TheBanyanTree: Life Stories 105/About waitressing~

[Sharon Mack]

Toby wrote;

<< Ever after my harrowing one hour as a 
waitress, I have appreciated the arduous work 
that waiters and waitresses do, and I still tip 
very generously.  >>

I did waitress work for many years before I got the job at BCC (the college
I now work at).  I had good and bad experiences but overall, I became very,
very good at what I did.  I handled a 10 table dining room all by myself on
many occasions.  

My last waitress job was at a local Greek restaurant.  I worked 6 days a
week from 11am to 11pm, but I quit and went on welfare when my 12 year old
son called me to tell me the grandmotherly lady that was babysitting him and
his brother after school was locked in my bedroom screaming about a storm
and telling them to get under the beds and not come out.  They also told me
she had written all over the walls.

I went home immediately...they were telling the truth.  I called her
daughter, who was a friend of mine and we broke into the bedroom.  She was
so hysterical by this time we called for an ambulance.  It was determined
that she had Alzheimer disease.

I was on welfare for three years and during that time I babysat two children
my sons' ages for $60.00 a week, took classes during the day and started my
work study position at BCC on my off-class days.  I think they paid $6.50 an
hour and I could only work a total of 18 hours a week.

When Welfare ended, I procured the job of a Clerk III at the college for 23
hours a week, kept the work study position for 18 hours a week, and worked
for B.I.L.L. on the weekends for an additional 20 hours a week.

I never waitressed again, but like you, I appreciate the job and how
difficult it is, and tip very well.  It's funny, all my friends who have
been waitresses do the same thing, and when a waitstaff person makes a
boo-boo, we always tell 'em, not to worry, we've been there-done that.  It
always relaxes them and they give us even better service.

I have had a few that were nasty.  I do not leave them cash tips but do have
a bit of a chat with them, so they know exactly why.  Thankfully, this has
not happened too often.

Sharon