Life on the other side

It's been a hot minute. A lot has happened in that hot minute let me tell you.

I know I hardly had readers when I was trying to blog actively so maybe this random blog won't get a view. If that's the case, I'm writing this blog more for me than for you.

I've hung up my pen and notepad for good and let me tell you how much my mental health has been soaring because of it.

Serving is a GREAT way to make money. Truly, that's why it took me so long to walk away from it. You work a couple shifts a week during school, make a bunch of cash and go on with your studies. For me, serving gave me the most anxiety I have ever felt and at points, I wished that my car would go (gently) into a ditch on the way in and I would miss my shift. Damn my good snow tires for never making that a reality (haha).

This summer, I took on a job that was in the field I am going to school for and it just felt so much better for me. There are some people who make a wonderful career out of serving. They like it, they're good at it and it pays their bills. I hated it and I sucked at it. I was constantly feeling inadequate because I couldn't do it and other staff members were constantly annoyed with my smaller sections and I was just so anxious all the time.

I just stopped one day and said 'I need to walk away'. And I did just that. I am finishing up my second chunk of education and I am about to transition into the working world. More importantly, into the field I want to be in.

I am happy to say that I woke up one day and made the decision that the tips weren't worth it for me anymore.

Thanks for the read. I hope you are all doing well and if you're a server, I hope that holiday tipper gets seated in your section soon.

xoxo

- A

PS. It's been over a year since I served a table and I STILL get server nightmares from time to time!

This is why I write it down

'the customer is always right'

This is the golden rule while working in the food industry, or even other industries such as retail but this golden rule makes any server want to rip his/her hair out in the middle of the rush. 

So there are some servers who don't write anything down and just remember everything. Literally everything. My friend served a party of 15 the other night with no notepad. I on the other hand need to write everything down, including water. Embarrassing I know but during the rush I get so stressed out I can't remember the last 2 minutes because my brain is in survival mode and my memory shuts down. It's a thing. Look it up if you don't believe it.

I'm getting sidetracked here..

So I was pretty busy and had a handful of needy/cranky tables. This always makes me feel weeded as I start over-trying to please my guests (because I can't deal with conflict). I had a woman (who I knew  wouldn't tip well) order a wrap with a side salad. I wrote it down and actually remember the conversation. The food comes out and she pipes up "I ordered fries with my wrap"

**Cue the eye roll that makes my eyeballs fall out.**

 I knew she didn't and I politely said "oh really? I was so sure you had a salad with it". The wrap comes with fries as a default so when someone orders it I say "would you like fries as the side?" and she flat out said no, she wanted a garden salad.

She said "why would I order salad with it when the meals came with unlimited salad"

** eye roll eye roll eye roll**

... maybe because your meal is the cheapest and doesn't include the all you can eat salad so you ate the unlimited salads from the others at your table even though that's not allowed.

She started getting worked up about it and I had other tables I needed to deal with so I decided that this was not worth pursuing.

But my god did it eat me up inside that I knew I was right and I let her get away with thinking I made the mistake. I brought out the side of fries and apologized. 

She tipped 8%.

xoxo

- A

Help me, I'm poor

So as November comes to a close, so does my bank account.


I'm so poor! School has drained me of all of my money

well that and pizza.



I feel that I work the same amount of time that I worked at my old place last year but I just can't make any money! I love the diner but I just don't make enough money!

They asked me to come in an hour early for all of my shifts because they're getting busier so that's good at least!

and with the Christmas season coming up, the owner might need people to work during the week (she usually works alone during the week and only has people during the weekend) so I put my name in so maybe she can give me some more shifts just for the Christmas season.


Is anyone else starting to feel the stress of Christmas?

xoxo

- A

You really like me?!

Hey readers!

I finally had my second shift today and I served a 2 table section. I was a little hesitant because I hardly know the menu still. I've been slacking because school has already gotten crazy. Serving tables there is so different from my summer place. It was nice and easy going. The tips weren't too bad either! I got a 15 dollar tip on a 20 dollar bill. The girl who was watching over me was like "what the hell!". I tend to make good tips, I've noticed :).

This place actually makes me feel like a valuable person. All of the other places treated me like an easily replaceable cookie cut-out but this place actually asks me questions that are to ensure that I am doing alright and enjoying my work experience. It's really a nice change. The owners are so nice.

