Wednesday, September 16, 2009

"your personal slave"

Its funny how we don't necessarily ponder over something until we are placed in the situations ourselves.

Let me explain:

My name is Olivia. Olivia Roskos. No one calls me that though its always "liv" or "livers" or "liver and onions" which is oddly suitable for the restaurant business:)

I work at Sizzlers as a waitress part time while trying to finish up my senior year on top of figuring out what I want to do with my life:)

Waitressing is a lot of fun though so I can't complain. Its also taught me quite a bit about people in general. For instance:

Whenever I ask some random person at the grocery store how they are doing its always " Oh great, but hey I'm in a real hurry lets caught up another time k?" but when you are going crazy waiting on 15 different tables its a little different story. I didn't know a quick " how are you?" would lead to...

" Well, ACTUALLY my great Aunt Mertil just got a foot infection, my face got stung by a bee, and I gained half a pound from the cheese toast last time I was here!!"

Hmm...maybe I should of not asked?"


And then we always have the "unpredictable" Mr. critical doesn't waste a minute to let you know that his steak is well..." I asked for medium, but this looks somewhere between medium and almost medium well but yeah...can I just get a recook?" So I take it back.

" Here you go sir, here is a recook, now is there anything else I can get for you?"

" Well, mam actually could you have them maybe recook it again and maybe make it a little less medium, maybe somewhere between medium rare and medium."

" Oh sure in all my spare time!" ( hey, I didn't say that just thought it;) "Yes, sir I'll be right back!"

We can't forget the "silent mysterious readers," those kind I like the best! They would rather be left only with there ice cold glass of water and small plate of salad then be bugged repeatedly...

" Hey! are you done with that plate YET?"

Everytime I come around another plate is carefully cleaned and stacked neatly along with the others.

"I'm sorry but is there any way I can bug you for another napkin? I mean, if its not that much trouble?" They smile at me sheepishly.

" No, you don't get more napkins, I mean you only used two plates and drank a fourth of a glass of water why of course not!"

:)

" Well, anyways here is 10 dollars for all the trouble I put you through!

" Hey Trouble, come in more often and I'll be happy to wait on you!"

"More than any other thing as I'm starting to realize my true coffee snob ways- I'm also realizing the large group of fellow people sharing in this fault.

How was I supposed to know its the "golden rule" to " at all times keep the cup full or you just might get attacked with a knife and pitchfork!" YIKES!! Wish someone would have told me sooner:)

Maybe someday I'll have my guests figured out but until then I guess I will have to be content being "their personal slave!"

:)

6 Comments:

Blogger Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

I waited tables for years. There is no other job like it. By the time I quit, I hated it and hated people. I think I stayed too long, lol

September 16, 2009 at 5:46 PM  
Blogger Tracey said...

Aren't you fun...look at it this way,you are in mom training, learning to do for other with a great attitude...even when they are having a bad day. Children are not always sweet to their moms! Blessings to u and keep writing!

September 16, 2009 at 9:16 PM  
Blogger Martha A. said...

You are funny! Life of a waitress....

September 16, 2009 at 9:41 PM  
Blogger Hope Chastain said...

Tricia sent me! Thanks for the great insights into waitressing! I could have used it when I was writing the book set in the diner. (The one that got rejected! *g*) Keep up the good work, hang in there, and remember, you could be working as a cashier, where not only are the people sometimes rude (in addition to giving you long answers to "how are you") but also sometimes give you fake money... Not good! (Keep an eye on the tips, too. Make sure the money's real!) *hug*

September 16, 2009 at 9:50 PM  
Blogger Griffmom said...

Tricia sent me but I'm staying for the great thoughts!! I too payed my way through life waiting tables for most of it! It's not a job for the weak of mind, heart or spirit for sure and everyone should be required to work a few weeks just to understand that!! Good job :-)

September 17, 2009 at 1:37 AM  
Blogger watsit2u said...

I'm glad Tricia (Goyer) sent out this blog!!! When I started my working life, I made a choice that I never wanted to work in the food industry or the janitorial industry. I have my reasons. BUT the main one is that I so admire those that work these jobs because I couldn't handle it and it needs to be done. I thank you for your service! I tend to be one of the "silent mysterious readers". I am way nice to my servers and generously tip. Especially when in a business group meeting because I know many of my colleagues are poor tippers! (yet, they are more demanding than I am...go figure!)

Keep up the great work, writing included!!!

September 17, 2009 at 2:01 AM  

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