For the past six years I have been working as a server, on and off. I have worked in an array of restaurants. From bars, to chain restaurants, buffets, to fine dining. Although the job has been difficult, I find it very rewarding. Each type of restaurant presented its own challenges, and I had to learn to adapt to perform the job adequately. I have had many different jobs over the years, most in customer service, but serving is the job that I have enjoyed most.
For those who have not had the pleasure of working in the restaurant, one cannot understand the pressures and stress that go along with the job. There are many days when I come home, tired, sore and angry. Angry because maybe I didn’t make much money, or I dealt with customers that made my job difficult. Working in customer service, the most important thing that I must always keep in mind is that the customer is always right, no matter what. Sometimes it is hard to try and please someone when no matter what you do they aren’t happy. But that is just part of the job; swallow your pride to try and to make a few bucks.
I find that serving is difficult because it is crucial to stay on your toes, and most times you should stay ahead. Being responsible for five tables at a time, which is possibly twenty guests, is not an easy task. I have to greet the table, bring bread, recite the specials and the soup of the day. Interest them in a glass of wine, always trying to upsell. Do you want an appetizer? How about a salad? Load the tray up with glasses of water and wine, try not to spill it, then remember which guest had what. Take the order; guide the guest through the menu. I must know the menu backward and forward so that I can answer any questions that are fired at me. I must also know a lot about wine. Before working at my current job, I did not know a single thing about wine. I have had to taste wine, learn how to describe wine, and know which wine pairs best with certain dishes. This is one part of the job that I found to be the most difficult, and I must constantly continue to learn more information. So besides having to know an array of knowledge, I must constantly be moving, watching my tables to make sure that each guest has what they need. If I have a full section, then I have to make sure that I have everything written down and in order so that I do not make mistakes. Thinking ahead is important because it helps me to multitask, which saves a lot of time.
Team work is an important aspect in a restaurant. I have worked at many restaurants where no one helps each other. This makes the job extremely difficult. I am always helping people, and asking for help. It’s part of being a successful server. Sometimes there are just too many things that I have to do at once, and although I would like to do them myself, I ask for help. Sometimes I get stressed out, running around trying to catch back up, but once I ask for help I can get organized again, and things will flow.
Although I find serving to be stressful and difficult, I think it has helped me become a hard worker. I’m glad to have chosen serving as a job; it has taught me how to multitask, stay clam when things get stressful, and I am better organized. The skills that I have learned through serving will help me with my career ahead.
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