It's a true statement and anyone who has worked in food service will back me up on this. We hate you. We hate everything about you. We hate that you're stealing our smoke break, we hate that you walked in right when we were trying to accomplish something. We hate you because you walked in and for the first time that day, we're trying not to accomplish something.
Sometimes we're more specific in our hate. We hate your laugh or perhaps the way you appear look down on us. The fact that you can't remove your eyes from our tits, or that you believe because we're waiting tables we must be unsuitable for any other sort of "real" job.
Oh yes.. we loath you in every possible way.
Now, before you get all uppity and " Why, oh why Jessica?! That's absurd! How dare you..." or something along those lines.
We hate you most of all because -you- are in control of our primary source of income.
We all know, or should know, that waitresses and waiters make.. Well.. nothing. They make shit-for-all on the general scale of income save in a few savvy areas of the country, but what everyone tends to forget is that most employers literally depend on you, the diner, to pay for their employee.
When a member of waitstaff quits a waiting job, their reason isn't " My paychecks weren't large enough," it's " I don't make shit in tips!". Now, we could say that this is because of the service provided, but let me tell you what, the waitress is the face of an establishment and therefore the whipping boy.
Food isn't cooked right, it's the waiter's fault. I have personally have been handed fish from a chef and taken it to a table raw in the middle. Not once, not twice, but three times while being assured each time with " It's completely done.. I'll ruin it if I leave it in longer." I will tell you this, it wasn't the chef who lost 15% from the meal value on their check or took a hit in any sort of way.... It was this guy right here. Why? Out of sight, out of mind.
You really have to suck at your job as a waitress to have someone ask for the manager, and even then, most of the time, -you- are the problem. In everything, there are humans that just suck at being human. There are some customers that simply cannot be pleased and there is waitstaff that should never be allowed to touch a plate, but honest to god, in this world, it's generally the former. Shitty waitstaff doesn't last very long... Shitty diners? Well.. we haven't figured out a legal way to get rid of you fuckers yet.
But back to the prime point... You are responsible for nearly over half our pay. OVER HALF! A lot of times even more then that! The average waitress is paid around $40.00 to $120.00 a week respectively. This varies also when examining geographical location.
Now, you tell me if you can make any sort of head way with those numbers and get back to me.
No? Well then...
Right away we have a situation where both parties feel they "deserve" better. The diner better service and the waitstaff better customers.
As a whole, waiting tables is a form of theatrics. We have to make you like us. Simply serving a table isn't going to make you leave us a tip that's worth our while. You know it, we know it. So right off the rip, we feel as though we're being judged and as a whole, human beings don't respond well to being judged. We just don't.
With just these circumstances covered, you can begin to gather why we hate you. Add the other responsibilities that have to get done during opening hours or within a half hour of closing, dash on that most waitstaff doesn't get paid for any amount of after hour pick up (If somewhere closes at 8pm and your closing chores aren't finished until 8:45pm.. sorry for your luck. Yes it's illegal but you try doing something about it) sore feet, working with the public in general (This goes for any job. You work with the public, you hate the public) taking orders from strangers and an equally crabby, sweaty cook or chef who is, 96.8% of the time an asshole and considers themselves head and shoulders above you in intellect.. And well, you should be happy you're not getting daily skin graphs from having hot liquids dumped on your sensitive bits.
Or getting close and personal with one of these guys in your hash browns.
But there is an upside! All it takes is a smile and a joke.. Hell even a "Waiting tables sucks..." Next time you're waitress looks out of sorts, try simply being kind to them. They are waiting on you, praying for your kindness. We understand the economy sucks, probably more then anyone and at the end of the day, the all mighty dollar is still less important then our fellow man. Just be a human. They're doing their best and honest to god, we don't want to hate you. We really don't. I can't tell you how many times that " one customer" turned my shit day around with a wink and a " You did a great job". At that point, I didn't give a damn what they laid on the table for tip. That gesture meant more to me then any amount of money ever did, even with all things considered...No, it's not -your- job... But its a hell of a nice god damned thing to do... And even if you don't, we'll never show you that we hate you. We'll simply continue to visualize beating you to death with a coffee cup. ^^'
Be kind.
Be sane.
Be human.
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