To Insure Promptness

If you have never been a server or a bartender, you may not know how much thought, multi-tasking, physical and psychological pains, and effort that goes into being one. I was a server and bartender for many years, and believe me, I was never going to be rich doing it. It is strenuous work physically and mentally, but I did enjoy it. I was a corporate trainer for Applebee's and though I had fun, I am glad those days are over. It was always feast or famine and more times than not, it was famine. You never knew what you would make from one night to the next and it was difficult to make and hold to a budget. But I would never trade those days for anything. I made wonderful friends and it is also where I met my husband.

The Working Life of a Waitress definitely examines all angles of being a server. I found myself reminiscing a lot while reading it. My mind kept wandering to my own stories of waitressing and bartending. I kept finding myself nodding in agreement while reading this. When Rose stated that it is harder to serve when it is slow that when it is busy because your mind becomes slow, I could not have agreed more. I am the same way now at my job as a closer for home equities for the bank I work for. I find that more mistakes are made by me and my colleagues whenever we are slow than when we are busy. You get into a groove and when you are idle, it is harder to get into the swing of things. Plus, usually when you are busy, you are making more money. Of course, when you get into the "weeds" or even "tall grass" it doesn't seem like you are making money because you are so buried you don't ever think you will see the light of day. But if you can get that adrenaline boost and find your timing. you have such feeling of accomplishment. Of course, there are the mean customers you have to deal with too. People that take their food, and life, far too seriously. I have been screamed at, cursed at, and ridiculed, but you just need to tell yourself, that these people are miserable and it is no reflection on you. No matter what you do, they cannot be happy because they will not let themselves be. The only way they can be happy is to be miserable, rude and mean to others. Just always believe in karma!

To Insure Promptness (TIP, if you haven't gotten that yet); if you have never been a server, then you may never fully understand (even though it seems like common sense to me) that if your food takes long...it probably isn't your server's fault...it probably is the people that are cooking it, or the fact that you went out on a Friday or Saturday night at 6 pm for a quick bite to eat....not going to happen unless you are at a fast food restaurant. And remember, as Rose also pointed out, servers don't make very much an hour...so TIP...and don't leave change (I love that story of the waitress who chased the people out of the restaurant who left her 2 coins for a tip and told them they "forgot these"). Leave 20% (or more...that is ok too) or don't go out to eat in the first place. If you aren't going to tip, or if you are going to be a miserable person to the server, then stay home and eat PB&J. You never want to mess with a person who is bringing you food from a place you cannot see :)

Tangerine Julius

Having self confidence is not always easy for some people. We all struggle with some insecurities, some more than others. I am one of those that has more. So, when I was reading Tangerine, I kept realizing how amazing Paul really is. Even though he has to wear some pretty hefty glasses, he really doesn't come off as that insecure. He has more confidence than I ever had. He is definitely aware of himself, but he still has such a great head on his shoulders. Erik, in all his cockiness, seems to be more insecure than Paul is. Even though Erik is "Mr. Tough Guy" he seems to need reassurance from his friends and his father. Paul is picked on by people, but he seems to dust it off and make the best of it. I have comments said to me and I dwell on them for days, weeks, and sometimes years. I can definitely learn a thing or two from Paul. Though he was down on himself for not coming forward after hearing Erik and Luis from under the bleachers, the way he handled himself with his teammates and helping out Tino's family, he is a really amazing kid. I am not sure that when I was his age that I would have been as courageous and confident. He just had his mom drop him off at Tino's without anyone knowing he was coming. I am not sure I would have been able to do that. I was so sad about Luis too. He was such an ally of Paul's and such a role model for his siblings. Life is not always fair, but things do always happen for a reason. Good will always bring about good and evil will bring about evil. It may take time for both, but it always boils down to karma. Erik was going to be a big college football player, but he was an awful person inside and out and it finally caught up to him. You can only be bad for so long but eventually you will get caught. I am glad that Erik was found out and I am glad that Paul's dad is finally spending time and getting to know his other son. Good always prevails.