Every job has its ups and downs and having a restaurant job especially isn’t easy. Whether you’re dealing with horrible customers, or having tiring shifts, here’s a list of 15 things that all restaurant employees can relate to:
1. When customers try to crack a joke but it’s really not funny
“Can I take that dish out of the way?”
“No, no I’m still working on it.”
“Oh okay sorry, enjoy!”
“Haha, I’m just joking you can take it. That was a good one huh?”
No. No it was not. Sorry to ruin your day but that wasn’t a good joke and you just wasted a few seconds of my life, when I’m supposed to be attentive to the 100 other customers in this restaurant. But, I will laugh it out and tell you it was hilarious because that’s what we have to do.
2. You run food to someone’s table and they don’t even bother to acknowledge you
Can you at least help me move your dishes so I can actually place your food on your table? I don’t have more than two arms. Or at least smile and say thank you—it really makes a difference.
3. When you have to hold several hot dishes in your hands but you’re already in too deep
Fried rice, hot noodles, and soup? Easy…said no restaurant employee ever. Maybe in the beginning you thought that, but now you regret every single decision that you’ve made in life and your fingers feel like they are going to melt off. But you’re working and you have to look professional so you just smile through the pain of a thousand suns and hold back your tears.
4. The restaurant is about to close but that one table casually walks in
Whew. Okay we’re closing soon I guess I get to go home early today! NOPE. We know this is too good to be true, yet we fall for it every time. You could have gone home early but that last table comes in right before your kitchen closes and now you have to wait another hour before you can leave.
5. There’re way too many customers to deal with and sometimes we forget
Sorry. Sometimes it’s just impossible for us to remember every small part of what you wanted and to give it to the customers when there are other things that needs to be done. I hope you understand.
6. You don’t get breaks on holidays and the restaurant gets busier instead
Christmas? Nope. New Year’s? Nope. Memorial Day? Valentine’s Day? Columbus Day? Nope, nope, and nope. As a restaurant employee, this is what you signed up for. Sure you get more tips than you would on a regular day, but the amount of customers almost doubles and makes your shift a living hell. You want to go party with your friends for the holidays? Sorry, you gotta get back to work and serve all the customers coming to your restaurant who are there to get drunk, party, and actually enjoy the holiday.
7. When you spill something on the customer’s clothes
Your heart immediately drops to the ground. It’s too late to change what has happened and you just realized you have ruined that man’s Armani suit. Especially when he says it’s perfectly fine. How would you feel if someone spilled something on your favorite shirt or jacket? Exactly.
8. Bringing your friends and eating with them at the place you work
You walk into the restaurant unannounced and all these familiar faces smile at you as they greet you. Everyone is so glad to see you, and it feels as if you’re walking on the red carpet. Those employees that are your coworkers are now your servers and it’s a weird feeling, but it feels good. And as a plus, you are given a bunch of comped food.
9. When the customer stacks up the dirty dishes for you
You. You the real MVP. Thank you for doing that. It makes my job so much easier and I don’t have to ask which dishes I can take away and which ones I should leave for you to finish.
10. Finally going on break and sitting down after several hours of standing
That feeling when you finally go on break to sit down after hours of standing, running around, and hearing customers complain. You get 30 minutes of complete peace and relaxation (and also time for you to catch up on all those Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram notifications).
11. Trying to get your manager to notice you so you can get cut
(For those of you unfamiliar with the restaurant business, getting “cut” means you get to go home, they don’t need you anymore—it’s a good thing)
It’s that time of the day. It’s time for you to go home now but you have to wait until your manager cuts you. All you can do now is to pace back and forth and hope that he/she notices you. You try your best to seem cool and casual, even though you feel like your job is done and you should be let out.
12. When you get rude customers who ruin your day
Why do you have to be so mean? Although we are restaurant employees, we are all human just like you. Just because you had a bad day doesn’t mean you can make my life horrible. We’re the one who has to deal with people like you all day and we can’t complain at all about it.
13. …and when you get customers who actually appreciate you and make your shift worthwhile
You guys are awesome. Thank you for making my job worth going to. It is the feeling I get when I talk to people like you that reminds me why I love this job.
14. After working 12-hour shifts and dealing with customers all you want to do is roll into a ball and avoid all human contact
Working a double shift as a restaurant employee is not easy. And after seeing and greeting so many humans all you want to do now is get away from everyone. Just you, your Netflix, and your pizza, nothing else.
15. But at the end of the day, it’s all worth it when you’re counting your tips
You’re tired and exhausted and all you want to do now is go back home and plop onto your bed. But, before all that happens you can finally count your tips for the day and realize all the hard work you put in today was well worth it. Your wallet is all fat and now you’re ready to splurge all those singles on some delicious food.
So if you’re ever having a miserable day at work, just know there are plenty of us like you who are suffering through the same things, maybe even worse. And if you don’t work at a restaurant, but you just read this list for fun, keep in mind next time you go out to eat—be patient and keep a positive attitude for the workers because it isn’t as easy as it seems.