One step at a time.

I've been having those server dreams again. This time, I can't get the orders in the computer because my swipe card doesn't work and no matter who I grab (manager, GM, even more higher-ups) they can't figure it out and keep leaving me on my own and I have a horrible customer following me around telling me what a shitty job I'm doing.
I think I'm feeling very overwhelmed because I know I'm a great server, but I just can't quite get my timing yet with adding the computer in. But, as with anything, it's one step at a time. You may be overwhelmed with tables and feel like you'll never catch up. You may not be able to get this customer out until you chase down your manager to key in a coupon, but it WILL END. My server mantra has always been one step at a time, keep moving forward.

Get that refill. Get that order in. Forgot a ranch? Grab it while you're running past the bar to get that Corona you also forgot. The shift will be over soon enough, especially if you're running around, and then you can take a breath, a sip of water, and that pee break you've been holding in for 2 hours. You might be suffocating for 30 minutes, but it always ends! That's the beauty of it!
Just remember to keep a smile on your face, apologize to the customer (even if they haven't actually been waiting that long, if they see you're a little overwhelmed but still committed to them they're likely to be more understanding if they have to wait for something else), and just take that next step forward.

You know how some people just take up a lot of space?

I don't mean physically, like overweight or anything like that. They just have.. a big presence and you can tell they figure they think they always have the right-of-way? We'll call her Miss Big (the boyfriend just caught me typing and made a Sex and the City reference, so we'll stick with it).
She comes off nice enough, asking for favors and calling you honey baby sweetie. But really, she's just using you to get all the work done so she can bother the host stand to triple seat her and just go around making the money. "Can you follow me baby?" "Do me a big favor and take this to 43?" I'm sure you can picture it.

Well, she's a stickler for sidework though I never see her doing any (squeaky wheel gets the grease and all that). So every time I'm trying to leave, I ask at least two or three people, "how's the kitchen look? do you want me to stock anything? I'll double check silverware one more time." And it's always, "No no everything looks good just get on home I'll see you later!" I never ask her because it's always "go grab one more box of straws, you need to do silverware."
I was opener last week which means I give out the sidework AM shift, and a new girl asked me what should be done. She was a host before, so she's known Miss Big. I told her I just checked the silverware, we can just go through the kitchen but we should be good. Miss Big starts talking to her in Spanish right in front of my face! I asked when she walked away, and New Server Girl said, "oh she just told me to double check the silverware." How rude is that?

Anyway, I don't know if she doesn't like lemons or is just lazy, but she's always on me about the damn lemons! One day last week I had opened and been there late, I had been clocked out twenty minutes just waiting for my boyfriend to pick me up. I go to leave and she's on me about the lemons. The silverware. Another girl said "just GO HOME it's fine." Apparently after I left, Miss Big said "well, now YOU'RE going to have to do her work."
So today as shift lead I give out the sidework again. I gave a girl I like an easy one, took an average one for myself so I didn't look like I was trying to be sheisty, and just distributed the rest to whoever was there with no thought. I noticed we're running low on lemons and checked to see who had that today... guess who? I didn't even say anything to her just let her see it when she saw it. Accidental revenge, but still felt pretty good.

Well, this sucks.

I never got stiffed at the diner. I mean, eight years and maybe 3 times. Now, it's like a once-a-shift occurrence. When I got hired, the GM told me this store has a pretty bad tipping average. I mean, I'm averaging 15% on checks that are three times diner prices - I mean, 30 or 40 dollars for two people at lunch and they're still leaving that same 5. I know it's not me. I mean, yes, I'm still learning the ins and outs of a new place but I'm a good server so I know it's not me.
I'm just putting in my dues right now, I think. A bunch of people got hired with me, some hosts moved up to server, they're just figuring out the schedule and who is going to stick. But they are giving me 4-5 days a week, so they must like me.
Soon, I'll write about the lady who I do not like.

I get it now.

