Politics

      The general public really hasn't given my anything good to spark my writing bug lately. However, let's never forget the complex inner workings of the restaraunt. Behind the scenes there are politics, cliques, drama and more. If the demands of the customer wasn't enough to keep you on the toes (believe me folks, it is) then restaraunt workers are always keeping things complicated behind the scenes.
     I for one am a get in get out kinda gal. I love to make people happy by making an everyday action like eating exciting, fun, and unique. Apparently some people's lives just aren't happenin enough, so they use work as a personal stage for created and unecessary drama. I am sure the service industry is not the only place this happens, but it sure runs thick through the very vein of the job. One of the things I love about this kind of work is that every day is almost like a new slate. You can have a terrible service one night, turn around the next day and greet a fresh batch of customers. I noticed that often, the public is not enough to keep servers occupied and focused. Working in a corporate setting, the bosses love to throw incentives, promos, competitions out to keep it fun and fresh, but that doesn't stop the drama from seeping in.
    What is hard to see from the public's veiw point is the stress many of us have to endure to be accepted by coworkers and managers. Not only are we out there working to please you, your server may be fighting to hold onto an elevated position due to political power play, or not fitting into the right group. I have been promoted, demoted, and promoted again, started at the top, brought back in at the bottom due to these kinds if situations. If I could ask one thing of the people working in this industry, it would be to do just that. Focus on your job and the reason you are getting paid. Take into account that the people you may be working against have problems and stresses of their own to go home to. How much will you really gain by game playing and back biting? And, if I could ask one thing of the public in regaurds to this, please try and be a little understanding next time you are waited on by someone who looks like they are having a bad day. It probably isn't you, but the bs he/she is having to deal with on the other side.

I'll Start With Water

Dear public,
I will refuse to make anyone feel guilty for ordering a glass of water. Even a glass of water with a lemon slice. It IS the most refeshing and thirst quenching liquid out there and I will admit that I have even skipped a drink that costs money so I can splurge on dessert, or the more expensive entree. I do however draw the line when you ask me for a bowl of lemons and 20 sugar packets. Order the lemonade you cheapskate!

Beth

First blog, first post

I'm a little late to come on to the blogging scene, but better late than never? I wanted to share with everyone all the joy that is the food service industry. Many people out there have specific ideas on who the people serving them are. Let me tell you from experience on all sides of the restaurant business that the people waiting on you are college students, single mothers, family men and women, singles, grandmas and grandpas (yep!), gay, straight, and all of the above. I believe it to be a common misconception that this is a job for A) someone who is putting themselves through school, or B) someone who is not qualified for a better job. Having been in many different positions in the restaraunt, from ownership to bartending, I can tell you otherwise. This is a job that 1 out of 3 hires cannot handle. Back breaking work, long hours, and of course, enduring the many humilities the public puts us through makes this one of the hardest jobs out there! Although my goal is to make this a funny and lighthearted blog about accomodating the public, there will be, without fail, many times a horror story pops up. Please feel free to share your storries and even your experience from the public's stance.