5/21/2007 12:01:00 AM
Here's a tip: thank your server today!
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| Shirley Sanderson waits on a customer at the BK Drive In on Friday afternoon. |
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By JILL DEWERT
Times Bulletin Multimedia Editor
jdewert@timesbulletin.com
If you dine out today, you might consider being extra generous with your gratuity - today is National Waiter and Waitress Day.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the total number of waiters and waitresses in the United States in May 2006 to be 2,312,930.
Waiters and waitresses, or servers, have the responsibility of taking orders and serving food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishments. Most of them have additional responsibilities as well, such as washing dishes or filling the salad bar.
Waiting tables can be a thankless job at times, but not always. If you ask any server what their favorite part of the job is, they will likely tell you it is the people they encounter.
"We think the people of Van Wert are great," said Denise Scott, who has been a waitress at Pizza Hut for 25 years. "I wouldn't have stayed here for twenty-five years if they weren't."
Several local waitresses said they enjoy serving their customers and getting to know them and their families. Some have watched families grow and kids grow up.
Donna Pierce, who has been a waitress at Pizza Hut for 16 years, said she also gets to do her favorite thing while waitressing - talking. Pierce added that the job can be hard when people get angry or mean towards the server.
To top it off, servers make only half of minimum wage and must declare a 12 percent tip per table for tax purposes, even if they don't get a tip.
"It can be disappointing when you provide good service and don't get a tip," said Pierce.
Nonetheless, most will tell you the majority of the time, they find the job rewarding.
"I think everyone should do it at least once," said Shirley Sanderson, who has been working at the BK Drive In for 10 years - since she was 14. "They would gain a new respect for it."
Sanderson also works at Ruby Tuesday's in Lima. She said she enjoys the drive-in because she gets to be outdoors and the turnover of customers is quicker. Sanderson added the latter can also be a downfall though.
"In a restaurant, you get around forty-five minutes to be personable with your customers," said Sanderson. "Here you usually only get about ten. It's a nice break though, it's fun. Not very many people can say they worked in a drive-in."
Most of the waitresses said they will probably keep doing what they are doing for some time. Pierce is currently attending college, but isn't exactly sure when she'll fully leave the serving industry.
"I'm going to try something different for a while," said Pierce. "But I might stay here a little bit. I'll really miss the people."
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