There are many different jobs that involve working with the public. The one that I am most familiar with is serving. When I was younger, I didn't write down "server" as my dream job. I wrote down ballerina, singer, or even something along the lines of being a famous person. I never thought as a young girl that I would grow up and have the job of serving people, but that is where I ended up. In my mind, my serving career was only temporary. I would do it during my college years while I studied to get my degree in journalism. After serving for years and years, I've realized that it has definitely taught me some valuable life lessons.

1. I have learned to value any server, or public worker, that I come across.

Sometimes I’ll go out to eat with some friends, and I’ll mention to the server that I’m a server as well. They will always get the biggest smile on their face and you can see the relief. Some people don’t understand that being a nice customer can make your service that much better. You never know what kind of day that server has had, or what kind of customers they have been having to deal with. They are human too. Treat them with as much kindness as you would treat the company you decided to take to eat.

2. Your boss makes a difference.

I have had a countless number of bosses in my 3 years of working. Going into work is such a struggle sometimes. Going in on days where it’s beautiful outside, or on days that all of your friends have off can really put a downer on your days. I’ve had jobs where I dread going in, but I’ve also had jobs where my boss, and co-workers, will make it just as fun to be there.

3. You will always have a customer that isn’t the nicest.

We’ve all dealt with people who aren’t nice, but it’s so much harder when you live by the policy that the customer comes first. I’ve never been one to bite my tongue, but working with the public has definitely taught me to do so. Certain tables will run you, others will complain about everything, and then you get the table that ignores you to look at their phone. These are all things that you shouldn’t do at a restaurant or in any social setting. Give the respect to your server that you would want if you were in their position.

4. People really appreciate a good, hard-working server.

While you have the rude people, you will also get the really nice ones. The ones that reassure you that serving isn’t just about bringing people their food, but also about giving them good company and showing them honesty. Customers respect you telling them what you actually like on the menu, rather than just lying and saying it’s all good. I like to call these awesome people my “regulars.” All servers know that they have those few special people who keep coming back because they recognize that you’re not only a hard worker, but a genuinely nice person too.

5. Stay positive. Let go of the little mistakes.

You’re not going to go into a job and know everything. It’s going to be really messy at first, but that’s okay. You will make mistakes. I know people who have worked at the same job for years and they still forget things. It is FINE! Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m one of those people that doesn’t dwell on a mistake that I made, but I learn from it. More than likely, your coworkers and boss will appreciate you trying as hard as you were in the first place. Just keep your head up and keep trying to improve!

6. If you can’t afford to tip, then you can’t afford to eat out.

This is such a big one. I understand that going out to eat nowadays can be super expensive. Fast food gets old really fast, and having a nice, sit down meal is exactly what will hit the spot. What the public needs to realize is that the bill isn’t the only thing you have to pay. You also have to pay the young girl/boy that ran back and forth to get your refills, the one who made it a point to check up on you and make your experience enjoyable.

I have always said that I wish everyone had worked in a public setting. It really shows you how you want to be treated when you’re the server, and how you should treat people when you’re the customer.