Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
More Drama
The girl who started the same day as me, Baby, almost got fired last weekend. She didn't show up, didn't call, and GM had a serious talk with her when she came back.
We were talking about it Monday afternoon, and I mentioned that one of the older clique-y girls didn't show up once last week either and the manager was irate.
So Baby goes on about how bullshit that is because she had a legit reason and the other girl went to get her hair done and blah blah blah.
Another one of the older girls heard this and piped up: It's seniority. Soandso has done a lot for this store so you shouldn't talk about her. When you've been here for four years you get away with more.
She was more angry than that sounded, and I ducked out of that pretty quickly. By the end of the night I was ready to kill Baby too. In an effort to suck up to the managers (I'm assuming), I found her hanging out at my tables ALL THE TIME. She even took the order of some guys who had JUST sat in my section, and I had to go over and explain that I was their server. I still saw her hanging out and taking their plates at least three more times that night. Another time, she called me out in front of my table. I had brought a new pitcher of Bud Light to them a few minutes earlier, but she caught them refilling their glass. I went over to see why she was again helping out my table, when she said "Next time, if these gentlemen have empty glasses, you need to fill them yourself."
B, please. The glasses were NOT empty when I delivered their pitcher, and I'm not about to hover over them waiting for them to swallow that last drop so I can refill it.
Plus, she started the same day as I did, and does a much worse job. She NEVER does her sidework properly, and I see curly fries littering the floor of her section at the end of every night.
I'm pleased to announce that she had to deal with a horrible table later that night. A total of $80, with about a 70 cent tip from the only one who bothered tipping her. And they laughed about it.
If she wasn't such a bad waitress, I might feel bad for her. But she needs to stay out of my section.
We were talking about it Monday afternoon, and I mentioned that one of the older clique-y girls didn't show up once last week either and the manager was irate.
So Baby goes on about how bullshit that is because she had a legit reason and the other girl went to get her hair done and blah blah blah.
Another one of the older girls heard this and piped up: It's seniority. Soandso has done a lot for this store so you shouldn't talk about her. When you've been here for four years you get away with more.
She was more angry than that sounded, and I ducked out of that pretty quickly. By the end of the night I was ready to kill Baby too. In an effort to suck up to the managers (I'm assuming), I found her hanging out at my tables ALL THE TIME. She even took the order of some guys who had JUST sat in my section, and I had to go over and explain that I was their server. I still saw her hanging out and taking their plates at least three more times that night. Another time, she called me out in front of my table. I had brought a new pitcher of Bud Light to them a few minutes earlier, but she caught them refilling their glass. I went over to see why she was again helping out my table, when she said "Next time, if these gentlemen have empty glasses, you need to fill them yourself."
B, please. The glasses were NOT empty when I delivered their pitcher, and I'm not about to hover over them waiting for them to swallow that last drop so I can refill it.
Plus, she started the same day as I did, and does a much worse job. She NEVER does her sidework properly, and I see curly fries littering the floor of her section at the end of every night.
I'm pleased to announce that she had to deal with a horrible table later that night. A total of $80, with about a 70 cent tip from the only one who bothered tipping her. And they laughed about it.
If she wasn't such a bad waitress, I might feel bad for her. But she needs to stay out of my section.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Drama, Etc.
The past few shifts have gone relatively smoothly, which is nice. As I suspected when I first applied, working in a place with (mostly) attractive girls has its downsides, namely, a ton of drama.
I haven't had any real problems. On one of my first nights, the head wait snapped at me ("Is there any reason why you just ran my drinks to 24?"), but she apologized later, saying she usually doesn't care but they'd just sat down and she didn't want to look like a bad waitress. Other than that, I've steered clear. I keep my mouth shut, and people think I'm shy, but I'll take being perceived as shy and staying out of the drama over the alternative.
Saturday morning I got my first taste of the tension between some of the other girls (Okay, that's not true, last week one of the girls told another that she was "really upset" with her because the second girl had served the first girl's fiance and he didn't like the service or some crap, but that's another story). One of our servers is a really cute girl. She, like a lot of the other girls, including myself, is in college, but unlike most of us, she's at a school about four hours away from the store. So every two weeks she drives back after her Friday morning class, works all weekend, and drives back Sunday night. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.
