Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Weekly Homework Assignment

It's time once again for Mama Kat's Weekly Homework Assignment! This week, I chose the following prompt: Describe a job you absolutely would never want to do.

There are a bunch of jobs I'd never want to do, but one I keep thinking about is being a waiter, waitress, or bartender at a restaurant/bar on a really busy night. I remember being a college student, and going to our hangouts on certain nights. I've seen how absolutely crazy a bar/restaurant can get, and how some customers can be absolutely ridiculous. A good bartender/waiter/waitress can keep his/her cool throughout an entire night. I'm not sure I could do something like that consistently.

On a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night in some of those college bars/restaurants, the place seems to be packed from 5:00 until 2:00 - some of those waiters/waitresses/bartenders are on duty that entire time. If I had to "be on" that entire time, I think that at some point I'd probably snap from all of that constant pressure. I'm sure there are some people who can thrive in situations like this, and I've seen bartenders/waiters/waitresses who never seem fazed by the pressure/stress. And I'm also sure that the tips for a night like this make it absolutely worthwhile. But, man, I can't see myself as someone who could do this.

6 comments:

paige said...

I was a bartender once and I really liked it. I did it in the middle of London during their carnival and it was wall to wall people. We even took out the tables, chairs and anything glass. People danced on the bar. Bet you wouldn've hated it. Oh...and the bartenders could drink behind the bar.

Heff said...

I've actually had a nightmare that I'm the only Chef in a restaurant cooking for a PACKED HOUSE.

OH, the Horror.

Steph said...

Waiting on people can be absolutely horrible. But that's why there are areas that the customers can't go to. Most of what happens in the back of the house is bitching about the customers. The thing is, is it's very good money.

I'm so glad I don't wait tables anymore. My bartending gig now is totally laid back. And I don't work there often enough to let it get to me.

Anonymous said...

I was a waitress at 17 at a crappy Denny's in Nacogdoches Tx... and you are very correct. It sucked. I'd rather have another couple kids and be lost in that insanity. At least the kids don't complain to the manager. Granted, I was a terrible waitress.

Carrie said...

I went so far as being a Hostess in a restaurant but I would never want to be a waitress. Frankly, I hate dealing with people and dealing with hungry people is 10 times worse!

Visiting from Mama Kat's

Ink and Stone said...

No way could I ever do that job, I'd start stabbing people after they start bitching at me for their drinks/dishes/etc.