Servers are people too...

I think the reality of this job is finally setting in. Tonight a coworker walked out without doing any side work. Another coworker got thrown in the back because someone didn't show up for a production shift. I was the bad guy when I made up the stations. A guest saw me wiping down a table so she knocked on the glass in front of my face after I was already looking at her to rudely tell me to get her bill. Another guest decided that her chocolate shake tasted funny - how can you mess up a chocolate shake?

I'm finding that many of the guests that come into my burger joint feel a lot more entitled than the ones that come into the last place I worked at. Granted, that place was a little more classier.

People do the darndest things

I've developed a love hate relationship with this job.
I love most of my coworkers, and most of my managers are amazing! I love a lot of the guests that come in and I love that the drive to work isn't as long as it used to be.
I hate one or two of my coworkers, and two of my managers are, simply put: rude. A lot of the guests that come in are rude, I could even call them presumptuous, and the drive to work is still on a busy highway where many people prove to not know how to drive.

The other day a homeless man came in and had his cart parked outside of our store.  He ordered coffee and maybe a snack to eat.  Those of us that took the time to talk to him enjoyed the conversation quite a bit, though it seemed like he had some fantasy fiction mixed in with his tales. A man came up to me while I was preparing a table's drinks.  He asked for a to go cup and then handed me a $20.  He asked me to pay for the homeless man's bill and give him what ever was left over.  When I gave the homeless man the change and explained why I was giving him the change, tears came to his eyes, he was very grateful! Then when I was helping one of my tables they offered to pay for him as well.  I love seeing people take care of each other.  This was an awesome night!

New Adventure

Well, I am going from serving in a casual dining experience to something a little more fast pace, more of a burger joint.  I am now in full costume everyday, from the bow tie to my black slacks, socks, and shoes.  

"I'm (now) a server at a burger joint established in the 1930's. These are my day to day experiences with guests, co-workers, and management. Everyday is a new adventure!"  

 "I'm (no longer) a server at a casual dining restaurant. These (have been) my day to day experiences with guests, co-workers, and management. Everyday (has been) another adventure!"

So far it has been a lot of fun! This place reminds me so often of my first job, doing everything there is to do- making food, doing dishes, taking care of the guests, cleaning every nook and cranny after the shift, and stocking everything up for the next shift.  Both places rely so heavily on teamwork and treating co-workers like family.  

Yet, it's very different at the same time.  We have a drive thru in the new place, two grills for the entire restaurant (drive thru included), one person maybe two dressing all the burgers, rarely is there someone there just doing dishes.  And this is a busy place! The new place is open 24/7 there are people coming in at all hours of the day and leaving at all hours of the day.  

Right now the new place is trying to get an all new staff, focusing on teamwork and weeding out all those employees who don't get that concept.  So right now it's a challenge and we're hearing it from our guests!  There are so many complaints about slow service and inexperienced servers.  The other day, my last day of training, I was on cash - cashing people out and wishing them a good rest of the day. Everyone (and no, I'm not exaggerating, EVERYONE) that I asked how their experience was said something about the slow service: their burgers were taking 40 to 45 min to come out because we were so busy and only had two grills/ two people making the burgers and one person dressing them (putting all the toppings on).  It was very stressful and unfortunate to see everyone struggling to keep up.  I was talking to the other servers on the shift and they told me that that's normal for that day of the week.... label me flabbergasted! 

Really the new place is a lot of fun. I've felt like I've been playing a game this whole time and it's made me feel really good: the GM and one of the hiring managers are really positive and that makes it a really great workplace, plus I've had multiple comments from guests about my great service and friendly demeanor.  I like it because I feel good at the end of the shift.  I feel like I've touched peoples lives, even if it is by just serving them a burger, and in my co-worker's lives by making their work experience a good one too.  Hopefully I will help encourage the family feel of the place and everyone there will start enjoying their job a little more! :)  

(I know I'm totally out there and in make believe land... but here's to dreaming!)  :D

My first note left by guests at the new place <3

Good early morning!

About to head off to an early morning shift after my first night shift on my own (not in training any more!) This place is pretty awesome, dare I say it.  Reminds me a lot of my first job that I still have fond memories of. Now if only I could instill the idea of team into these people here - like at my first job - then everything would be perfect!