Overall, I'm excited to go back next weekend. The owner said she wasn't expecting me to be that good and now is going to give me a regular section. She said she could tell that I was nervous but I could still do it. She really understands me haha.

I hope you're all doing well!

xoxo

- A

They had an electric orange juicer!

So I got the job!

Apparently she loved me right away and knew she wanted to hire me. The menu test was only a way of getting me to seriously study the menu so I could be more prepared. I worked my first shift yesterday morning. They didn't have me serving really. I just sat tables, bussed a lot, ran some food and helped the other servers with their stuff. It was a good way to just get a feel for the place.

So I'm happy. I really like the staff, they are all so nice and friendly. It was just a good experience.

And it was A LOT busier than I would have expected. It was pretty busy for like a solid 2 hours of my shift (I worked 3). So I could make decent tips, especially since turnover is probably pretty quick because it's breakfast.

So here is to a new chapter and a lot of new stories!


xoxo

- A

Nothing

Well the restaurant didn't even email me back. Isn't that always lovely.

I just wish they didn't avoid it so much and just address it. It seems a bit unprofessional to me, but who am I to complain?

I actually got an interview on the spot today at a mom and pop place down the street from me and she seemed to really love me. She gave me a piece of the menu (an all day breakfast menu) to have memorized for Saturday. It sounded like if I did a good job with it, she would take me on. Little does she know she was talking to a person who memorizes 15 pages of brain function review notes three days before an exam. It's in the bag. I've already memorized about 75% of it in the few hours of having it. I am just nervous about not making enough money in a little diner like that. I don't know how busy it gets but when I was there at noon, there were 2 tables. It's better than nothing and I truly loved it there. I always had a dream of serving at a little diner like that (don't ask why, I have no idea) so it might give me different things that the chain restaurants didn't.

I'm cautiously optimistic.

The Blonde (whose blog I absolutely adore, by the way) asked me to expand on me having my mother quit for me at my old job, and I thought it'd be a good story so here goes!


I had only been getting one shift a week at the restaurant and I experienced anxiety when working because I just couldn't get better. I kept getting weeded every shift and I knew that the staff saw me as a weak link. Well, I had been secretly evaluated one night and my manager very nicely told me that if  I don't get my act together in two weeks, i'd get canned. I spent the next week until my next shift driving myself ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. My anxiety about going back after they affirmed my thoughts about them thinking I sucked became too overwhelming, I missed classes and just kept inside my room.

Finally, the night before my shift, I called my mom at like 2 in the morning having a huge breakdown. The only thing that soothed me was her telling me to just quit. I didn't need the stress and my parents would help me financially. So the next day, I begged her to call them and quit for me. She had picked me up that morning and brought me back to my parents home (so my real home) so I was there when she did it. She got the asshole manager that was so rude to her and she lost her mind on him. She asked for the owners number and got into contact with her. She pretty much just said that I felt cornered and wasn't really given support even though I have diagnosed anxiety. The owner talked it out with my mom and my mom got me my job back (even though I didn't want it at the time though I would appreciate it later). It's not like my mom begged her, the owner told her that she totally understands and wanted me to come back if I wanted to.

Long story short, while that ended well, I think it ruined my chances of coming back.

Pray to the server gods that I get this job readers!

xoxo

- A

Who needs self-respect anyways?!

Ugh I've reached an all new low today, my friends.



So I spent the afternoon handing out resumes (I moved back out for school on Saturday) and it was so depressingly unsuccessful I did something stupid. It's like when you get super drunk and call your ex and beg them to get back together with you even though they broke up with you. It's just sad. Well I emailed the restaurant I worked at last school year and pretty much did the same.

When I had reached out to them at the beginning of August, they hadn't responded to my email, which I knew was a bad sign. I still called them a week later and pretty much told them I was interested in coming back blah blah. He had told me that they did more summer hiring than they anticipated so they might not be taking people back. He then said he'd let me know by the end of the week.

I sordove knew that was bullshit. I won't lie. I was a pretty shitty server when I was there. In my defence, I had little experience before that job and I only got one 3 hour shift a week. I had a really hard time developing any skills because I just wasn't doing it frequently enough. I even had a huge mental breakdown and had my mother quit for me on the spot. Which she did. And then the owner called and talked it out with my mother and they said that if I still wanted my job that I could take it. So I did and I finished up until summer.

