Serving isn't my ‘real’ job…

Many restaurant servers find it hard to admit to what they do for a living. Individuals who choose

a career in waitressing have no problem telling people how they make their money; whereas, others – like college or university students, or recent graduates – who merely see their serving jobs as a transition into a more ‘tangible’ career, often make excuses about their employment situation for fear of being judged.

I will grudgingly admit to residing in the latter grouping of servers. When people ask where I work, I often feel embarrassed about being 30 and still working as a waitress. I usually find myself tip-toeing around the answer by saying things like:

• “I’m a full time student;”
• “I teach university students, part-time;” or
• “I’m only a waitress on weekends.”

My co-worker, Shelley:
Unemployed teacher, full-time college student,
and unsatisfied waitress.

Every time these words escape my mouth, I feel a strange combination of relief and guilt. Relief stems from the knowledge that I will eventually leave the service industry (albeit not soon enough). Guilt, on the other hand, arises from the realization that as a server, I’m comfortably able to feed, clothe and house myself, while there are many people who can’t afford to do such things. It seems selfish to complain about working a “lowly” serving job when unemployment rates keep rising.

My point is: Whether you’re a server by choice or by necessity, try to remember that your situation could always be worse. Appreciate what you have now; and then appreciate it even more when you eventually land your dream job.