I’ve never actually worked as a server/waiter. I’ve been very close. I used to work as a host, which is about as close as you can get to serving without actually doing so.
I was pretty good at it, too. I never oversat my tables, at least not without a valid reason. I always took care of the customers when they needed it. I handled the other hosts with great skill. I was darn good at what I did.
Then came the day I said, “F— you, sir!” to a customer.
Read Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip–Confessions of a Cynical Waiter
This is a very entertaining book, especially for folk like me who’ve worked in the restaurant business at various levels. I’t well-written and very funny. If nothing else, it reminds me why I need to tip better.
For people who are currently working in the business, it can be a nice reminder that they aren’t alone. There’s others out there suffering as they do; putting up with the same nonsense and difficulties, all in the name of waiting on people who generally view you as nothing but an object between them and their food.
Of particular interest to those who haven’t worked in restaurants is a helpful guide at the back about how to be a good customer. You don’t want to be one of those that makes a mild-mannered fellow like me tell you what to go do with yourself.
It isn’t a perfect book, but it’s a good read and, if nothing else, gives hopes to bloggers like me who long to someday sample the sweet nectar of success… though after its brought to us, we’d have to tip at least 20%.
