Thursday, September 29, 2011

"No Negativity Aloud!"

As all of you are aware, I blog about my life as a server.  Some of my experiences are great, most are funny, and some are just plain bad.  The majority of the time I will be writing about my customers but, once in a while I will write about my coworkers.

A couple of posts back I wrote about Jessica and Jamie.  Jessica was the focus, as she will be today.

See, Jessica seems to have a monkey on her back these days.  When I first started she befriended me, which was great because most of the servers were really bitchy towards me and wouldn't give me the time of day.  Jessica was my savior.  She showed me the in's and outs on everything and helped me out a bunch when needed.  She was always so smiley and was very happy to help.  I appreciated that.

Recently, however, she has become a monster.  She comes to work mad, stays mad, and leaves mad.  Constantly complaining throughout her shift about why such and such got sat before her when she clearly was scheduled earlier, why so and so got an extra table when we are only aloud 3 at a time, why certain servers don't run drinks, or food, or do running side work.

Every time I walk into the kitchen I hear her complaining.  IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!

Now, I am almost always in a great mood.  I wake up happy, go to work happy, leave happy, and go to bed happy.  That might not sound realistic to some, and I haven't always been that way.  Over the years though, I have learned patience.  I've learned to let most things roll off my back and to not the negative affect my person.  Don't get me wrong, I do have bad days just like everyone else, I have just learned to handle them in a different way.  I stay composed, smile, and try to kill them with kindness.  It works for me.

I wish I could teach this to Jessica.  She let's all of the little things bother her and she holds on to it for quite a long time.  She has turned into such a negative person and I'm not diggin it.  She doesn't enjoy her job anymore and I just want to tell her..."Instead of repeatedly saying you're gonna find a new job, do it because you're bringing me down and I don't like it!". 

I have slowly started to separate myself from her because I am afraid she might break my wall down and pull me into her negative world.  I hope she catches on and either changes her attitude or she will be losing a friend.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

How Hospitable are You?

Today was my day off.  Usually, on my off days, I spend some quality time with the kids, I have 3 girls.  I almost always take them out to dinner and ice cream.  This gives them some "mommy" time and allows me to get a rundown on some of the things that are going on in their lives.  They are 10, 11, and 16. 

Today I let them pick where they wanted to go.  Most of the time we go to a place where we can sit down but today they just wanted a burger and fries.  My middle daughter had a craving for some cheese fries so it was decided that we would go to a popular food chain that I will not mention.

So, after deciding what everyone was going to order I pulled into the drive thru and this is how the conversation went:

"Can I take your order?" - Notice there wasn't a hello or welcome or anything of such a nature.

Me: "Yes, I would like 2 regular cheeseburgers...."

"Is that it?" - I was rudely cut off.

Me: "No ma'am, I would also like 2 small fries, 1 roadhouse bacon burger..."

"Will that be all?" - Cut off again.

Me: "Um, no.  Could I get 2 bacon cheddar cheese fries please and that will be all thank you."

I heard a response but the words weren't recognizable.

Now, I am a bit irritated but I'm thinking that maybe this lady will change her tone once I pull up to pay.  As I make my way to the window I see it open and the woman sticks her head out the window to wait for me pull ahead.  I get to the window....

"$14.58" - then she walks away.

There was no "That will be $14.58 please." and not even a smile.  She just told me my total and walked away from me before I could even give her my money.  I then proceeded to sit there for 5 minutes, yes I counted,  all the while listening to her and her fellow coworkers make fun a customer that had just left.
She finally returned with my food and again I was greeted with...

"$14.58" - I say nothing and hand her exact change.

"Here" - She said as she handed me my bag.  She didn't say "Thank You" or even tell me to "Have a good evening".

What bothers me about this entire encounter was that the woman who had served me was a manager.  If the manager was presenting herself in that fashion I can just imagine how her employees carry themselves when working.

I have asked myself so many times over the years what ever happened to good old fashioned customer service.  Remember the days when you'd go to a place, any place, and be greeted with smiles.  People used to make you feel welcome and were willing, and able, to help you with anything you may need.  They always new the answer to your questions and were happy to oblige.

Nowadays, it's like nobody cares about anything.  You are made to feel like you are inconveniencing the person who you are asking to help you.  It's like you are being made to feel stupid.  Like, how dare I invade your personal space to ask if you may direct me the the women's department.  Or what the hell was I thinking when I called to get my account balance for my utility bill.  So irresponsible of me not to pack my lunch today and instead, I decided to patronize your establishment for some much needed nourishment.  I am such a terrible person.  BULLSHIT!!!