So I totally understand why they wouldn't want me back. I'm not stupid. What I have described for you demonstrates how terrible I was there. BUT I HAVE CHANGED!

Working at my summer job made me a boss server!

So anyways, the end of the week came and I didn't hear from him. At this point I was a little irritated that he wasn't just being honest so I emailed him and just told him to let me know his decision and within the hour he emailed me back and rejected me.


I emailed him again today like a pathetic loser when I was feeling hopeless about finding another job. I acknowledged that my attempt seemed desperate but really told him how much I appreciated the job and that if he gave me a chance (if there was a position available), that I would work so hard to show him my improvement.


I feel like such a pathetic, clingy loser and I just needed to let it out. So thank you for reading, and feel free to judge me hahaha.

I'll let you know how it goes,


xoxo

- A

Officially Un-Employed

Well I have been finished work for about a week now and while I couldn't wait to get out of that place, I have become incredibly bored!

School is all finished as well and I have two more weeks until I move back out for school. I spent the weekend at a friend's cottage and that was really nice and relaxing. I had been looking forward to that for like a month so I'm sad that it's already over.

In other news, I was not offered a position at my old restaurant when I go back to school so I was super disappointed about that. It is so impossible to find a serving job for the school year because no one wants to hire someone that'll leave after the school year.

Well I will just need to stay positive and try to find a job as soon as I get out there.

Send me luck readers,

xoxo

- A

The Holiday Tipper Strikes Again!

Tonight was mayhem as we were disgustingly short-staffed but that didn't stop me from getting the holiday tip once again!

Three women were sat in my section during the crazy dinner rush. They didn't strike me as anything as they seemed somewhat unkept. I honestly did not expect much from them. They were't waiting long but my manager greeted them anyways. I could tell he knew them (so they were regulars). I had taken their drink orders and before I had brought them back he had gotten their all you can eat salads. I knew he wasn't doing this because he thought I wasn't getting there in time. He was just being friendly with them because he knew them.

After I thanked him for taking care of them while I was getting caught up on other tables trying to pay he said "make sure to take awesome care of them because they will give you a fantastic tip". So I did. They were very sweet and patient anyways so it wasn't like it was difficult.

I genuinely enjoy waiting on people who are friendly and easy going. So if you go to a restaurant and you're service is bad... maybe you're an asshole.

Or maybe you just have a bad server.

Getting off track here...

So it comes time for them to settle up and their bill was 40 dollars. When I looked at the debit receipt it read:

Tip: $60.

Almost shit my pants. But then they told me that half was for the manager because he was wonderful. But still, 30 dollars on a 40 dollar bill is an AMAZING tip. I was so grateful.

So my message is this: never judge a book by its cover. Seriously. The nicest people come in all forms. And nasty people do too. Remember that.

Tomorrow is my last day at the restaurant and I must say that I am a little sad to be saying good bye to the staff. I have really grown to love a few of them.

xoxo

- A

The Fire Alarms Interrupted my Open

So today was the dreaded open-over-dinner but it really wasn't as bad. DEFINITELY not as bad as last night so I was pleased. I went in a little early because I like to take my time opening. I like to move slow and do my thing.

I was just about finished when he fire alarms all went off. This has never happened. There was only about 6 of us including the kitchen staff so we all grabbed our stuff and sat outside. The rest of the plaza had done the same.

Is it absolutely terrible that I was hoping that I finally got my wish and that the place was burning down? LOL.

So terrible. I know.

We waited for about 15 minutes and all made jokes about having the day off but sure enough we had to go back in and get on with the day.

Everything was fine and at a comfortable pace. I made 100 bucks in 7 hours which is crazy because yesterday, I made 100 in 3 and a half hours. I'm happy either way. I have 2 days left of my 6 day stretch and I'm not feeling too bad.'

I had a few great tables too. They were easy to serve, super pleasant and seemed to enjoy having me take care of them for the night. It left me feeling good about myself.

