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In my opinion, waitresses are the most overlooked profession when it comes to respect. I am always humbled by the hard work they do when I go to a restaurant and see them darting back and forth from counter, kitchen, to table.
To me, there is something sacred about taking a position of direct service to others. Waitressing/waitering is a humbling job. Men and women put themselves in a position where often people are not in good moods and routinely dismiss them as nothing more than order takers or donkeys bringing trayloads of food to them.
Have you ever, or do you often take a moment to converse with your server in restaurants? I have on occassion and most times I am even more humbled by their life, hardships, and striving to improve themselves. I remember one waitress, a heavyset black lady in her early 30's who had an infectious smile, telling us that she had 3 waitressing jobs throughout the week at different locals. She had two children and was single and was putting herself through nursing school a few courses a time each quarter. She had one more year to go (it was taking her a long time to complete her schooling) and then she would proudly say we would not see her again bringing food to us (and we didn`t after that year was up).
I don`t think she was proud that she was leaving the waitressing behind. She took great pride in how she performed her work. She was proud that she was accomplishing something through strong will and hard work in a way that was going to better her life and that of her family. I always remember this lady as an ambassador to all waitresses.
They really are a hardworking lot, and for those who smile through their shifts I can`t help but looking at them with more respect than the Donald Trumps of the world. They push themselves through their often monotonous and tedious routines where many customers do not give them the respect they are deserving of. A tip is not always the only thing they deserve. They, too, deserve smiles back at them and some concern for their lives. That is the extra tip.
I make it a point to tip well and my father also did. The tip was always an important part of our dinners out and never laid lightly with no thought. If a waitress serves me regularly, I also ask to know their names. It is an intimate act of bringing food to one -- and I think that intimacy should entail the friendliness of having a name affixed to the face and greeting that comes with it.
How do you view waiters and waitresses? Do you take the time to conciously notice their demeanor, smile, voice tone, eye contact, etc...?
I do.
Or perhaps there is another profession you would like to hold up as being the most overlooked for respect. Let us know.
To me, there is something sacred about taking a position of direct service to others. Waitressing/waitering is a humbling job. Men and women put themselves in a position where often people are not in good moods and routinely dismiss them as nothing more than order takers or donkeys bringing trayloads of food to them.
Have you ever, or do you often take a moment to converse with your server in restaurants? I have on occassion and most times I am even more humbled by their life, hardships, and striving to improve themselves. I remember one waitress, a heavyset black lady in her early 30's who had an infectious smile, telling us that she had 3 waitressing jobs throughout the week at different locals. She had two children and was single and was putting herself through nursing school a few courses a time each quarter. She had one more year to go (it was taking her a long time to complete her schooling) and then she would proudly say we would not see her again bringing food to us (and we didn`t after that year was up).
I don`t think she was proud that she was leaving the waitressing behind. She took great pride in how she performed her work. She was proud that she was accomplishing something through strong will and hard work in a way that was going to better her life and that of her family. I always remember this lady as an ambassador to all waitresses.
They really are a hardworking lot, and for those who smile through their shifts I can`t help but looking at them with more respect than the Donald Trumps of the world. They push themselves through their often monotonous and tedious routines where many customers do not give them the respect they are deserving of. A tip is not always the only thing they deserve. They, too, deserve smiles back at them and some concern for their lives. That is the extra tip.
I make it a point to tip well and my father also did. The tip was always an important part of our dinners out and never laid lightly with no thought. If a waitress serves me regularly, I also ask to know their names. It is an intimate act of bringing food to one -- and I think that intimacy should entail the friendliness of having a name affixed to the face and greeting that comes with it.
How do you view waiters and waitresses? Do you take the time to conciously notice their demeanor, smile, voice tone, eye contact, etc...?
I do.
Or perhaps there is another profession you would like to hold up as being the most overlooked for respect. Let us know.