MythBuster; Cracking the Most Common Myths About the Restaurant Business

1) Putting Your Silverware in Hot Water to "Kill Germs"

      NEWS FLASH; it does nothing for you!. When going to dinner, some people find the need to ask their server (me) for a cup of hot water so they can "sanitize" their silverware. In order for this process to work the water has to be extremely hot, boiling, which is pretty impossible to find in a restaurant. The hottest water we can fund is from the coffee pot, and that isn't even boiling. Although this may comfort some people, in reality killing one or two little bacteria's isn't going to do anything. The silverware goes through the same dishwasher as the plates we put your food on and the cups you put your mouth on, but yet you eat and drink from those just fine. If you think the silverware is that dirty you probably shouldn't be eating out in the first place. Next time you ask your waiter for hot water just remember it's not only annoying for them, but you look like a fool because it is not working.


2) We Are Doing This Job For Fun, Not to Make a Living

For some reason, some people think that we do this job for fun, that we enjoy waiting on people hand and foot, and that we don't do it to make a living. Oh, how wrong are you! I have never met a waiter that said "I don't need the money, I'm just here to have some fun." Odds are they are working their way through school or trying to support a family. For the most part as a waitress you make pretty good money. As long as the tips are good, it is a decent way of making a living. Going to school myself, I don't have much time to work but like everyone else I need money too. People go to the beach for fun, have some drinks, hangout with friends, not go to a restaurant and serve people on a Saturday night. However, there is no other job where you don't even have to work 30 hours and still make about $400-$500 per week.




3) Waiters are Uneducated and Work at a There Because They Can't Get a Job Anywhere Else 
Like I said in number two, many waiters are trying to work their way though collage so they are able to pay for an education and move on to a more upscale job. Although some people chose to leave once they graduate college, other don't because believe it not sometimes you make more money as a waiter then starting a new job in your field right after graduation. Many waiters and managers in the restaurant industry have at least a 2 year degree, some 4, and some even masters degrees. Waiters are NOT stupid, we are educated people just trying to make ends meet. However, when looking for a "real" job, many find that they will have to take a pay cut. When I graduate and land a job that I am interested in I will take whether I have to take a pay cut if not. I know in the long run it will be more beneficial to me and with time I will make more money, have better benefits, and finally have nights, weekends, and holidays off!

4) We Spit in Your Food When You're Rude

As much as there has been plenty of times where I wanted to do this, I know it is so wrong and disgusting which is why myself, as well as most other waiters have and will never do this. Of course there are exceptions, so don't be rude to your waiter, but odds are they are not going to risk losing their job to spit in your food. I have been tempted many times to do some pretty nasty things to even nastier people, because really they need to be taught a lesson on manners and how to treat people. But in the end, I know its not worth losing my job over.











5) We Get paid Minimum Wadge, You Don't Have to Tip Us

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! According to the United States Department of Labor, in the state of Florida the minimum cash wage for tipped workers is only $4.91. On top of that little pay, we also get taxed for the amount of tips we make throughout the week so we're lucky to get a $30 or $40 paycheck. Waiters depend on their tips to survive, so if you think you don't have to tip because we make regular minimum wage you are very wrong. We wouldn't complain as much if we did!
      




I hope I helped crack some of the most common myths in the restaurant business. If you have questions or myths that need cracking comment below.