I Waited in College

Over the years working in the service industry, I have come across people who have empathized with my plight of bartending and waiting tables to make ends meet. These people feel the need to want to reach out and tell me how hard it is to do what I do, and that even though they have a "career job" now, they know what it's like to work for tips because they used to wait tables in college.

This has become almost as bad as the customer who tells me at the beginning of the meal that they are "going to take care of me." That never happens. It is the "kiss of death," and the people who waited tables in college, did just that... waited tables in college. There is a huge difference working to make money to use to go out drinking with your college buddies later that night, and waiting tables to make money to put into your bank account so you have enough to write a check to pay your landlord for rent at the beginning of every month.

"Sometimes I would not make any tips. Then I'd have to flirt with the bartender to get my drinks." Said an actual customer in my section one night. "But you gotta do what you gotta do."

I think John Gotti said the same thing before he was ratted out by Sammy Gravano. But probably not the flirting with the bartender part... at least, not until he was in jail. (Allegedly!)

Believe it or not, (college waiters,) there is a huge difference between worrying about being able to have the funds to get wasted and party with the sorority girls, and not being able to keep the power turned on in your studio apartment. Trust me, I understand the frustration of not being able to get hammered because of lack of gratuity, but when it comes down to it, you can usually work something out with your friends or bartender to help you out in that predicament. (Just ask my customer from above.) Whereas, the LADWP, or your landlord will not be as helpful and forgiving for customers not leaving you compensation for good service. They will simply tell you, "No tipps? Not my problem! Lights out!"

Until next time... Server's don't pay their rent with compliments.

"Bitter. Party of one? Your table is ready."

The Bitter Bistro

Comments

Excuse Tips

It's ideal for a server to receive 18 to 20 percent gratuity for a job well done. Now it seems that customers are looking to leave an excuse rather than a monetary tip explaining why they couldn't leave their server any money. WTF?!! Of course, because my landlord would love to receive an excuse instead of a check for rent this month. "I don't have the money for rent, because I'm a writer/comedian. But I adore this building. So secure." The above picture was found on Yahoo.com . One of the comments said that they thought this was an altered pic, but I have actually seen this happen to myself and co-workers. And by-the-way, what if the server waiting on the woman was a single parent? So the lady who wrote this has now started a domino effect on their server who is struggling to make ends meet. And so on, and so on... Get bent! I don't believe in saying that if you can't afford to go out, that you should never go out. There are ways t

Breast Milk Macchiato

There are too many choices for milk nowadays. Organic. Almond. Breast? Soon "breast milk" will be the new craze everywhere, and people will be ordering it for their Lattes thanks to the constant problem of breast feeding in restaurants. The policia teta have been called upon again to smack the cuffs on the latest perpetrators of breast feeders in restaurants. This isn't the first, nor will it be the last time. But to celebrate my 100th Bitter Bistro post, what better way to celebrate then to debate the issues of breast feeding in restaurants. I am going to say that I am "pro boob," but I am against them being out to feed your child while you are dining in a restaurant. I get it. It's natural, it's best for your child, but most people go out to a restaurant for a good time, and your breast-feeding is not included in the price of an entree. "Waiter! Can you do something about this? That woman's breast is exposed and I'm try

10 Ways To Get Better Service At A Restaurant

I have noticed that there are many variables that can lead to a bad dining experience, and for the customer to say that they received "poor service" has become cliche, and just the "go to" for when all things go bad in a restaurant. Here is a Top 10 list to help customers have a positive experience the next time they dine out. 10. SIT AT THE FIRST TABLE THE HOST GIVES YOU "This table's too round. This table's too brown. This table's just right." You are not buying real estate. So for you to pass on the first, then the second, and even the third table option the host gives you is beyond ridiculous. The tables are all made the same, have four legs, four chairs, (if applicable,) and are strong enough to hold food, drinks, and purses. And if you pass on a table, now you've messed up the floor plan that the host has prepared at the beginning of their shift, and everybody in the restaurant takes notice as you are aimlessly walking a

The Bitter Bistro

Search This Blog