Just a waitress?
I am many things, have done so many things and want to do and be so many more things. Going to work 5 days a week complaining about the Half Price Happy Hour tips also being "half price", griping that there needs to be a better "system" and answering the same questions over and over again have me thinking...am I destined to always be "just" a waitress?
I've done this for the past 15 years. Why is it that I always go back? Why do I take these jobs so seriously. Why do I care if there is actually a "better system?"
So here is what I have figured out about why I do what I do. Quite simply, people interst me. I enjoy getting to know people in a flash. I like to be liked, enjoy doing a good job and then being rewarded. Being a waitress/bartender is one of the quickest ways to monitor your -its only human nature- rating system.
It works like this:
I work the table (much like an actor works the stage, or a comedian works the room), I assess moods and needs and do my best to make their moods above average and to take care of their needs (not like that) in a proficient, enthusiastic yet sill profesional manner. I put on a performance while giving them what they need and in the end they basically write me a review on a little line that says Tip: _______. If I had an amazing performance that line should be be 30% of the total bill. A mediocre performance and I'll see about 20% and if I had a poor performance I'll see less than 15%.
Unlike an actor, I get to use my rating system to determine where I need to do a better job before the next scene (oops! I mean table ) in order to redeem my self worth and cushion the bank account.
So no, I'm not destined to always be "just" a waitress. I'm that very interested, very energetic girl who just wants to have a consistently amazing performance and if creating a better system and answering the same questions over and over again is going to help me validate each scene...then so be it.
Until next time remember how great the world really is because it is Not a Bit Boring!