It just burns me up inside how these so called "customer service" people act.  What the hell did I ever do to you?!  Not a goddamn thing.  I deserve a little respect.  Especially since the money I am spending at your place of business contributes to your salary.  If you don't like your job then find a new profession.  If you do like your job then act like it.  If I am courteous and respectful to you then you should give the same in return.  I am sorry your day may not be going the way you wanted it to go but I am not "Crazy Larry" who just cursed you out for putting ketchup on his burger when he specifically told you no ketchup.  I am me, a totally different customer.  One who spoke nicely to you and said please and thank you.  I didn't raise my voice and even gave you a compliment.  SO GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE!  Stop trying to spread your misery onto to me.  You'll be surprised at how a smile can make the biggest difference.  Just try it...at least when you are waiting on me, please?  Thank you.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Snitching on the Snitches!

So, after a week of being overcome by a bad case of the flu I was finally able to make it back to work.  The night started out just like any other.  A little slow at first, then a nice little rush, and then it was like a ghost town.

I was in an exceptionally great mood.  There was, however, a moment when I thought I was going to have to let the other side of myself show it's ugly face.  Which, by the way, very rarely is seen by others outside of my home...lol.

I was scheduled to close, along with Jessica and Randy.  Randy is a pretty good closer, comparable to me.  He's laid back and doesn't really complain if someone happens to skip out on doing their tables or sidework before they leave.  I'm the same way. We really don't mind the extra work as long as it isn't in excess.  It's not a big deal to us.  Jessica, on the other hand, is completely opposite.  I think we all know the type.  You know, the one's that watch everyone like a hawk and keeps a count on who does and does not do what they are supposed to do instead of worrying about themselves.  Then they run to the manager at the end of every shift with their list and "snitch" on those who weren't "following the rules".

Now don't get me wrong.  Jessica is my "at work" friend and she's pretty cool as long as we aren't talking about anything work related.  Recently though, she has almost become unbearable to work with.  On the night in question we emptied out pretty quickly and were down to closers 3.5 hours before closing time.  I was pretty psyched because I knew if we got a little busy that could be extra cash in my pocket.  This was not the case for Jessica.  I guess she looked at it as this would mean she would be able to pay extra special attention to everyone so she could make sure they did all their work before they high tailed out of there.  She zeroed in on one server in particular, Jamie.

A little background on Jamie.  She's a GREAT server.  She always has a smile on her face, and in her voice.  She gets tons of requests, and I'm not exaggerating.  She always does her running sidework, runs food constantly, and always follows the "full hands in", "full hands out", rule.  She never skips out on her tables or silverware.  She is always getting compliments on her service and has even received some really great letters from customers that have thought her service was exceptional.  Only one negative, she's best friends with one the hostesses so her station ALWAYS stays full, but that's another subject.  This one negative, however, is why Jessica always has one eye on her.

On this, very very slow night, Jessica had it out for Jamie from the beginning.  Unfortunately for Jamie,she fell right into Jessica's trap.  See, Jamie apparently didn't do any sidework before she left and Jessica was furious.  Of course, Randy and I really weren't paying attention and really didn't care but Jessica made sure her voice was known.  To us and to the MOD.

This is what bothers me.  WHAT'S THE BIG F*%#ING DEAL?!  It really gets under my skin these coworkers who just feel it is their duty to "keep an eye" on others and then run and tell, like a child.  This isn't kindergarten and we are not 5 years old.  "Oh, I'm sorry but I must have been absent on the day they promoted you to Manager".  I'll tell you this, you're not gonna make too many friends either.  And when that day comes, when you need someone to work for you or switch shifts with you, or maybe you just need a favor...well, let's just say sorry for your luck.  Nobody likes a tattle tale.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

So Sorry....

I have to apologize for not posting in a while.  I have been overcome with a bad case of the flu.  I am back to work ronight and am looking forward to sharing some stories with you all soon.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Is It Really That Stressful?

Hello all.  I have recently came down with the flu so I am apologizing in advance if my entry today sounds random.  So back to bed I go...enjoy!

Waiting tables can sometimes be very stressful but is it really that bad? 

A few days ago, after a dry spell, business started picking up a little at work.  September is our slowest month of the year.  The entire waitstaff have been fighting for shifts for about a month now so it was a breath of fresh air to finally have a full house for the past few days. It was "good eatin" for all involved.

Sometimes, after a long, busy, night, after I am home and trying to wind down, I will go over some of the events of the evening.  One of the things that always seems to pop up is the story of the server that was so weeded he/she lost their damn mind.  I am picturing a scene from the Exorcist right now.  Red, bulging eyes, tongue flaring out of the mouth throwing obscenities everywhere, violent thrashing of the body...ew!

