The premise of this blog is all about being a server. More specifically, how I, deal with being a server. And 95% of the posts will be work related. (Ironically- when I just typed "related", I missed the "r" and typed "elated"...BWAAAAHAHAHA...moving on)
But we all clock out at sometime.
And when I'm not working- I'm at school or at some theatre in town.
I will say this...I can PROMISE you that I will never whine about broken hearts or boys. (It's part of my new leaf). That stuff will be confined to more productive things- like Facebook notes.
Today at work was fairly uneventful- although folks, when you make reservations for 12. And you see we're on a wait. And I have no empty tables I can pull up to your already set up table and you show up with 13 people, please just sit the hell down and move over to make room for your free-loading friend who just wants the free lunch and doesn't care about Melissa's birthday or Dwane's baby. K? Thanks?
Had a table of 4 women. All worked on the Arsenal (they had on badges). All had some very classy brand name purse that I could never afford to buy (unless a friend scams one for me in an underground shop in NYC). All had iPhones. They get their food pretty fast. Tons of refills. I even cracked jokes. And of course, cause it was MY table, they got great service. I go to clean off the table and see that 3 out of the 4 women left me 2 bucks. What did the 4th woman leave me? 6! Thanks awesome lady. You must have been a server before you got that big ol fancy job.
But, back to the matter at hand.
I've been having a theatre mid life crisis lately.
I'm very passionate about a few projects and it feels like no one else is.
...then I re-read this.
http://adearaccount.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/the-one-where-i-brag-and-plug/
And remembered that I do have people on my side.
And they are hella talented. (and soon, well like 6 or 7 years, I can direct kids shows and cast their hella talented spawn in my hella awesome show...)
And so...as I write this random post- I get choked up thinking about "Liz". And what that show actually meant. And how the poster signed by the amazing cast is in my kitchen greeting me every morning when I get my coffee. How the article from the Times is on my fridge along with a print out of the review Chuck Puckett wrote. How my mom called me today and said she wanted to come into town for the Wings Awards because she just knows that "Liz" is going to sweep. And how I thank God everyday for the lady who wrote this (and her hubby) because without them- that show, and my life, wouldn't have been what it is.
So, to wrap up, the next time you go out to eat- maybe talk to your server (if they aren't swamped) about what they do outside work.
.....And leave them that extra dollar.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
If I HAD a million dollars....
The past few weeks, the ladies and I have been pooling our money together and buying lottery tickets.
We bought one early last week and didn't win.
And neither did anyone else so the pot went up.
If we won, each server and our hostess would get AT LEAST 19million a piece.
...after taxes.
Early this week we pooled money together again to try and get that 19million each.
(we had decided that we didn't win the first time because the victory was going to be so much sweeter since we had the "company morale" meeting and we could all go in after winning and quit)
We all started to think about what we would do with our 19million.
Of course, first off, everyone said they would quit their jobs.
After that, everyone seemed to have these grandiose plans for their share.
Around the world trips, head to toe plastic surgery, mansions on the beach.
Maybe I'm just not a dreamer but my plans were not so grand.
Number One, I would buy my mom a small house in Fort Lauderdale. And pay off her car. I'd buy my grandmother a house. And hire a full time nurse for her.
Then I would make sure I had enough money set aside for textbooks and tuition for the next few years.
I would then buy myself a small house in 5 Points and pay off my car.
I would get Lasik surgery for my eyes and fix my teeth.
I would give some to a group of friends who want to start a theatre in town.
I'd also give a fair ammount to EACH theatre in town.
I would make sure that the White's were properly re-paid for EVERYTHING they have ever done for me.
And then, just save whatever was left. Invest wisely.
...I am not an incredibly religious person. I believe in a higher power and I am very spiritual. And I pray. So I prayed. We all prayed.
We all thought it would be such a cool story. These disgruntled waitresses- some single mom's, some working their way through school, some who never get to see their husbands because they work night shifts and we work days- winning the lottery and being set up for life.
