Top Of The Table

K-Lee

Dec. 1, 2001

Remember when you first waited tables? The other day, a friend and I visited a bar and grill where it all started for me. After being fired from my restaurant manager position at a well-known fast food restaurant, I landed a job at a busy joint, which featured burgers and beers. Working mostly lunch shifts, I was quickly immersed in the "greet `em, seat `em and feed `em" pace that is known as the lunch hour. That truly is a play on words because I cannot tell you how many times I have been informed that my table has only an hour for lunch. In my Ally McBeal world (which is a fantasy place in my head where I can reply any way I wish) I respond,
"No shit? Wow…I wonder if all of these other people wearing shirts, ties, skirts and pantyhose, who showed up in the same fifteen minute span of time have that same problem?"

As my friend and I enjoyed the free happy hour buffet and the two-dollar beers, I reminisced about my first waitressing job.

"I sucked when I worked here!"
I proclaimed as our very efficient waitress brought our brews. I thought back to how many of my thirsty guests went without a single refill. I felt badly for all of those mistakes I brought out to the table anyway. I recalled angry folks who thought I would never last and at that time, I hardly thought I would either.

Do you remember your first waiting job? Did you drop plates of food, burn yourself on machinery that was clearly labeled Caution-Hot, and cause cooks to cringe when they saw you punch in? It amazes me that over a decade later, here I am, still slinging eats. Luckily, I have greatly improved and have even climbed the hill of hating my job and promising never to return, to come down the other side and see the best points of waiting tables.

Amazing friends, a fast pace, making my own schedule and a suitable environment for promoting my art are all bonuses that keep me at it. The discounted food doesn't hurt at all as well as the ability to cover shifts when I need extra cash or give up shifts if I get a last minute art show scheduled. As a jewelry artist and clothing designer, I advertise by wearing my work. I have even sold a necklace I was wearing to a customer who admired it. When I told her I designed and created it, she asked if it was for sale. Of course it was and I earned an extra forty bucks that day. When guests comment on my jewelry, you can bet that a business card is dropped off and chatting with them about my work somehow adds a more human quality to me as a waitress, thus often times extracting a bigger tip. I am of course, a good server as well. At least much better than back in those dreadful few months at the bar and grill!