another one for the waiters/waitresses?

misspeanut · 03-10-2009, 11:25 PM

we just had a thread about getting a job waiting tables and as i'm thinking of inquiring about a few job ads for waitress/server positions too, i was wondering if any of you who've got more experience in the field have any advice.
my concerns are:
- i'm not well coordinated, my motor skills are not one of my strong points
- i have trouble working at a fast pace
- i'd be concerned about getting orders mixed up and all that
- i crack under pressure and am not good at multitasking
- (this would not only apply to waitress/server positions but to any job really) because i tend to work at a slower pace than average, i'm often seen by coworkers as not working as hard as i really am....all of these have caused issues in past jobs

on one hand, i do need to find a job and am willing to give something new a try,but on the other hand, i'm afraid of having another mediocre at best work experience where my effort is not only not recognized (we can't always expect that can we, lol) but is downright undermined. (example. in my most recent job, in retail, i was treated somewhat as a pariah by a couple supervisors who thought my taking a long time at the cash register and at restocking products and setting up displays was deliberate when in fact i was working as fast as i possibly could).

my good points:
- i am hard working
-eager to do my best
- i'm polite and courteous

i think i should give it a try but i'm not sure. any advice?

hersmudders · 03-10-2009, 11:29 PM

Waiting tables is definitely a job you have to adapt to. The pace, the people, the routine of it all.

Start out at a cafe that isn't huge and not too busy, and maybe upgrade to a place that's a little busier, like a bar and grill type place.

winchester3 · 03-10-2009, 11:38 PM

I dont think i'm sexy enough to be a sucessful waiter

hersmudders · 03-10-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winchester3

I dont think i'm sexy enough to be a sucessful waiter

um, sexiness has nothing to do with it?

winchester3 · 03-11-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hersmudders

um, sexiness has nothing to do with it?

Your saying you wouldnt give the sexy waiter a bigger tip because he was REALLY hot and flurted with you just slightly?

hersmudders · 03-11-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winchester3

Your saying you wouldnt give the sexy waiter a bigger tip because he was REALLY hot and flurted with you just slightly?

it's happened, and i tip on service. i rarely flirted when i waited tables. i rarely have people flirt with me when i'm their customer. that's not completely what happens at restaurants. i'm not the prettiest girl in the world but i still made good tips b/c i was a good server.

purpleduckie · 03-11-2009, 12:08 AM

i'm horribly uncordinated and failed as a waitress. it was a good experience though. i would give it a try. trust me, my experience was horrifying but i still would do it again! it might have to do with the fact that i spent the majority of the time flirting with my manager. LOL but seriously, if it's not your thing... it's not your thing. i don't do well at any minimum wage job but do pretty well in lab work.. so i mean, if it's your thing. it's your thing. don't let it beat you down. give it a try!

YZRiderF · 03-11-2009, 12:14 AM

I say give it a try I have been a waiter for two years now. There is a lot of side work that is required. But with time you will get better. When I first started I was horrible. Im not a good at multi tasking. But give it a try you never know. Im glad I did It is great money especially when you are in college.

problematic1 · 03-11-2009, 01:06 AM

i wait tables and it definatley took some time to get used to. anyone could get the hang of it i believe. if i were you i would start out at a small place.. but one that still gets business.
take the menu home and study it.
ask questions.
dont be scared just try it... and if it doesnt work out then it doesnt work out. you can always try something else

winchester3 · 03-11-2009, 06:40 PM

I've done some catering before, for this event we where serving free coffee to a huge buisness party. This first guy tipped a 5, setting the bar for the evening. There was the cooks working the food and 3 of us doing the coffee, we each made 3-400 in tips alone off that coffee.

03-10-2009, 11:25 PM	#1
misspeanut Offline Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 106	another one for the waiters/waitresses? we just had a thread about getting a job waiting tables and as i'm thinking of inquiring about a few job ads for waitress/server positions too, i was wondering if any of you who've got more experience in the field have any advice. my concerns are: - i'm not well coordinated, my motor skills are not one of my strong points - i have trouble working at a fast pace - i'd be concerned about getting orders mixed up and all that - i crack under pressure and am not good at multitasking - (this would not only apply to waitress/server positions but to any job really) because i tend to work at a slower pace than average, i'm often seen by coworkers as not working as hard as i really am....all of these have caused issues in past jobs on one hand, i do need to find a job and am willing to give something new a try,but on the other hand, i'm afraid of having another mediocre at best work experience where my effort is not only not recognized (we can't always expect that can we, lol) but is downright undermined. (example. in my most recent job, in retail, i was treated somewhat as a pariah by a couple supervisors who thought my taking a long time at the cash register and at restocking products and setting up displays was deliberate when in fact i was working as fast as i possibly could). my good points: - i am hard working -eager to do my best - i'm polite and courteous i think i should give it a try but i'm not sure. any advice?

03-10-2009, 11:29 PM	#2
hersmudders Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 6151 Richmond St, Miami, Florida Gender: Female Age: 27 Posts: 8,311	Waiting tables is definitely a job you have to adapt to. The pace, the people, the routine of it all. Start out at a cafe that isn't huge and not too busy, and maybe upgrade to a place that's a little busier, like a bar and grill type place. __________________ "yeah but i want a glow in the dark clone of my penis!!!!"--Epicproportion Spay or neuter your pets! Don't breed or buy while shelter animals die! Remember to click "helpful post" if something on a thread was helpful!

03-10-2009, 11:38 PM	#3
winchester3 Offline Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ON, CA Gender: Male Age: 20 Posts: 496	I dont think i'm sexy enough to be a sucessful waiter __________________ If the economy is so bad, why is the walmart parking lot still always full?

03-11-2009, 12:14 AM	#8
YZRiderF Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Gender: Male Age: 21 Posts: 260	I say give it a try I have been a waiter for two years now. There is a lot of side work that is required. But with time you will get better. When I first started I was horrible. Im not a good at multi tasking. But give it a try you never know. Im glad I did It is great money especially when you are in college. __________________ For Myself, For my Friends, For my Family Forever

03-11-2009, 06:40 PM	#10
winchester3 Offline Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ON, CA Gender: Male Age: 20 Posts: 496	I've done some catering before, for this event we where serving free coffee to a huge buisness party. This first guy tipped a 5, setting the bar for the evening. There was the cooks working the food and 3 of us doing the coffee, we each made 3-400 in tips alone off that coffee. __________________ If the economy is so bad, why is the walmart parking lot still always full?

03-11-2009, 12:08 AM	#7
purpleduckie Offline Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Gender: Female Age: 20 Posts: 1,309	i'm horribly uncordinated and failed as a waitress. it was a good experience though. i would give it a try. trust me, my experience was horrifying but i still would do it again! it might have to do with the fact that i spent the majority of the time flirting with my manager. LOL but seriously, if it's not your thing... it's not your thing. i don't do well at any minimum wage job but do pretty well in lab work.. so i mean, if it's your thing. it's your thing. don't let it beat you down. give it a try!

03-11-2009, 01:06 AM	#9
problematic1 Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 231	i wait tables and it definatley took some time to get used to. anyone could get the hang of it i believe. if i were you i would start out at a small place.. but one that still gets business. take the menu home and study it. ask questions. dont be scared just try it... and if it doesnt work out then it doesnt work out. you can always try something else