You're server is making $2.33 an hour...

As you know by my previous blogs, I am a server at a restaraunt. I work 4 to 5 days a week serving tables, and dealing with customers who range from happy to not happy. Some tables are already grumpy when they enter the door, some tables are in a good mood no matter what. It all varies by the customers I meet, which is why I love my job. I get to interact with so many different people, its definatley never boring. I have been working in restaraunts since I was 16,and I have done pretty much every job imaginable. Lately, I have been joking with my managers about how I am going to write a book on what to do, and what not to do when your at a restaraunt. An insight into the mind of a server who is waiting on you're table. This week's blog will be just a few things I have come up with.
1) Your server is getting paid $2.00 to $3.00 an hour, depending on the restaraunt. You heard it right, in Wisconsin most restaraunts only pay thier servers $2 to $3 an hour. Our entire job is based on tips. So when you and your friends think its funny to leave a pile of change in the shape of a smiley face on the table, we are not smiling. We can't pay any sort of monthly bill with that smiley face.
2) If you need a refill, ask, instead of sucking on your empty glass.
It is probably the most dreaded noise to my ears. If you need a refill on a drink ask, or set the empty glass at the end of the table. Don't suck on the straw in your empty glass. That's just rude. Would you act like that if you were having dinner with you're mother? No, because she raised you with manners, so act like it.
3)Servers are perfectly capable of understanding what you're saying...so don't snap your fingers.
This goes for snapping your fingers, clapping you're hands, or waving at us. We understand that you are in our section. We aren't you're pets, so don't snap or clap at us. This also includes yelling our names across the dining room, or waving you're empty coffee pot around. We can see you, and we can comprehend you just asking for another pot. We aren't all rocket scientists, but we can understand simple requests.
4) Just because you went out to eat, doesn't mean your kids get to trash the place.
We understand that you went out to eat so you wouldn't have to clean up a mess at home. We also expect to have to do a little extra clean up, that's only natural. However, this does not make it acceptable for your kid to be smearing crushed up macaroni everywhere, and throwing food all over the place. This also goes for them running all over and yelling. You try carrying an entire tray of hot food, and having some toddler run in front of you while thier parents are letting them do laps around the dining room. Lastly, you apologizing because you let your kid make a compost heap on our table does not make it okay. We say it's okay, because that's our job, but we don't mean it.
5) We don't cook the food, we only serve it.
Its understandable to be upset if your server completely messes up you're order. They totally rang it in wrong, thats thier job, so you have every right to be mad. That bieng said, we are not cooking you're food. We don't hop back behind the cooks line after taking you're order. So if you don't like the way something tastes, or the temperature isn't right, we didn't make it. You are completely entitled to let us know so we can fix it, but throwing a temper tantrum like some 6 year old is just rediculous. I don't stick my fingers in you're mashed potatoes, so how would I ever know they were cold? You're right, I did it on purpose so you could yell at me about it, you caught me. And honestly, as an adult, don't you have bigger things to worry about in life? If your entire day is ruined by your steak not bieng medium rare, then it's time to evaluate how you're spending your days.

These are just a few I could remember off the top of my head, but I hope I gave you something to chew on next time you go out to eat! Treat your servers well!

A week of wonderful music, and new oppurtunities...

Today was the first day at my new job for me...and I haven't been this excited in a very long time! I recently put in my 2 weeks notice at Perkins. If you have ever been to Perkins after 1a.m., you understand why. I don't think drunk people are that funny unless I'm drunk too. And not to mention the awful aprons they make us wear...and having to deal with senior citizens and push pie like its a drug...Can you tell that I was ready for a new job or what!?
I learned alot while working at Perkins, and got some management experience. I am going to school for business management, so I really appreciate that they gave me that oppurtunity...but my new job is amazing! I was searching for a new job all summer, and getting to put in my 2 weeks notice in at Perkins was so satisfying. Working at a corporate place like that may work for some people, but it definitley wasn't for me.
My new job is so much more laid back...I get to wear jeans and a polo shirt to serve tables. It really doesn't get any better than that. I will be making better money while working less, which will really help with my last year in school. I get to work right downtown, which means I will get to meet some awesome people. The sidework that I have there is cut in half compared to Perkins, and if you have ever been a server you know that means alot. Everyone that works there is really nice, and my trainer was really helpful and sweet. That was my exciting day, but wait until you hear about my exciting week...
As you read in my previous post, going to shows and seeing bands is one of my favorite hobbies. Well this week has been jam packed with that. I got to road trip with my best friend to Milwaukee to see one of my favorite bands, The Bled, on Saturday. If you ever get a chance to see them...do it! It was so amazing live, so much energy. Also, my favorite band Poison The Well is playing tomorrow, right here in LaCrosse! They are a pretty big band, and the fact that they are playing here, in such a small town at a small venue, is rare. I usually have to drive for hours to see them. I cannot wait for that show!! Not to mention that Everytime I Die, and Protest The Hero have new albums in store this week....what a good month for music! If you have no idea who any of these bands are, just fill in the blanks with your favorite bands and imagine my excitement!
So, I predicted that this blog would be all about my first day and how awesome my new job is. Now I am going to guess that my next blog will be about working on my own, and how nervous and stressed I will be...we'll see, new jobs are full of so many nerves and so much excitement all at the same time. I'm going to need to take full advantage of the mass drinking and my first legal Oktoberfest after this training week.

8 a.m. on August 27th came way too soon...

Can you believe the summer is already over? It seems like just yesterday I was dumping all of my old homework, selling back my books, and waving goodbye to TC for the summer. I suppose it's time to get back into the daily grind of school and work, and give sleeping until noon a break. If you are reading my blog, I should probably tell you a little bit more about myself. This might make reading my weekly dose of chatter a little more interesting.

My name is Trista, and I am 21 years old. I am currently enrolled at WTC, and am in the Business Management Program. Finally being legal to drink, and trying to complete my last year of school, may prove to be a challenge. I've always enjoyed a good challenge though, isn't that partly what college is all about? I work at Perkins as a certified trainer/ server, and I used to be a manager there as well. However, I just put my 2 weeks notice in at Perkins, and will be working at Buzzards Billy's soon!! I am really excited!! I finally decided what I wanted to go to school for after managing at Perkins for a year. I really enjoyed working in customer service, and knowing that I was in charge of the restaurant was something I knew I could get used to in the future.

So, then there's the big question that every college student gets tired of answering. "What do you want to do after you graduate?". It makes sense that your friends and family would want to know. I am in my last year of a 2 year program that I stretched out to 4 years. My family is probably ready for me to start making money, instead of spending tons of it trying to figure myself out. The truth is I have no idea what I want to do after I graduate. I know I want to do something in a restaurant, or anywhere that I get to work with lots of people, and provide some sort of customer service. However, the thought of actually having to be an adult and get a real job is pretty intimidating to me.

Being intimidated about having to face the real world suits me personality pretty well. My friends will tell you that I am a very fun loving, outgoing person. If I am not at school or work, I am with my friends and family. I have a little sister named Cali and a best friend named Jenna, who mean everything to me. You will probably hear a lot about them in my blogs. After school, work, and friends, i enjoy filling my free time with music. I like listening to music, learning about new music, and going to a lot of concerts. Going to concerts out of town with Jenna is one of my favorite things to do, it's so much fun exploring new cities!

So, that's my first blog all about me. I'm sure my next couple blogs will involve being the rookie at a new job...thanks for reading!