I have come to the realization that some of my coworkers are possessed.  I mean is it really that bad?  Sure, I have had many a night where I found myself in a position when I thought I would never get caught up, but nobody sees that part of me.  Cathy, one of my "at work" friends, said to me the other day, "Terry, don't you ever get frustrated, mad, frazzled when you are working?  You seem so calm all the time.  And why are you always smiling?  Do you like working here that much?" .  I responded, smile and all, " This is a piece of cake.  I love serving, that's all.". I really don't understand how serving could affect someone so badly that it caused them to completely lose their minds.  My thought is that maybe these people aren't very organized, in there heads and in their lives.

My job is the least stressful part of my life.  I get to meet new and interesting people all the time.  It's really weird but you know how some people escape from their lives by maybe meditating, taking a class, having a night on the town?  Well, my escape is work.  I only work approximately 20-30 hours a week but it's the best 20-30 hours.  Why?  I really don't know, I just really like my job.
If you are serving and find yourself slowly being pulled into insanity at work might I suggest something before you start randomly screaming at people for no reason?  Chill the "f" out!!!  Come to work with a plan.  Get yourself together man!  It is, however, just serving.  It's not that bad.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The Hostess with the Mostess...Not!

So, my night started out like every other night.  I walked into work with a big smile and was ready to make that money.  I am always anxious to see what section I have been assigned and am, of course, always hopeful that it will be a good one.

Every shift, as I walk in the door, I say hi to the host/hostess.  This is my signal that I am here and that they can seat me a table when they come to my name in the rotation.  Rotation, let's talk about that for a minute.  The servers at my workplace are put on a list from first in to last out.  It is procedure for first in to get the first 2 or three tables that come in and then the hostess is required to start rotation.  This is something that is almost always followed except when you have, we'll call her Marjorie, at the stand.

I stop by the host stand, per my ritual, say hi to Marjorie, look at the floor plan to see what my section will be and then make my way to the kitchen.  As I'm walking I notice my section is empty which excites me because I know I won't have to wait for my section to empty before I can actually start working. Or so I thought. As I get my uniform in order I take a second to look out into the dining room.  To my surprise, Marjorie has sat my section already so I scurry to the time clock to clock in, only 10 minutes early by the way.  Walking out of the kitchen I notice another server greeting my table, or so I thought.  Not only had Marjorie sat my section, she had this other server pick up the table as if she hadn't just spoke to me a few minutes before.

I instantly was irritated and this is why.  The server who took the table, well, his section was adjacent to mine, and empty I might add.  Now normally the other server would consult with you and it would be decided that you would just trade a table so we would be equal.  This, however, was not the case.  There was no trade.  On top of that, Marjorie proceeded to then fill his entire station.  This left me with only one empty table in my section (servers are only allowed 2 and 3 table sections).

Now, I'm seeing red.  I made my way back to the kitchen to wait for "Barry" so I could make another attempt to convince him to let me have one of his tables.  Not an option, so I make a joke saying "You have 30 minutes to get that table turned".  A few laughs were exchanged and he disappeared back into the dining room.

At this point I am not only growing more irritated with Barry but I am furious with Marjorie. See, Marjorie thinks that it is more important that her friends, all of which are single and have no children, are more important than everyone else and that they need the money more so she will ALWAYS proceed to sit and fill their stations for them regardless of where they are on the rotation.  She will always make sure her friends stations stay full all night until they are cut.  She seems to think that no one else could possibly need to make more money than her friends.  Like I don't have children to put through school, or a mortgage payment every month, car payment, utility bills, etc.

These concerns have been brought to the managers attention many times by numerous people and still nothing is being done.  Now, I could be like some of the other servers and confront her about the situation however, then I wouldn't make any money ever.  I can picture my section now, little mini dust tornadoes blowing by followed by the tumbleweeds.  It would look like an old, abandoned, western town...no one in sight.

Needless to say, my table was occupied for 2 1/2 hours.  On a night where I would normally break $100 not closing, I walked with $75.  So disappointing!

Anyways, I had to vent and will probably do so, often.  Any advice on how to handle the situation will be welcomed and appreciated.  Now I'm off to play another round of the "waiting game".  Ciao!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Introducing...The Waiting Game

Well, I guess I should start out by introducing myself to the world.  My name is "Terry" and as you may have figured out by my blog title I am a waitress.  I've been in the biz for a lot of years and consider myself a "service professional".

I am very new to this blogging thing but am really excited to start sharing some of my experiences and maybe learn a few things in the process. 

Over the past few months I have been reading blogs and articles related to the hospitality industry and have contemplated for quite a while now on whether I should start my own blog.  Going over the pros and cons.  Everything I have been reading so far has been very informative as well as entertaining and I can definitely relate to alot of subjects.  So, all in all, I think this will be a great experience for me and serve as an outlet to share my stories, vent a little, and possibly give/receive some advice from others who share in my pain...lol.

So, please, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.