Well today, I found out- we did win!
...7.00$
I guess we weren't specific enough with our prayers. He answered them, just not in the way we thought. I got a little chuckle out of that.
So we're taking that 7.00$ and buying another set of tickets.
Maybe next time???
Happy Gambling!!!
We bought one early last week and didn't win.
And neither did anyone else so the pot went up.
If we won, each server and our hostess would get AT LEAST 19million a piece.
...after taxes.
Early this week we pooled money together again to try and get that 19million each.
(we had decided that we didn't win the first time because the victory was going to be so much sweeter since we had the "company morale" meeting and we could all go in after winning and quit)
We all started to think about what we would do with our 19million.
Of course, first off, everyone said they would quit their jobs.
After that, everyone seemed to have these grandiose plans for their share.
Around the world trips, head to toe plastic surgery, mansions on the beach.
Maybe I'm just not a dreamer but my plans were not so grand.
Number One, I would buy my mom a small house in Fort Lauderdale. And pay off her car. I'd buy my grandmother a house. And hire a full time nurse for her.
Then I would make sure I had enough money set aside for textbooks and tuition for the next few years.
I would then buy myself a small house in 5 Points and pay off my car.
I would get Lasik surgery for my eyes and fix my teeth.
I would give some to a group of friends who want to start a theatre in town.
I'd also give a fair ammount to EACH theatre in town.
I would make sure that the White's were properly re-paid for EVERYTHING they have ever done for me.
And then, just save whatever was left. Invest wisely.
...I am not an incredibly religious person. I believe in a higher power and I am very spiritual. And I pray. So I prayed. We all prayed.
We all thought it would be such a cool story. These disgruntled waitresses- some single mom's, some working their way through school, some who never get to see their husbands because they work night shifts and we work days- winning the lottery and being set up for life.
Well today, I found out- we did win!
...7.00$
I guess we weren't specific enough with our prayers. He answered them, just not in the way we thought. I got a little chuckle out of that.
So we're taking that 7.00$ and buying another set of tickets.
Maybe next time???
Happy Gambling!!!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The Holy Grail
I read ALOT of blogs written by waiters and waitresses.
It makes me feel better that I am not the only person out there who hates when you bring your baby in, make me give them crackers only to have them crushed in the floor so I am forced to get down on my hands and knees to pick up every bit. You know, things like that.
Waiter Rant is a great one. He has also written a book with the same name. If you have ever waited tables, you should go out and buy this book. In fact, if you ever go out to eat, PLEASE buy and read this book, you'll have a greater appreciation for your server.
Another I read it bitterwaitress.
She is hilarious. On her blog she has a glossary page.
Here are some of my faves:
You can read them all (along with the rest of her genuis on her site)http://bitterwaitress.info/wp/
Check - The thing you pay, and on which you tip 20% after tax. Check is a physical object,
and not a command to be uttered. It is acceptable to make the pen gesture to request your
check. If you have misbehaved, you will often find things added on to it. After all you are
only meant to pay it not to look at it.
Real Job - That which most people assume we do not have. Certainly long hours of
stressful labor isn’t really work. Of course the skills of dealing with many people at once is
not valuable. Training and education are not part of a real job. No, real jobs entail sitting
around, getting shat on by an old boss all day, then in turn being an ass to others, getting
frustrated and taking it our on your waitress at dinner that night. If that’s a real job then I
don’t want one.
Tip - 20% or more of the total of your bill left in cash without comment.
Verbal Tip - The belief on the part of some diners that effusive praise of service is
somehow a substitute for monetary compensation. These are some warped muthas. Say all
the nice things you want, just drop the 20% with the check and we’ll get along just fine.
It makes me feel better that I am not the only person out there who hates when you bring your baby in, make me give them crackers only to have them crushed in the floor so I am forced to get down on my hands and knees to pick up every bit. You know, things like that.
