DINING ETIQUETTE

It has been ages since I have written, but I recently started jotting down ideas for a new direction for this blog. Here it goes... hope you find it partially entertaining, and for all of you who work in the service industry, front or back, I hope this all makes sense to you!! Happy cooking and Happy Reading! Here we go with "Dining Etiquette"

INTRO:

Being a restaurant server means I am constantly asked what I am going to do when I "grow up"?, when am I going to get a "real" job?. And I think to myself... I AM in fact grown up, and this "fake" job I am working is probably 10 times more difficult than your desk job 9-5er gig. As a server, you are on your feet constantly, you have to think quick on said feet, you have to have great people skills, be an excellent multi-tasker, a negotiator, someone who talks when no one is listening, and a good listener when EVERYONE is talking. It's a delicate balance, and often times our patience is tested, if only for a brief moment, but in that moment you wish your night was over already.

I have been in the service industry for over half my life, this is what I am good at. This is what I want as my career, although it's hard for some to grasp, it's the truth. I don't enjoy the 9-5 same thing day in day out, eating at my desk, staring at a computer that doesn't give me much in return. I enjoy the human interaction (good and bad), meeting new people, sharing stories, teaching them about a new ingredient or a wine. Interaction with different people everyday, while getting to promote good food, that's what I like. I enjoy chatting with my co-workers on the kitchen line while stuffing family meal in our faces after a long tiring shift, and asking the line cook who made the meal what exactly we are eating, and them sharing a story about how it is their grandmother's "secret" recipe brought all the way from Mexico. Most of the time the service industry is awesome. What other job can you make a schedule that fits your lifestyle needs? Switching shifts so you can actually take that epic 4 day in a row camping trip? We are asleep when everyone else is awake, and awake when the world is sleeping. Rarely do I have to wait in a long line at the bank or grocery store as I can go during the "off peak" time, this also applies to travel, off peak means cheaper flights and hotels. Night serving means your shift begins before rush hour, and ends before the bars close... it's a real win win.

It does have it's drawbacks for some as it does take a certain creature to be on their feet 6-8 hours straight, chose to work late at night, and work up to and after most major holidays... as we are usually open for all the people who don't have to work. And of course, there's the lack of health insurance which truly makes this job "fake", because only "real" jobs offer it to their employees. There is affordable insurance to be had to fit anyone's budget, one just has to research, and I have been lucky enough to have an HSA set up for all if my out of pocket needs, so it's really not that bad.

This blog will help the non-service industry people better understand the lifestyle, the draw, the good times and bad ones, the people, the food, the insight, the knowledge, and the passion for why we have chosen this path in life. It will hopefully teach you the diners how to be better at going out to eat, how not to blame or judge or get angry, but rather to enjoy and let us lead you through a lovely meal start to finish. It is an hour and a half of our lives, and I am here to make it memorable, so, hello and welcome, did you make a reservation?