The Restaurant Industry

Much to everyone's surprise, I have a new job. I'm a fine dining server - again. I know I swore that I hated the service industry, and I still do, but serving is the most efficient way to make money. Argh. I dropped off an application on a Wednedsday, received a call on a Thursday and was hired on a Friday. Voila. Easy enough. Now if only I can endure 10 months of groveling at the feet of others ... it hurts my pride.

I'm convinced that a customer's class is not determined by money but through his or her actions. A guest who dines at a fine restaurant only for special occasions is undoubtedly middle-class. A customer who looks around nervously and appears to be with a benefactor is almost always a working-class patron. The upper-class customers are often the nicest and incidently, the richest. They are also the most relaxed in a fine dining atmosphere. Upper-middle class customers often have something to prove and are a server's worst nightmare because he or she is never satisfied and (sadly) often treats you like dirt. 3 out of 4 of these classes tip-well or at least fair. Guess which patron doesn't tip well? Yep, you guessed it: the upper-middle class.

Perhaps the whole restaurant industry reflects the world in general.... Actions say a lot about people.

p.s. on a different note, my new neighbor across the hall works at the restaurant with me. He's a chef. We (me and my roommates) have a standing invitation for dinner and drinks. Sweet.