Waiter Rant is a great one. He has also written a book with the same name. If you have ever waited tables, you should go out and buy this book. In fact, if you ever go out to eat, PLEASE buy and read this book, you'll have a greater appreciation for your server.
Another I read it bitterwaitress.
She is hilarious. On her blog she has a glossary page.
Here are some of my faves:
You can read them all (along with the rest of her genuis on her site)http://bitterwaitress.info/wp/
Check - The thing you pay, and on which you tip 20% after tax. Check is a physical object,
and not a command to be uttered. It is acceptable to make the pen gesture to request your
check. If you have misbehaved, you will often find things added on to it. After all you are
only meant to pay it not to look at it.
Real Job - That which most people assume we do not have. Certainly long hours of
stressful labor isn’t really work. Of course the skills of dealing with many people at once is
not valuable. Training and education are not part of a real job. No, real jobs entail sitting
around, getting shat on by an old boss all day, then in turn being an ass to others, getting
frustrated and taking it our on your waitress at dinner that night. If that’s a real job then I
don’t want one.
Tip - 20% or more of the total of your bill left in cash without comment.
Verbal Tip - The belief on the part of some diners that effusive praise of service is
somehow a substitute for monetary compensation. These are some warped muthas. Say all
the nice things you want, just drop the 20% with the check and we’ll get along just fine.
White Flag
As you read, I was off work Thursday. And when I came back Friday we had a former waitress who worked with us last year back again. And it also felt like I walked into a hornet's nest.
There was alot of tension and because I wasn't there, I was out of the loop.
Apparently Thursday, (APPARENTLY!!!) a member of the kitchen staff had told 2 of the servers to "Shut the fuck up" in front of one of our bosses and the boss APPARENTLY didn't say anything.
Well Friday, one of my co-workers (and one of my best friends there), "Jerry" (not her real name) had an issue with this same kitchen employee.
Words were exchanged between the 2 and "Jerry" went up to one of the bosses and apologized for what she said and said that this kitchen employee should just "grow up".
Not 5 minutes later- we were all summoned to the kitchen for a Staff Meeting.
These meetings usually never go well when we've had them in the past. It ends up being a blame game and no one leaves feeling relieved. It just creates more tension and hurt feelings.
Now, for me to go into the details of what was said exactly would involve a 50 pages post so I will just give what I thought were the "highlights"- first off, we were accused (by this kitchen staff member) that us servers "do not care about the customers or have pride in our work. We just come in, get money, and leave. It's not about the people or the food to us."
Ok...here's where Samantha almost choked a bitch. Granted for a few of the servers I TOTALLY agree with that statement. There are some women that work there who I just cannot believe work in the customer service industry because they wouldn't know a personality if it came up and bit them on the ass. But for myself, and about 4 others, I really disagree with that statement.
I have seen a co worker pick out each individual tomato out of a casserole because the customer didn't want tomatoes. There was a day when another server made a simple syrup mix for a man who wanted sweet tea (which we don't serve...). And well, if you read my last post- you are well aware of my customer service policies.
Another gem from the meeting was me being accused of being a smart ass to this kitchen staff employee and that "for the things I have done to her in the past, she has no respect for me". WHHHAAAATTTT????
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am a smart ass. But for ANY of you who have come into the restaurant and have seen me with the customers I am so far from a smart ass.
I ALWAYS say Hello and Goodbye and Have a great weekend to the kitchen when I come in and leave. Whenever I bring in donuts or cakes for breakfast I offer to every single member of the kitchen staff (even when they treat us like complete shit).
It almost felt like a personal vendetta this person had against me. And I have no idea why.
And the final nail in the "WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING PEOPLE" coffin was this. Apparently us servers are having far too much fun at work and that is to stop immediatley.
There is a core group of people I am very close to at work. It's me and 3 other women. We call ourselves the "Seinfeld" group. I'm George. And we have an Elaine, Jerry, and Kramer. They are amazing women. Smart. Funny. Talented. And hard working. They are some of the best friends I have at work- and in life. And yes, because there are days where we are so slow or so minserable and we think 'well, if I'm going home with 30 bucks, I at least want to enjoy myself". And we do. Our work always gets done. The customers are always happy. And I think they get a better eating experience because we come to the table smiling or laughing.