Anyway, one of the really Mean Girls was complaining about it for who knows what reason as soon as she came in. The girl was a little bit late, and after Bitchy McBitchface finished going on about "blah blah blah why would you drive four hours to come in to work?" to her equally bitchy posse, we were punting paper towel rolls for section picks, in honor of the first day of college football.
Well Bitch didn't like the fact that our Head Wait wasn't making the other girl pick last since she was late. We never really adhere to that "rule", but all of a sudden it was the most important thing in the world, regardless of the fact that Bitch has come in late and drunk on occasion.
The other girl didn't even really know what to think. She offered to pick last but they just wanted something to complain about, and they continued to do so for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, our bartender pointed out to one of the other girls in the posse that her hair "looked like a catastrophe". Not the words I would have used, but she's a corporate trainer, so if she thought she needed to point it out, that's fine and dandy. The other girl flipped out and so everyone was in a foul mood all day.
In other news...
I ended up working the rest of Labor Day weekend. I was cut on Sunday since it was so slow, and went home with only $3. Last night I did better, but I had one table that stiffed me! I guess there's a first time for everything, but I am so confused. They were one of my only tables, so I gave them good service. Their food came out quickly and nothing was wrong with it. I got them refills, and then they had the nerve to hand me $26.72 (that's right, PENNIES). Most people who don't tip usually duck out and leave the money on the table, but this woman and her husband (who was incapable of ordering for himself), straight counted her change in front of me and handed it to me. Ugh. Some people don't deserve to live. $2.13 an hour is not paying my rent, believe it or not.
So, the moral of these stories is TIP YOUR WAITRESS and don't start drama. Both are highly irritating.
I haven't had any real problems. On one of my first nights, the head wait snapped at me ("Is there any reason why you just ran my drinks to 24?"), but she apologized later, saying she usually doesn't care but they'd just sat down and she didn't want to look like a bad waitress. Other than that, I've steered clear. I keep my mouth shut, and people think I'm shy, but I'll take being perceived as shy and staying out of the drama over the alternative.
Saturday morning I got my first taste of the tension between some of the other girls (Okay, that's not true, last week one of the girls told another that she was "really upset" with her because the second girl had served the first girl's fiance and he didn't like the service or some crap, but that's another story). One of our servers is a really cute girl. She, like a lot of the other girls, including myself, is in college, but unlike most of us, she's at a school about four hours away from the store. So every two weeks she drives back after her Friday morning class, works all weekend, and drives back Sunday night. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.
Anyway, one of the really Mean Girls was complaining about it for who knows what reason as soon as she came in. The girl was a little bit late, and after Bitchy McBitchface finished going on about "blah blah blah why would you drive four hours to come in to work?" to her equally bitchy posse, we were punting paper towel rolls for section picks, in honor of the first day of college football.
Well Bitch didn't like the fact that our Head Wait wasn't making the other girl pick last since she was late. We never really adhere to that "rule", but all of a sudden it was the most important thing in the world, regardless of the fact that Bitch has come in late and drunk on occasion.
The other girl didn't even really know what to think. She offered to pick last but they just wanted something to complain about, and they continued to do so for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, our bartender pointed out to one of the other girls in the posse that her hair "looked like a catastrophe". Not the words I would have used, but she's a corporate trainer, so if she thought she needed to point it out, that's fine and dandy. The other girl flipped out and so everyone was in a foul mood all day.
In other news...
I ended up working the rest of Labor Day weekend. I was cut on Sunday since it was so slow, and went home with only $3. Last night I did better, but I had one table that stiffed me! I guess there's a first time for everything, but I am so confused. They were one of my only tables, so I gave them good service. Their food came out quickly and nothing was wrong with it. I got them refills, and then they had the nerve to hand me $26.72 (that's right, PENNIES). Most people who don't tip usually duck out and leave the money on the table, but this woman and her husband (who was incapable of ordering for himself), straight counted her change in front of me and handed it to me. Ugh. Some people don't deserve to live. $2.13 an hour is not paying my rent, believe it or not.
