earning about $10-20 hourly with tips, which is indeed sufficient, but not everyone is a generous tipper.
2. Not everyone is friendly.
Even after putting your best foot forward not everyone reciprocates the same energy. I'm not saying every encounter will consist of mean or grumpy people, but they are unavoidable. Just remember to keep it together and be patient.
3. Not every wrong order is the waitstaff's fault.
I'll be the first to admit that there have been times I've forgotten to place an order or make an entrees modification but even then not every mistake is the waitress/waiter fault. Truth is somewhere between ringing in the order, the kitchen receiving it, the chef cooking and the waitstaff serving the food, something may have gone wrong.
4. Being patient and polite goes a long way.
Patience is vital in many situations. Some people wait over an hour for their significant other. Some people run you around like they're the only table you're serving. Some people sit for hours just chatting their day away. All these situations are frankly unavoidable, so again remember to be patient and polite.
5. How much longer?
Sometime during your shift, you'll probably think, "will I make it through today?" Whether it's because of a sleepless night, a bad hair day, or just being ready to run home, you'll turn to the clock and think, "how much longer til' closing time?"
6. Always go above and beyond.
Regardless of who you're dealing with always go above and beyond with every table. Giving quality service will probably land you a good tip and returning customers, so it's a win-win.
7. Those last-minute customers.
But really, why? Who even thinks it's a good idea to walk in 5 minutes before closing?
8. Nothing sucks more than side work.
Seriously nothing sucks more than the side work after your shift. BRING ON THE SILVERWARE.
9. Learning more than anticipated.
Being a waiter/waitress isn't always as easy as it seems, but through this job, you're learning a lot more than you think. For instance, the importance of first impressions and making sure you appropriately present yourself. Because this job requires you to talk to new people every day, you'll get the chance to improve your communication skills. And without realizing it, you'll develop numerous skills that will benefit you in your future job(s). So, bring your best self and get ready to kick a** at work.