I am Samantha. I have a personality. And so do Kramer, Elaine, and Jerry. (unlike some of the other people I work with) I'm sorry if that shows every once in a while.
The meeting ended and I did have hurt feelings. And crazy enough- it wasn't anything that the bosses did. It was this one kitchen staff member. My bosses made valid points. And I understand and respect the way they want to run their business. When I have a business of my own someday, I will be able to run it as I see fit.
I will try to not dwell on the comments made by this employee. Because in the end, this person (as Elaine says) "is not part of my reality".
Does it bother me that the kitchen staff talks to us like we're pieces of crap all the time (in front of the bosses, at times) and no meeting was held about that, but when one of us servers finally grows a pair and says something, then it's an issue that needs to be discussed? Yes, that bothers me.
But I will go to work tomorrow. Smile. Be respectful. Do my job. Take care of my customers and go home....because that's what a good employee does.
There was alot of tension and because I wasn't there, I was out of the loop.
Apparently Thursday, (APPARENTLY!!!) a member of the kitchen staff had told 2 of the servers to "Shut the fuck up" in front of one of our bosses and the boss APPARENTLY didn't say anything.
Well Friday, one of my co-workers (and one of my best friends there), "Jerry" (not her real name) had an issue with this same kitchen employee.
Words were exchanged between the 2 and "Jerry" went up to one of the bosses and apologized for what she said and said that this kitchen employee should just "grow up".
Not 5 minutes later- we were all summoned to the kitchen for a Staff Meeting.
These meetings usually never go well when we've had them in the past. It ends up being a blame game and no one leaves feeling relieved. It just creates more tension and hurt feelings.
Now, for me to go into the details of what was said exactly would involve a 50 pages post so I will just give what I thought were the "highlights"- first off, we were accused (by this kitchen staff member) that us servers "do not care about the customers or have pride in our work. We just come in, get money, and leave. It's not about the people or the food to us."
Ok...here's where Samantha almost choked a bitch. Granted for a few of the servers I TOTALLY agree with that statement. There are some women that work there who I just cannot believe work in the customer service industry because they wouldn't know a personality if it came up and bit them on the ass. But for myself, and about 4 others, I really disagree with that statement.
I have seen a co worker pick out each individual tomato out of a casserole because the customer didn't want tomatoes. There was a day when another server made a simple syrup mix for a man who wanted sweet tea (which we don't serve...). And well, if you read my last post- you are well aware of my customer service policies.
Another gem from the meeting was me being accused of being a smart ass to this kitchen staff employee and that "for the things I have done to her in the past, she has no respect for me". WHHHAAAATTTT????
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am a smart ass. But for ANY of you who have come into the restaurant and have seen me with the customers I am so far from a smart ass.
I ALWAYS say Hello and Goodbye and Have a great weekend to the kitchen when I come in and leave. Whenever I bring in donuts or cakes for breakfast I offer to every single member of the kitchen staff (even when they treat us like complete shit).
It almost felt like a personal vendetta this person had against me. And I have no idea why.
And the final nail in the "WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING PEOPLE" coffin was this. Apparently us servers are having far too much fun at work and that is to stop immediatley.
There is a core group of people I am very close to at work. It's me and 3 other women. We call ourselves the "Seinfeld" group. I'm George. And we have an Elaine, Jerry, and Kramer. They are amazing women. Smart. Funny. Talented. And hard working. They are some of the best friends I have at work- and in life. And yes, because there are days where we are so slow or so minserable and we think 'well, if I'm going home with 30 bucks, I at least want to enjoy myself". And we do. Our work always gets done. The customers are always happy. And I think they get a better eating experience because we come to the table smiling or laughing.