So, the moral of these stories is TIP YOUR WAITRESS and don't start drama. Both are highly irritating.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Are You Smarter Than a Hooters Girl?
I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown last night. I did a HORRIBLE job.
I actually got first pick (after Head Wait and the doubles) last night, because I had the highest PPA of the girls working that night :) I don't even know what that is, I think it has to do with selling merch or something? But I was excited. I didn't want to step on anybody's toes though (We have some reallly f*cking catty girls), so I chose nonsmoking, expecting a busy but smooth night.
I went over to talk to one of the nicer girls once we got on the floor because it was still empty, and she was somewhat bothered about getting last pick. "Brit, will you trade sections with me?" she joked. She needed to make money that night, and with the tables she had she wasn't going to. So I said sure. I'd just paid rent, so I didn't need it too badly, and there would be other nights. She was ecstatic, and I ended up with a section of four tables. One booth, one table right under a tv, one huge table for big parties, and one little table in front of one of the waitstations where the girls tend to hang out and leave their shit. So, 3/4 were not going to stay full.
Or so I thought. Four tables isn't a lot to manage, but those big groups are like two tables on their own. They interrupt each other to ask for things, they all want separate checks that I suck at keeping track of, and I had two groups like that. One 21st birthday and one group of guys. Plus my other tables. By the end of the night I had one table of three leave because a girl's Bloody Mary was taking so long and I hadn't been able to get their order because I was taking the orders of 10 guys at the big table. And I heard mutters from the birthday group about not coming back. Ugh.
I will say that once trivia was done (every Wednesday we have it...except last night was the last one), things went smoothly. I had small tables that were happy with their food, drinks were going out faster, and I ended up making about fifteen dollars more than the girl with whom I traded sections.
I actually got first pick (after Head Wait and the doubles) last night, because I had the highest PPA of the girls working that night :) I don't even know what that is, I think it has to do with selling merch or something? But I was excited. I didn't want to step on anybody's toes though (We have some reallly f*cking catty girls), so I chose nonsmoking, expecting a busy but smooth night.
I went over to talk to one of the nicer girls once we got on the floor because it was still empty, and she was somewhat bothered about getting last pick. "Brit, will you trade sections with me?" she joked. She needed to make money that night, and with the tables she had she wasn't going to. So I said sure. I'd just paid rent, so I didn't need it too badly, and there would be other nights. She was ecstatic, and I ended up with a section of four tables. One booth, one table right under a tv, one huge table for big parties, and one little table in front of one of the waitstations where the girls tend to hang out and leave their shit. So, 3/4 were not going to stay full.
Or so I thought. Four tables isn't a lot to manage, but those big groups are like two tables on their own. They interrupt each other to ask for things, they all want separate checks that I suck at keeping track of, and I had two groups like that. One 21st birthday and one group of guys. Plus my other tables. By the end of the night I had one table of three leave because a girl's Bloody Mary was taking so long and I hadn't been able to get their order because I was taking the orders of 10 guys at the big table. And I heard mutters from the birthday group about not coming back. Ugh.
I will say that once trivia was done (every Wednesday we have it...except last night was the last one), things went smoothly. I had small tables that were happy with their food, drinks were going out faster, and I ended up making about fifteen dollars more than the girl with whom I traded sections.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
First Week on the Floor
Last week I worked Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. I was terrified. Wednesday night is our Trivia night, and Saturday was UFC night, so we were packed. I had five tables in my sections, and with the exception of taking home $18 in tips Tuesday night, I did pretty well. Over 100 Wednesday and Saturday (thank goodness, rent is due today), and I did okay managing everything. I forgot to bring ashtrays a couple times, and had to be reminded by my customers (oops), and one of my managers snapped at me for not getting my drinks from the bar fast enough my first night. Sigh.
I have a similar schedule this week. Tonight and tomorrow night, + Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I have an old friend visiting this weekend too, so it's going to be stressful.
I will have more detailed/interesting stories to come, I promise! I'm still getting used to the school and work thing, I've never had a job while I was in school before.