There has also been gossip flying around the restaurant. I feel like that happens everywhere though. It's a little juicy and a guilty pleasure of mine to hear what's been going on. Unfortunately, I'm friends with both groups that are having the issues so I'm team Switzerland. I'm trying to stay out of it but sometimes my mouth starts moving before my brain tells it to shut up lol.

I hope your Saturday tips rock tonight!

- A

"The Owner asked to be Seated in Your Section"

It was at that moment that I wanted to evaporate.

So we were expecting it to be dead tonight because it's a long weekend. We only had 5 servers on when we usually have 8 or 9. We got slammed after the manager went down to THREE servers. I had 7 tables at once which is insane for my place and the kitchen was so backed up. It was just the crap I only have nightmares about coming true right before my eyes.

As if shit couldn't get any worse, the owner came in with his family and sat in my section. I have never served him before and I was so nervous I was literally shaking. I didn't really know how to approach it. Would I just go and they would order without a second thought?

Well he made it clear when he told me to go through all of the steps of service.

I froze like a deer in headlights and couldn't even utter a word. If I wasn't so busy with other tables, I would have managed it better. But I had 6 tables to look after not including them. I just straight up told him that I don't do well under pressure and I was incredibly nervous. He eventually accepted that I was a lost cause and just went through the motions. My co-workers now know my pre-anxiety attack face and helped me so much when they could. Even just telling me that I got this and not to stress. Even my manager was like "just do your best, who cares! You are only here for the summer so don't even worry". It really helped to know that people had my back.

And I rang in gluten free penne for the owners dish instead of regular penne. We serve all of our GF food on bright green plates so it's not like I could have hid it. After I rang it in I went to the kitchen and told them that I made the mistake and they gave me shit because I waited like 10 minutes to tell them. Luckily I was looking over what I rang in or else I wouldn't have even caught it at all.

I just got in for the night and I have to open tomorrow morning so I need to be at the restaurant in less than 12 hours. That is so depressing considering how crazy tonight was. I made $100 and really need the money but hopefully it isn't as crazy tomorrow.

xoxoxox

- gossip girl

- A

Tuesday Night Blues

Hello peeps,

I had made it through my first 5 day in a row work week with a breeze. The only thing that sucked is that our air conditioning in the restaurant isn't working and we are in the middle of a crazy heat wave.  I was dripping sweat, it was so gross and uncomfortable. I got a weird heat rash on my thighs and I'm sure that our jean pants uniform isn't helping the cause.

So I have been at the restaurant for just about 3 months now and I am considered one of the older staff members because people are quitting all of the time. Since I have started, I can name 11 people that have left the restaurant. It really makes you wonder how shitty this place is. I would never consider working here long-term. I could hardly handle 4 months of summer.

I don't have any funny, cute or horrible customer stories for you. I found my customers to actually be mostly pleasant to serve. I have also started finding my place with my co-workers. I always feel out of place or awkward but now I am able to engage with everyone and sit at the bar with them after my shift ends.

Making a couple of friends has made working there a lot better too :).

So I have been enjoying my two days off before starting another 5 day streak of work. It feels like a depressing Sunday night when Monday looms around the corner. My uniform is in the washing machine and I have to wash the beach out of my hair.

Thanks for reading (if you are),

- A

Will The Madness Ever End?!

I have three papers due next week and I work every day for the rest of the week.

Paper one: 3 pages (not bad)
Paper two: 1500 - 2000 words (doable)
Paper three: 6500 words (WHAT?)

I am trying to tackle the third paper right now and as I am working through it, I can't stop thinking about how I will hardly be able to work on them after tomorrow because I work 2 split shifts this weekend  and a pre-close (hello tips, goodbye GPA). I haven't even begun to look at the first two papers.


Why is being a student so difficult? It's summer school so these courses are moving super quick so trying to be on top of it plus work at least four shifts a week has been getting really over-whelming. The restaurant asked me to pick up a shift today and tomorrow and I told them I could do tomorrow (which I am starting to regret), but hopefully the tips will be good and make up for it. I worked on Monday night and it was so busy. Apparently it has been like that all week so they are trying to add staff to the floor. This is the second last week of these courses though and after that I will be starting a new one but thankfully it will only be one course. I think it'll be a lot more manageable.

So while I sit in this chair for the next 6 hours, please say a prayer to the paper gods for me!

- A