Service Industry

Happy Easter everyone.... Now that is the last time I will be saying that today! Recently I got a 2nd job at a restaurant and found one of the requirements to be helpful and cheery ALL the time. Now, this includes saying Happy Easter to every person I see and asking how their day was, and yes, even sitting there as they spew out what a great day they're having as they come for a nice lunch or dinner with their family. Occasionally I'm genuinely interested and happy for them but at 7 at night after I haven't been home yet to even say happy Easter to my own  family, the tables turn and all I want to do is leave. Getting this job I was fully aware that it wouldn't be fun, but after a couple weeks I've developed a great sense of respect for anybody in the service industry, especially waiting and bussing at restaurants.  To be honest, quite a bit of the night goes by quickly since most of the time you're busy and multitasking, leaving nearly no time to look at the clock and the money is also really good, but at the end of the night I find that myself and everybody else is both mentally and physically exhausted.  Bussing and hostessing have taught me a few things: one is to be extremely efficient and quick, a second to learn to multitask and focus on 10 things different waitresses shout out at you as you're walking by, and thirdly that despite the fact that some people are complete assholes, a smile always wins. Not only does it usually cause people to leave better tips, but when somebody's being difficult it's always secretly fun to see them get angrier when you kill 'em with kindness. This may seem spiteful, but from what I've seen, most people deserve it. Despite the fact that you are literally waiting on them hand and foot, some people seem to think it's fine to be rude and think that they're the only customers you should worry about. Oh well though, it's late and as I said, I am exhausted. At least I'm making some gas money. :)