I have a similar schedule this week. Tonight and tomorrow night, + Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I have an old friend visiting this weekend too, so it's going to be stressful.
I will have more detailed/interesting stories to come, I promise! I'm still getting used to the school and work thing, I've never had a job while I was in school before.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Training Days 3 and 4
I had a day of between my third and fourth days of training, and I needed it.
On Day 3, I was supposed to take my menu test. Unfortunately, I was working on my online Alcohol Serving class the night before and kind of put off studying for the menu. As a result, I knew all of 1 of our signature drinks, which was one of the 11 pages of the test.
Other than that, I spent day 3 with the girl who first got me an application and told me I was hired. She's really nice and bubbly and definitely knows what she's doing. She introduced me to all her tables and I got drinks and rang in food. I was starting to remember all the stuff I was supposed to do.
Yesterday was my last day. I retook the menu test (only 3 or 4 wrong, none of them drinks :)), did my mock shop (that didn't go so hot, my trainer from Day 3 was reviewing me and she intentionally asked about promotions and what things came with what and I'm still having trouble remembering all that).
Most importantly, I got my own section! Keep in mind, I've NEVER waitressed before this so it was a huge deal. I was given three tables, but we had a huge group of guys come in with their kids and hang out for like 6 hours playing fantasy football. They had a big display in front of their tables and part of it was in the way of one side of one of my booths, if that makes sense. So no one sat there all day. So I really only had two tables in my "section". Anyway, when I got off work around 6, I'd made $75 in tips on 6 tables. I don't know how good that is, considering it was a Saturday afternoon, but I'm excited :)
I work three nights next week so I'll have more posts soon!
On Day 3, I was supposed to take my menu test. Unfortunately, I was working on my online Alcohol Serving class the night before and kind of put off studying for the menu. As a result, I knew all of 1 of our signature drinks, which was one of the 11 pages of the test.
Other than that, I spent day 3 with the girl who first got me an application and told me I was hired. She's really nice and bubbly and definitely knows what she's doing. She introduced me to all her tables and I got drinks and rang in food. I was starting to remember all the stuff I was supposed to do.
Yesterday was my last day. I retook the menu test (only 3 or 4 wrong, none of them drinks :)), did my mock shop (that didn't go so hot, my trainer from Day 3 was reviewing me and she intentionally asked about promotions and what things came with what and I'm still having trouble remembering all that).
Most importantly, I got my own section! Keep in mind, I've NEVER waitressed before this so it was a huge deal. I was given three tables, but we had a huge group of guys come in with their kids and hang out for like 6 hours playing fantasy football. They had a big display in front of their tables and part of it was in the way of one side of one of my booths, if that makes sense. So no one sat there all day. So I really only had two tables in my "section". Anyway, when I got off work around 6, I'd made $75 in tips on 6 tables. I don't know how good that is, considering it was a Saturday afternoon, but I'm excited :)
I work three nights next week so I'll have more posts soon!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Training Day 2
Today is my last day of training, but I promise I'll recap Day 3 soon.
On day 2, I was actually trained a little bit. I followed one of the girls around, took drink orders, and rang in food. I learned the "Ring, Sling, and Bring" rule, and took my liquor and ticket times test.
I got 100% on the liquor test, and 42/44 on the ticket times. :) So far so good.
I also met some of the regulars, both the nice ones and the creepy ones. Ick.
Now I need to finish getting ready for my last day! I have a menu re-test (oops), and my mock shop where my manager pretends to be my customer and makes sure I do all the steps. Our store is expecting a Secret Shopper anytime now so I hope I remember everything :\
On day 2, I was actually trained a little bit. I followed one of the girls around, took drink orders, and rang in food. I learned the "Ring, Sling, and Bring" rule, and took my liquor and ticket times test.
I got 100% on the liquor test, and 42/44 on the ticket times. :) So far so good.
I also met some of the regulars, both the nice ones and the creepy ones. Ick.
Now I need to finish getting ready for my last day! I have a menu re-test (oops), and my mock shop where my manager pretends to be my customer and makes sure I do all the steps. Our store is expecting a Secret Shopper anytime now so I hope I remember everything :\
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