Working as a server is an experience that many college students know (and…love?). It really can be a great way to pay for college expenses–3 cheers for good tippers! But any current or former server knows that the job is never easy and can be simply unfair sometimes. Read on for 14 struggles all servers understand.
1. Your hours are unpredictable.
You know what time your shift starts, but when you’ll get cut is anyone’s guess. There’s no use for making plans until after an evening shift, because for all you know you might get stuck with a table that stays all night. And if you get off early, it’s probably because the restaurant was super slow–and this isn’t much better, because that also means you probably didn’t make much money.
2. Your wages are unpredictable.
Busy nights with friendly customers are great, but you never know when a slow night will come along to sabotage your bank account. Budgeting with server wages is nearly impossible.
3. Anything and everything that goes wrong is your fault.
Food is taking too long to come up? Drinks aren’t cold enough? A side of sauce is missing? Whether you had anything to do with the problem or not, it’s your fault. Adios, tips.
4. Your memory is always shorter than you think.
When a table just asks for “one more thing,” you think you can remember to punch it in without writing it down. But after a few distractions, that “one thing” is gone from your brain.
5. You find *disgusting* things on people’s’ plates.
Cleaning up someone else’s dirty dishes is never fun, even if they are a member of the “clean plate club.” But clearing someone’s used Kleenex, chewed gum, or squishy, slimy toddler food is just revolting.
6. You have to say goodbye to nights, weekends, and holidays.
Wherever your schedule is posted, there’s probably also a note that says “no asking off for (fill in the blank).” You fill in the blank with all of the days you’d really like to have off. Why is the restaurant always busiest at the least convenient times?
7. Two words: side work.
Non-servers may never understand that there’s more to your job than just taking orders. You probably stay for hours after your shifts restocking shelves, rolling silverware, and SO. MUCH. CLEANING.
8. You’re expected to be an expert
When you started as a server you took a menu test and learned about the basics of the restaurant, but the questions you receive probably still boggle you sometimes. Please don’t ask me about the history of the establishment or how much fiber is in your side of french fries.
9. You’re mortified when you make a mistake
Many of the problems that happen with your customer’s orders aren’t your fault (even though you’ll still be blamed for them). But when you truly do forget to grab that refill or enter an order wrong, you feel awful.
10. Splitting checks
This is especially fun when large groups don’t decide they’re splitting the bill until after all of the food has been ordered.
11. “Surprise me”
Or equally as bad: “whatever is easiest for you.” It would be easiest for me for you to just tell me what you want so I don’t bring you food you don’t like. And if you want me to surprise you, I’ll just order you the most expensive thing on the menu.
12. People who say they are ready to order and then actually aren’t
Contrary to popular belief, servers have better things to do than stand awkwardly next to your table while you and your friends debate about what food to get.
13. Sharing tips
You know that the bartenders, kitchen staff, and dishwashers work just as hard as you do, but it still hurts to hand over any of your hard-earned cash at the end of the night.
14. …you do drop things sometimes.
It’s the most stereotypical “server struggle” in the books. You’ve learned to be an expert tray-balancer, but even the best of us spill plates every once in a while. And it sucks.
But despite our many struggles, servers learn to be patient, manage time and stress, and usually make some pretty good cash. And we also learn to be the nicest, best-tipping customers at any other restaurant we go to.