I am Samantha. I have a personality. And so do Kramer, Elaine, and Jerry. (unlike some of the other people I work with) I'm sorry if that shows every once in a while.
The meeting ended and I did have hurt feelings. And crazy enough- it wasn't anything that the bosses did. It was this one kitchen staff member. My bosses made valid points. And I understand and respect the way they want to run their business. When I have a business of my own someday, I will be able to run it as I see fit.
I will try to not dwell on the comments made by this employee. Because in the end, this person (as Elaine says) "is not part of my reality".
Does it bother me that the kitchen staff talks to us like we're pieces of crap all the time (in front of the bosses, at times) and no meeting was held about that, but when one of us servers finally grows a pair and says something, then it's an issue that needs to be discussed? Yes, that bothers me.
But I will go to work tomorrow. Smile. Be respectful. Do my job. Take care of my customers and go home....because that's what a good employee does.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Something's Missing
I needed a day to really decompress about work Wednesday before I wrote about it and put things in print that I didn't mean (or rather- that I REALLY, REALLY mean, but should never put it print).
Being a waitress- rather, a good waitress- is all about customer service. What the customer wants, they get. The customer is always right. (Actually, there are alot of times where the customer is dead wrong- and while you want to call them on their BS- you need their money)
I've been at my place of employment for a year and a half now. And in that time, I have been in my fair share of "I am too smart for this job" scenarios.
Example: for serving drinks to a large party during lunch one day- I was verbally berated by one of my bosses in front of the large party and all my other tables.
Well, Wednesday, I had another "I am too smart for this crap" moment.
At "the restaurant"- we serve a dessert that is apparently very famous in the South. (P.S. I am not mentioning where I work or what we serve or names, just to cover my own ass basically)
I had this table of 2 very nice ladies. From the moment they sat down, they were a joy. Sweet. Funny. Laughed at my corny jokes. Even complemented my earrings. They both ordered a side of that "famous dessert".
These ladies ate their entree first, I went over to check on them, refill drinks, pull plates, etc...., around the time they were getting ready to dig into the dessert.
I come back not 30 seconds later to check on an adjacent table and the ladies call me over.
They show me thier dessert was a little skimpy with some of the ingredients. They hadn't really even eaten it. Took about one bite, realized that it wasn't 100%, and called me over.
I saw this too. They ask for replacements in to-go boxes because they had to get back to work, but they didn't want to have to pay. (Reasonable. I thought. When you go to a restaurant, or anywhere for that matter, and what you order/purchase/consume isn't what it always has been or is faulty- you should get a replacement at no charge to you)
I take these desserts back to the kitchen, explain to the bosses the situation and they claim that the customers had eaten them already and that we were not going to give them free ones.
I was very upset by this- so I decide to take money out of my tips and buy these ladies a new dessert to take back to work.
This did not sit well with my bosses.
I go back to the table with these new desserts for the customers and they can tell I am upset.
After some prying and prodding- I tell them what happened in the kitchen when I went back there and how their mid afternoon snack was going to be on me today.
They were very angry.
THEY apologized to ME and both left me a tip of DOUBLE what each individual dessert cost to cover what I paid AND to tip me.
For the rest of the day I was upset. And worried because I cannot lose this job. I need this job.
So, at the end of the day- after all the customers were gone, my other opener/closer had left, and only partial kitchen staff remained, I went up to the desk to get my charge tips for the day.
One of my bosses was up there and he just handed me my money and I left.
Nothing about the dessert fiasco of 2009.
And then I realized, it was ok to them that I had done what I did. It was ok that those ladies were upset.
And at that moment I realized- I was on an island. (And my I, I mean me and the other co-workers of mine who I actually value and respect and care for) I had decided to just get up, go to work. Do my job. (And damn well if I do say so myself) and go home.
I will never be the "perfect employee" I guess because I will not sacrafice my pride for a couple dollars or to be put in the best section of the restaurant. I am not a kiss ass. I will never be. I am respectful. Polite. Kind. But I will not lower myself for people who I don't believe actually care about the day to day of my life.
