The Blues of a Collar

The Blues of a Collar

To anyone working in the service industry whether it be a valet parker, waiter, bellman, and bartender tips are everything. It is how they pay their bills, take their children to see the doctor, buy Christmas gifts, and pay rent. None of these people can get buy on $7.50 alone, it is absolutely impossible. If it wasn’t for the tips, doing one of these remedial jobs would be pointless. So one must solely rely on the kindness of others to pay their way though life which often leaves an individual’s destiny uncertain, especially if he/she has to rely on the guest’s generosity. But often people aren’t so generous or don’t understand the concept of dinning out, for example, lets say if a family eats $100.00 worth of food, if they only leave a $2.00 tip, it costs the server money, because at the end of the night the bartender, expo, and busser get one to two percent of the total sales in tips, leaving the waiter with -$2.00 for that table. Now I understand if the service is bad you don’t need to leave a tip, I’m well aware of that, however, it just makes life much more difficult when it costs that individual money to work. It almost cheapens their life. Now one might believe that I have a bias, because I work in the service industry, and of course I do, I can’t help it. I guess I feel sorry for them. However, there are times where the desperation of greed leaves me speechless. For instance, when a server has come up with a new way to scam the restaurant out of money, or when 15% of a check is not enough, it is a fair tip. However, it is nice to receive a little more, lets say 20%. One thing I observed as a server, a few more dollars really makes a difference, it really makes an individual feel happy. It’s really amazing; I guess it makes that particular server feel appreciated. I often say I don’t really care about the money which is a partial truth, I do and I don’t. The amount of money I walk away with at the end of the night doesn’t affect my lifestyle too much, because I don’t have a high over head. However, being tipped well really makes me feel appreciated, like what I did had some kind of meaning.

Two Sides to One Story

John: Yo, yo, yo, how’s it going sir?!
Me: I’m doing ok, John how are you?
John: I’m doing good sir… What is it, the pressure getting to you sir…

For some reason he calls me sir?

Me: A… no I’m fine.
John: It looks like your sweating out there.
Me: No I’m fine
John: Speaking of fine look at those hunnies looking so fine…
Me: A… aren’t you dating Carla?
John: You know me dog… I’m a player. I like, have like three girl friends…
Me: Ha…Ha, ok.

Speaking to Carla the previous day, and it sort of went like this.

Me: How are you Carla? So are you and John still dating?
Carla: Of course… Why wouldn’t I be!
Me: I don’t know? (thinking), because he cheats on you.
Carla: John is like so hot… We are totally going to get married. So are you going to come to the wedding?
Me: Ha… Ha… So are you going to get a golden retriever and a big white house?
Carla: Of course…
Me: If you two love birds get married I’ll be there.

Back to today

John: God that girl has a fine ass.
Me: That’s nice…
John: Would you due her?
Me: I don’t really care. Hey are you sure Carla is cool with you going after other girls?
John: Player, she’s cool with what I tell her to be cool with.
Me: Ok…
John: I bet that one is wild in bed… It’s like this dog… I’ve had her, I crossed Carla off the list.
Me: Oh. Ha… ha… ok…

My Black Friday

My Black Friday

So it was the day after Thanksgiving, I had asked for the day off a month in advance, because I really wanted to spend it with my family. However, like always I was working which I didn’t mind, since my managers told me they really needed me. So I showed up on time, and waited around until my shift began.

Manager: Are you ready for today; are you pumped?!
Me: Aaaa like always boss.
Manager: We’re expecting a lot of people you know…
Me: Hahaha, are we?
Manager: So I need you on your game today, remember no voids.
Me: (Smiling) You got it boss!

I had three tables before they told me to go home because all our guests were still home eating turkey.

Sesame Street - Waiter Grover - Grover the dancing Waiter

Classic Sesame Street - Waiter Grover "takes the cakes"

O'Classic Sesame O'Street - O'Grover the Fast Food O'Waiter

Sesame Street - Grover the Waiter - Big Hamburger