I'll have the usual please
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
United States
January 11, 2016 8:25am CST
I worked as a waitress for a few years, and then as a banquet server. For those who are unaware, a banquet server is basically a glorified waitress. The only difference is you are serving classier people. Now this isn't always the case, but for the most part it is.
As a banquet server, I was discouraged from communicating with the tables that were assigned to me. Also, 8 or even 10 people could sit at one table. It was a lot of heavy and hard work.
Anyway, that's not what this is about. My family (and sometimes I) go out to eat in the mornings. The waitress that serves us knows exactly what our usual is. I observed her taking the order of another regular this morning and I have to say I am amazed.
I suppose if you had the same patrons come in it would be easy to remember what they usually get, but I was still very much amazed. I don't even think I could do that. She is also very very prompt and polite.
I actually worked as a waitress for a few days at this restaurant, though it's been over ten years now.
Have you ever waited tables or bused them?
7 people like this
8 responses
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
I have never worked as a waitress, but I appreciate a good one. Be nice, be attentive but not over bearing and you will get a good tip from me.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
11 Jan 16
Yes! I don't like the ones who are constantly asking if we want a refill! Just leave us be so we can chat amongst ourselves!
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 Fine line isn't it? I've had ones that have hardly come to the table and then ones that might as well sit down and eat with us they are there so much!
We tend to go to the same restaurant over and over and over again so the wait staff know us pretty well.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum But show me enough attention so I don't feel neglected.
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
11 Jan 16
i never did. to be always on your feet, have a lot of patience but be alert and quick at the same time is challenging for me.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
11 Jan 16
yes being on one's feet and constantly moving can be quite tiresome for the body! Waitressing is something I hope I never have to go back to.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
11 Jan 16
I have worked as a hostess but never a waiter / server. I have bad memory and could not remember well (orders) even though I am to write them down.. you would need to write short cuts.
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
13 Jan 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum I have bad memory but I guess after awhile, it takes getting used to. Then, I found out the food industry wasn't for me. Then I am now in the mechanical field (sorta). But I am going to go back to school to complete my business degree. But, back to the topic - it is nice how the waitress that usually serves you (+your family) remembers the usual/how you all want your food! That shows 100% commitment and loyalty, she must really love her job! 
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
11 Jan 16
When I was a waitress you had short cuts to write like french fries was FF. She stll writes them down, she just remembers exactly what we want and how we want it.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
24 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby She is a very friendly woman for sure. I suppose she likes her job well enough, it's a family oriented restaurant, friendly atmosphere.
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
12 Jan 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum He he, for me it worked better actually since I didn't really like to even small talks with people. It was hard work (the trays were large and heavy) but everything to be served were already organized for the functions so I didn't really have to take individual orders or anything like that such as when I was waitressing.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@sishy7 Yes already having a meal plan was good. I enjoy when we had a buffet style, but those we were running around more in.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
11 Jan 16
I think banquet serving was the one I hated the most. The place I worked at? You catered to two hotels and a convention center. You weren't allowed to talk to the people you were serving either.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
11 Jan 16
Yes I have waited tables in all manner of places and also did serve as a banquet server. I made lots of good money and actually did not mind the job. My mother always said to me that she did not know how I could remember all the orders.
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum It is tough on the hands and wrists as the trays are so very heavy with all the plates for banquets.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
11 Jan 16
I always had to write my orders down and I could never remember the orders of a regular customer. Banquet Serving was the least fun for me.
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
12 Jan 16
I've never been a waitress and I'm not sure I'd be able to handle it. I would be sooo scared of dropping something on someone. lol
I'm not a fan of them being discouraged from communicating to the people at the table, though. I've never liked the idea of a waitress being "beneath" anyone or treated like they are just there to serve. It doesn't feel right. Anytime I go to a restaurant I'm always striking up a conversation with the waitor/waitress. I won't take up their time obviously, but I like to be friendly and treat them well.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
12 Jan 16
I was discouraged from communication when I was a server at a hotel / convention center. It was always large parties. I usually had three tables which meant 30 people in total.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
24 Jan 16
@missjessicadawn A lot of times we were too busy to talk. We did have some buffet style banquets and were able to converse more if the clients wanted to do so. Most of them did ignore us though.
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
13 Jan 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum So what happened if someone tried to strike up a conversation with you? Did you just have to ignore them?
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
12 Jan 16
No I've never done that before, I sure it's got to be hard work with being on you feet and sometimes have hard customers to deal with.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
12 Jan 16
I don't think I ever had truly difficult customers. Keeping up with all tables wasn't easy for sure.
@CrossingBorders (249)
• Hidden Valley Lake, California
13 Jan 16
I was never a waiter or did the restaurant scene, but I did do dishes before due to lack of money to pay for food.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
24 Jan 16
Really? We like to joke about that when out in a restaurant but have never heard of anyone doing it before.
