What I Have Learned

Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.

Lin Pernille.

Being a waitress and working in the restaurant industry has taught me many things. Some important skills that I hope to use elsewhere, and some important, valuable life lessons as well.

Multitasking:
Waitressing has taught me the important skill of multitasking. Whether it is the literal sense, where I have to wait my tables, make malts, answer the phone, and seat tables, or it is simply being able to manage work and life at the same time. Multitasking is an important skill, that should be mastered.

Prioritize:
Waitressing has taught me how to prioritize, in a couple ways. At work, there are many instances where I have to prioritize. In my place of work, there are two things that come first, always. #1, FOOD! If you have food in the window, that comes first. I don’t care if table 17 is waiting for a Pepsi refill, at least they will get warm and not cold food. And #2, the phone. If the phone is ringing, for goodness sakes, just answer the dang thing, even if you have to answer it and put the person on hold for a minute, at least they were acknowledged. The other way I have had to learn to prioritize, is between life and work. For example, your sister has one of her many dance recitals this weekend, you have to decide if you want to take off another Saturday from work, or miss the recital.

Acting:
Not only am I a waitress, I am an actress as well. One of my number one rules I’m always telling employees is, “Leave it at the back door!” What I mean by that is, I don’t care if you’re hungover, or if you and your boyfriend just got into a fight. Don’t bring it to work with you. No, I’m not heartless, I care about all my coworkers very much, but there’s a time and a place for everything. And work, is not the place for personal drama. That being said, things happen, life sucks. But the second you clock in a walk up to your table, you put on that fake smile and make your acting skills come to life.

Working in a restaurant may not always be ideal. Nor is any job. But you can learn a lot, if you choose to!

Knowledge is only given to those who are willing to seek it.

Socrates.