When I worked at the diner, we tipped out the busboys on our tips. We didn't make money, they didn't make money.
I got the concept of tipping on sales, but I didn't realize what a dent it actually made in your pocket if you're making big sales with small tips - or worse, stiffed. That's what people mean when they say they have to pay to wait on you when you don't tip.
My first table today, very pleasant, took my drink recommendations, smiled, said please and thank you. Paid with a credit card, crossed out the tip line, nothing on the table. I was really upset, I couldn't think of what I did wrong. I eventually figured.. I did my best, they might have just been looking for a reason not to leave a tip. Then I got a 10% tip, they were obviously just cheap.
But what really got my goat was the couple with the coupon. They got the complimentary app, he only ordered soup and salad, and she ordered the most expensive seafood dinner. The coupon took off her entire entree, about 20 dollars. Of course, he tipped on the discounted amount like I hadn't been refilling their iced teas six times each. That was just depressing.

Anyway, not that I would have ever tipped any less than I do (generously, obviously, I know the game!) but I didn't realize the effect this different way would have on my own pocket. PLEASE make sure you always tip before any discounts or coupons. Just.. please tip in general.

Training Complete!

I have taken menu tests, I have shadowed for 5 days, and I passed my "mock serve" with a manager.
I didn't even get to serve their fake food, she stopped me and said, "Don't worry, you're approved, I think you're adorable, I just want to work on the name-drop upsell portion."

I was completely overwhelmed my first day of training, I've only used handwritten checks and thought my trainer was performing magic, but once she gave me her swipe card and I started greeting tables, taking orders, and putting them into the computer it was just gravy.

So after 8 months of unemployment, at least 4 on the job search.. I'm back in the restaurant and couldn't be happier. Tonight is my first night on the floor alone and of course I'm scared to death but I'm so excited! I will certainly take notes for you, Dear Reader, to hear about the crazy people that exist in our world.

Officially employed!

I'm in the system now. I start my orientation and training in a few days. Blondie's gone corporate and she's super excited. Let's make some money and have a whole different set of stories.

Two down!

My interview at the seasonal place was... weird. She took my picture, asked if my tattoos were offensive, if I had allergies. I'd love to work on the river but I guess it's just not practical. It's only seasonal, they won't train me to bartend. So I have a second meeting with the GM at the first place tomorrow morning, hopefully we'll schedule some training because I checked my savings today...

One down.

I had an interesting interview at a local corporate place. Some questions I wasn't prepared for, but the interviewer was cute and sweet and informative and said she would set me up with a second by next week with the GM. Told me I would be a good fit, gave me a lot of insight for training and policies and moving up in the company. I wouldn't want to be a manager, I love to be on the floor, but server to bartender is my goal.
I have another application on Saturday, a local, seasonal place so I'd be done at the end of summer. But now I'm feeling like which should I choose?! Maybe I should have limited my availability at the first so I could do the opposite at the second. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, the second might not even want me, and then what happens in September? I'm back on the job hunt again.

Possibly a new venture?

Hey y'all!
Still on the Job Hunt, but I have two interview/application situation appointments coming up. Both serving positions, so hopefully I'll have some new stories for you soon as I go through the training process. Both restaurant/bar so what I'm really hoping for is to be trained as a bartender, which is what I've always wanted to do. Fingers crossed!

How petty do I want to be?

Well, the old job doesn't want me back. I was cleared to work, ready to go, Bossman texted me to work a Saturday night and I was all over it. Customers were hugging me, asking where I'd been, glad to see me back, slipping me twenties, the whole nine. I worked 6 hours, did my sidework, told the Bossman my foot was getting tired how long did he want me to stay?
"Okay, that can be your last table." And I lucked out. They were in a hurry, knew what they wanted, in and out.
And I worked HARD that shift. Show him I'm ready to work, show myself that I can. And I can! I was so nervous I thought I would drop a coffee mug on my first table, but by the third I was back with trays just like riding a bike.
WELL. Even though the other part-owner left after I had to, even though they had to put on more servers - three to my one - some of the girls (and I do mean girls) were talking some shit. "She better not expect her same hours back, she's just a pet," etc.
I know I've written about this before, but when did coming in and doing your job become a bad thing? I didn't expect my old hours back. I couldn't handle my old hours even if they gave them to me! But I was promised my job back, I know they're hiring, and I didn't get any hours. I took my key in and asked if I could use them as a reference.

So the question is, when I see my customers out and about, do I tell them that place screwed me over or just tell them it didn't work out?