And in the end- I am really ok with that.
I can look at myself in the mirror and not hate the person I see.
Can they?
Can you?
-Samantha
Being a waitress- rather, a good waitress- is all about customer service. What the customer wants, they get. The customer is always right. (Actually, there are alot of times where the customer is dead wrong- and while you want to call them on their BS- you need their money)
I've been at my place of employment for a year and a half now. And in that time, I have been in my fair share of "I am too smart for this job" scenarios.
Example: for serving drinks to a large party during lunch one day- I was verbally berated by one of my bosses in front of the large party and all my other tables.
Well, Wednesday, I had another "I am too smart for this crap" moment.
At "the restaurant"- we serve a dessert that is apparently very famous in the South. (P.S. I am not mentioning where I work or what we serve or names, just to cover my own ass basically)
I had this table of 2 very nice ladies. From the moment they sat down, they were a joy. Sweet. Funny. Laughed at my corny jokes. Even complemented my earrings. They both ordered a side of that "famous dessert".
These ladies ate their entree first, I went over to check on them, refill drinks, pull plates, etc...., around the time they were getting ready to dig into the dessert.
I come back not 30 seconds later to check on an adjacent table and the ladies call me over.
They show me thier dessert was a little skimpy with some of the ingredients. They hadn't really even eaten it. Took about one bite, realized that it wasn't 100%, and called me over.
I saw this too. They ask for replacements in to-go boxes because they had to get back to work, but they didn't want to have to pay. (Reasonable. I thought. When you go to a restaurant, or anywhere for that matter, and what you order/purchase/consume isn't what it always has been or is faulty- you should get a replacement at no charge to you)
I take these desserts back to the kitchen, explain to the bosses the situation and they claim that the customers had eaten them already and that we were not going to give them free ones.
I was very upset by this- so I decide to take money out of my tips and buy these ladies a new dessert to take back to work.
This did not sit well with my bosses.
I go back to the table with these new desserts for the customers and they can tell I am upset.
After some prying and prodding- I tell them what happened in the kitchen when I went back there and how their mid afternoon snack was going to be on me today.
They were very angry.
THEY apologized to ME and both left me a tip of DOUBLE what each individual dessert cost to cover what I paid AND to tip me.
For the rest of the day I was upset. And worried because I cannot lose this job. I need this job.
So, at the end of the day- after all the customers were gone, my other opener/closer had left, and only partial kitchen staff remained, I went up to the desk to get my charge tips for the day.
One of my bosses was up there and he just handed me my money and I left.
Nothing about the dessert fiasco of 2009.
And then I realized, it was ok to them that I had done what I did. It was ok that those ladies were upset.
And at that moment I realized- I was on an island. (And my I, I mean me and the other co-workers of mine who I actually value and respect and care for) I had decided to just get up, go to work. Do my job. (And damn well if I do say so myself) and go home.
I will never be the "perfect employee" I guess because I will not sacrafice my pride for a couple dollars or to be put in the best section of the restaurant. I am not a kiss ass. I will never be. I am respectful. Polite. Kind. But I will not lower myself for people who I don't believe actually care about the day to day of my life.
And in the end- I am really ok with that.
I can look at myself in the mirror and not hate the person I see.
Can they?
Can you?
-Samantha
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
New Start- New Blog
So Hello Interwebs...
If you are on this site then you probably read my previous blog "Diary of a Mad Black Woman."
I haven't posted on there in a while- life just got in the way.
And so, since that was the old me on that site, and alot has changed since then- I decided a new blog was in order.
I will have a (re)introduction post to come.
For now, thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more!
-Samantha
If you are on this site then you probably read my previous blog "Diary of a Mad Black Woman."
I haven't posted on there in a while- life just got in the way.
And so, since that was the old me on that site, and alot has changed since then- I decided a new blog was in order.
I will have a (re)introduction post to come.
For now, thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more!
-Samantha
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