I’ve worked in my fair share of restaurants, so I’m going to give you some insight on why you should be a waitress at some point in your life. I’m not saying it’s my dream job or that I want to go back to it, but there are some valuable work and life skills I learned during my years of slinging hash. So read on and find out why you should be a waitress.
1. Improved Work Ethic
When you’re a waitress, you don’t get breaks. You’re on your feet running your butt off for your entire shift. It’s exhausting and demoralizing sometimes, but you should be a waitress anyway because this demanding workload builds a work ethic you’ll benefit from for the rest of your life. Getting used to a crazy busy day on the job helps you prepare for any job you get in the future and teaches you how to give it your all and not slack off anytime you go to work.
2. You Get in Shape
As I said above, you don’t stop moving when you’re waiting tables, so that means you burn mega calories and work your muscles at the same time. Not only can you stay slender, but you build great looking legs, arms and shoulders from all the lifting, carrying and walking. Just make sure you don’t ruin all those benefits by gorging on high fat foods when your shift is over.
3. You Always Have Cash
One of the great things about waiting tables is that you leave everyday with cash in your pocket. Now don’t go out and spend it willy-nilly or you won’t be all that good off. Instead, stash it in a safe place. If you need to make a quick trip to the grocery store, you won’t have to hit the ATM or pay the debit card fees charged by the bank. Having to go through your hard-earned cash can help you stay aware of what you’re spending and saving too.
4. You Learn Teamwork
Waitresses don’t work alone. They help each other carry food and drinks, clean tables and take orders so that all guests are served, even if the line snakes out the door. As a waitress, you’ll learn to anticipate the needs of the other servers and you’ll get used to asking for help when you need it. This will make you a valuable employee at any job.
5. You Learn How to Be a Good Patron
Have you ever overheard someone asking for their food before everyone else or seen a waitress get stiffed? Those people have never waited tables. As much as being a waitress stinks sometimes, it does teach you how to treat servers when you eat out. You know how hard it is to wait on several tables at once so you’ll be more understanding. You also know that kitchen mistakes aren’t a server’s fault and that she still deserves a tip.
6. You Get to Leave Work behind
As a waitress, you don’t have to take work home. When you’re shift is over, it’s over. You get to leave with your pocket full of cash and not think about the job until your next shift. It might be stressful while you’re there, but when it’s over, you can go home and think about other things. Job stress won’t keep you up at night.
7. Cheap or Free Food
No other job is going to give you discounts on delicious restaurant meals. You can enjoy meals you normally can’t afford at half-price or less. I once got a job waiting tables at a steakhouse and got to have a medium-rare sirloin with salad for lunch every day for just a couple of dollars. Sure beats another peanut butter and jelly sandwich, right?
Have you ever waited tables? What was your favorite part?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I consider being a waitress at least once?
- Being a waitress teaches valuable skills like communication, multitasking, and teamwork that are useful in any career.
- Is waitressing a good way to build confidence?
- Absolutely! Interacting with different people daily helps boost your confidence and social skills.
- Can waitressing fit into a busy lifestyle?
- Yes, waitressing often offers flexible hours, making it a great option for balancing work with other commitments.
- What skills can I learn from waitressing?
- You'll develop time management, problem-solving, and customer service skills that are highly transferable.
- Is waitressing financially rewarding for women?
- Tips can significantly increase your income, and you can gain financial independence while working.
- Will waitressing help me network?
- Definitely—meeting diverse people and building connections can open doors to new opportunities.
- How does waitressing impact my teamwork abilities?
- You'll work closely with kitchen and floor staff, learning cooperation and collaboration under pressure.
- Can waitressing improve my stress management?
- Yes, managing busy shifts and demanding customers helps you stay calm and organized under stress.
- Is waitressing a stepping stone to other careers?
- Many successful professionals started as waitresses, using the experience to develop strong workplace skills.
- What makes waitressing a unique life experience for women?
- It offers a dynamic social environment where you can grow personally and professionally while having fun.