Sometimes I think ‘what if I didn’t get that job?’, ‘what would I be doing at the weekends now?’, ‘how did I manage before a job?’,

So let’s go back, last April – my mother suggested to me about getting a summer job. I mean come on, where is the harm? Sure it was only a summer job, which means I would be making moola, easy peasy? Oh boy did I learn.

I forgot to mention it was my first job. Which since then it has been one of the best and worst things I have done in my life thus far – a roller-coaster is best to describe it.

 

There is not much need really to walk you through the interview and trail process because I obviously received the job so it’s best to just get right into this blog post.

 

This blog post is the ‘pits, peaks and positives of being a waitress.’

 

When I come home at the weekends and throughout the summer, all I do is work; I mean I say this as I am currently writing this post in-between my split shift.

So why not write about it as all I seem to do is enter this world that only my work colleagues know about.

I probably won’t cover all aspects but I’m sure some of you can relate, these are also just some of the things I experience.

Enjoy some relatable tales,

For those of you who don’t know, I am a waitress, bar-person and all-rounder at the Cill Aodain Court Hotel in Kiltimagh, Co.Mayo.

Just to say I do not think I am amazing or anything when I say ‘all-rounder’, I just mean as it is a small hotel, sometimes you can find yourself doing almost anything and that is how we lead into my first point.

Doing almost and absolutely anything: Quiet/Busy/In-Between, a hotel can be amongst the strangest places to work in as you find yourself doing jobs that you didn’t state you could do on your CV and tasks that the job title never requested.

Some of these include – Running across to the supermarket when you run out of lemons, cleaning high chairs, photocopying, cleaning down the legs of tables and warming up babies’ bottles.

These may be weird and unexpected but hey, at least you are learning some new skills.

To be glam or not to be glam – Let me just say, being a waitress really has its moments when it comes to living the glamourous lifestyle.

I may look posed and put together when I take your empty plates away but trust me, when taking three away at a time; plates are not light.

Emptying and scraping food into a waste bin really is not enjoyable either but look it is all a part of the job.

Also – makeup, I mean of course I make an effort when I go to work; I make sure I have showered and my hair is tied back, I am tidy and hygienic but when it comes to beating that face, sometimes the extra 20 minutes of sleep or relaxation really is worth it.

Do not even get me started on fake nails; my biggest fear would to be a resident or customer to report a fake nail or a spec of nail polish in their meal – also, nobody likes seeing nails that are half painted and chipped so if you’re considering the waitress life, just play it safe and have your hands/ nails clean and plain.

It is also tiring, running around and on your feet for hours at a time whilst carrying trays and plates can be a workout to say the least.

Checking the rota to see if you’re on the same shift with your work bestie – Who would have thought that people you may not have talked to as much before can become someone that you look forward to seeing and someone who makes a few hours bearable.

Occasions/Mornings/Lunch/Dinner or just any regular work day; working with the right person / people can actually make the time fly. I find it hilarious really, you live in this little world with the same few people and chat about stuff only work people would know.

“Did you table away table 56?”

“Are you busy? Can you make me a cappuccino for table 10? I’ll put it on the bill.”

Various other conversations follow.

Double checking everything and anything – I know for myself anyways, I forever worry about tables. I know for sure the order is correct as I write it all down (even specifics), but just little things like ketchup and water, steak knives , resetting a table after starters or that pint of Heineken table 18 asked for…. ten minutes ago Alisha………..

Clocking in/out – The relief when clocking in at ‘.59’ but then again trying to trick the system when finishing up at (for example), ‘9.57’ but doing a lap of the place just so you can clock out on the dot.

Tips – I never thought tips even existed until I started to work in a hotel, but I will tell you they make a difference. I get paid every two weeks so it is lovely to come home to some tips from the weekend before. I plan for the summer is to get a jar and save them up as I wouldn’t even notice all the money adding up.

Familiar faces – I work in the town that I grew up in, so it is highly likely that I shall get some familiar faces in for events and food at the hotel. These would include teachers from when I was in secondary school / Family / Friends and just general people I would know from the town.

Honestly not that it is a problem, I am a fairly friendly person and I love the chats so if I didn’t have familiar faces it would make time go by at a slower pace.

(There is always a ‘but’) But, when I am serving food and drinks, it really is not the best time to be having a catch-up with somebody so I would worry that I could be coming across rude or snobby from the other side, especially when it is busy, honestly that is not the case but I’m sure people understand.

 

You also have the awkward conversations with adults you haven’t seen in a while “what are you doing with yourself now?” “Are you Christina’s daughter? Well aren’t you as grown up.” Etc, etc, etc.

Silly mistakes – We all do it, we would not be human if we didn’t – but hearing a ‘Coke’ instead of ‘Corona’ or pressing ‘Chicken Stir-Fry’ instead of ‘Chicken Curry’ on the ordering system, dropping the odd glass or fork.

I before gave a vegetarian (I am the worst), a chicken salad instead of just a plain one and there were tears so it is okay, I hear you.

Chefs – Your best friend or your worst enemy. Keep your orders right and take food to the right table and you will keep your head above the water when it comes to the kitchen staff.

Sticking up for yourself and being light hearted – A job in a hotel can be stressful but make sure you are been treated fairly, get your breaks and do not get left with all the work. Do not let other workers and managers speak at you but on the other hand you must accept with it being a hot and heavy job things can be said in the moment if things go wrong so try not to lash out and to not take it seriously.

Approach – Sometimes you can meet the most lovely people but you can also come across the most fussy people to enter your restaurant so if they are not happy with something, try not to get annoyed at them, just address the fact that you’re sorry and let the manager handle the rest.

I know you may be in a bad mood but from experience of going out for food I know that a server’s mood and attitude can have an effect on your experience.  You always hear about people speaking of the service so try your best to let your brilliant work do the talking rather than your mouth.

The Elderly– My legitimate favourite people to serve, I should not pick favourites but they are so polite and patient. Especially on Sunday’s – groups come in and my heart cannot take the cuteness.

 

Money – If you are anything like me, you love spending money just as much as you love making it.

I love to treat myself and the ones I care about. I can finally fund the wardrobe and lifestyle I have wanted whilst saving.

It makes me completely independent and I had not realised how much I was handed on a plate until I worked a day in the real world with real people.

Work can be stressful and hard work, but at the end of the day, money makes the world go around and you can’t really do a lot without it.

 

I am going to make this outro short as I have kept you all here for this long (if you made it this far, thank you dearly),

Anyways I hope everyone enjoyed this piece as it was something different!

All I can say is, if working in a hotel full time is what you do, fair play as I really do commend you because it is a tough job.

Until next timeeeeeee,

Alisha X