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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask what your experience being a waitress was like?

44 replies

youngwaitress · 12/03/2021 14:39

i have just turned 16, and am currently looking for my first job. i am thinking of waitressing, as shop assistant etc does not appeal to me.
if any of you were a waitress as a teenager, please tell me about your experience with it, and if there was a lot of harassment from people (men).

thanks!

OP posts:

DublinDoris2000 · 12/03/2021 17:46

I worked in cafes and bars when I was a student. I agree that it's more fun that a shop if you're a social person. I did get some comments but nothing too bad. Try to find somewhere where you like the manager and think they will stick up for you if something goes wrong. Also get comfy shoes!

Sarahlou63 · 12/03/2021 17:51

Worked in several restaurants from 18-24. Loved it - teaches you lots of life skills; multitasking, thinking on your feet (literally!), conflict resolution and how to sneak into late night bars at the end of a shift

SpinningWheelOfFortune · 12/03/2021 17:58

I worked as a waitress from being 15-20, and I loved it. I worked in a local pub, not a chain type place so it was friendly, we had our regulars and it really felt like a family. I made friends there who I'm still in touch with 15 years later. Of course we would get the odd creepy/awkward customer but all, including owners, had each others backs. I think it really helped me become confident in speaking to people and being more social, we'd often all sit and chat/drink (once I was old enough!) after a shift.
I look back with fondness, it's a job I'd still love to do if it it was 9-5 and paid more!

Susie477 · 12/03/2021 18:15

I did quite a lot of waitressing when I was a student back in the 90s, mainly in big branded chain restaurants, eg TGI Fridays, and while it can be a pressurised job when it’s busy, I generally enjoyed it. I never had any issues with harassment, fortunately.

Serving couples on dates was great, particularly if the man was obviously out to impress. Good opportunities for upselling to increase my spend per head, & generous tips.

Given the choice between serving a group of women & a group of men, I would always choose the men. They loved a bit of flirty banter, were much less fussy and tipped better. Groups of mums with young children were a nightmare and to be avoided at all costs. They spent next to nothing, left a horrendous mess for you to clear up, expected you to look after their kids for them and didn’t tip. Sorry, mums...

SchrodingersImmigrant · 12/03/2021 18:18

Groups of mums with young children were a nightmare and to be avoided at all costs. They spent next to nothing, left a horrendous mess for you to clear up, expected you to look after their kids for them and didn’t tip. Sorry, mums...

Sadly yes. I can't believe the mess many parents were happy to leave after their families😱 If anyone reading this ends up with most food under the table and the table next, at least leave a pound extra and say sorry fgs.

MumsThewordw02 · 12/03/2021 18:22

waitress for 7 weeks 30 years ago! The last straw was when the kitchen hob caught fire. all the sprinklers in the place went off and we were instructed to keep taking orders from tables (while we stood there getting drenched and the customers also!).

NuniaBeeswax · 12/03/2021 18:30

Why would a just turned 16 year old be on MN of all places...?

TooYoungToNotice · 12/03/2021 18:31

I waitressed in school holidays from about 13 up to about 18. It was hard physically, you're on your feet a lot. It is tiring.

I mainly enjoyed it, the camaraderie can be lovely. The restaurant work was the nicest. I did lots of event waitressing at a hotel too, like weddings and sportsmen dinners. They could be awful and even at the age of 14 I leant to wear a very long skirt and high collared blouse to the sportsmans dinners. It was not unknown to come away with a bruised bottom from being pinched hard as you squeezed between the long rows of tables.

I'm quite surprised by an earlier comment about white middle aged ladies being awkward because I'd say that they were usually the very easiest and kindest to me when I was serving.

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 12/03/2021 18:35

Absolutely loved it. Never had any trouble while I was waitressing - it was much better than bar work from that point of view, although that was also a brilliant job and great fun. I think there is always the potential for trouble but in most cases you will have a lovely time.

Shodan · 12/03/2021 18:45

Oh god yes and let their kids run around like it was a bloody playground.

I mean, who wouldn't want a waitress to spill four hot platefuls of food over their progeny??

SchrodingersImmigrant · 12/03/2021 18:51

@Shodan I always secretly assumed that these parents either don't like their kids or are after possible compensation (and proba don't like their kids). Why else would you let a child run around in dangerous environment.

dividedwefall · 12/03/2021 18:53

I had numerous waitressing jobs in my late teens, early 20s. No hassle from men whatsoever. Chefs can be abrasive - seems to go with the job. Easy enough. Learn silver service and carrying a big tray on your shoulder and they'll snap you up. Nice and flexible shifts too.

MeridianB · 12/03/2021 18:58

I did it in late teens part time and it was truly formative.

It gave me the ability to be polite calm in the face of rudeness. And this skill has been invaluable in every part of my life since, but especially at work. I think you get this from any role that public-facing.

It also makes me a much better customer when I eat out! And before I was married, no man would get another date if he was rude to waiting staff, bar staff, cloakroom staff etc.

Where I worked, we split tips but I recall this was with the chefs and manager, too, which looking back feels like a rip-off. There was a fixed amount of pay per shift, too. And they gave us dinner before the restaurant opened.

Mostly, it was busy work, decent money and a ton of life experience.

JackieWeaverFever · 12/03/2021 19:05

Yeah i really enjoyed it.
It was a ypung team so great fun but I set my stall out from day 1 that I was that to work not flirt with Greg the chef or Dave behind the bar.

No romances with co-workers, no dicking about when there was money to be made.

I was pretty good and somewhat charming so made about £15ph (with tips) when shop work was paying about £5.50-6

I think it also taught me to handle myself better because you will have to deal with dickheads and learning to deal with them young sets you in good stead. (I was confident but reasonably sheltered)

Carouselfish · 12/03/2021 20:50

Definitely ask if you keep tips, and if they are pooled for whole team. I'd also eat there before interview if possible to see what types of customers are and how nice the team seems.
I had a couple of waitress jobs. I really enjoyed one, but even then worst customers were wealthy old ladies who wanted special treatment and mothers with young children who left behind a hell of a mess. I'm always so careful not to be like that when I take my children out.
You have to be fairly fit and strong to carry three plates at once and work long and busy shifts, it's quite a physical job.

Original poster

youngwaitress · 12/03/2021 22:22

@NuniaBeeswax

Why would a just turned 16 year old be on MN of all places...?

i knew someone would ask this!

ever heard of a teen mum? lol

OP posts:

Original poster

youngwaitress · 12/03/2021 22:22

thank you everyone for all the replies, i'll read them all properly later but i have read some, and so far they've been extremely helpful, so thank you!

OP posts:

NuniaBeeswax · 12/03/2021 23:42

"i knew someone would ask this!

ever heard of a teen mum? lol"

Sure.

PinkArt · 13/03/2021 00:33

Of the jobs I did around your age, waitressing was the toughest. I found customer service work in a shop a lot easier and when I was 18 and signed with a temp agency in uni holidays found reception work and promos work easier again

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