Waitressing...

OK now that Latina (Kathy) mentioned her new job, I got the 'itch' again to get a job in waitressing maybe a few evenings a week. Its something i've always wanted to do for some reason!
(Kathy - hows it going ???)

I just wanted a refresher from the pros, on what a typical day is like, are places strict about working EVERY weekend. (I dont wanna lose ALL my weekends this summer ! ) especially with parties going on (weddings, birthdays, etc). But on the other hand I DO wanna work during busy times! I just love the hustle and bustle and social part of it, just interacting with people, and hey the exercise cant hurt either !

Is the way they pay very different from place to place? From what Ive been told its a low hourly rate, plus tips.. is that basically it ?

Does anyone recommend or NOT recomend certain places ?
The places I have near me, that I have in mind are: The Spare Rib, Outback, Boulder Creek, or should i check out the nice restaurants ? (yeah right its those rich people that are probably CHEAPOS in the TIP area ! as they saying goes....)

I dont plan to teach for at least another year and a half, so I want something to just have fun with!

Well I just babbled, I just wanted to see what feedback you ladies have !

Thanks for listening and keep the ideas comin'

Good luck to you- I can't tell you how to make money cause I was the WORST waitress ever. I did lose weight, though!
I was a waitress at the Huntington Town House and Chili's.

LOL, im sure you werent bad !

I dont know if i'd want a catering hall type thing.
Do you just get a percentage of the gratuity charged to brides/grooms ? How 'stable' is the money there ? and i wouldnt want my WHOLE weekend SHOT from working all weekend. and weddings are aLL WEEKEND !

hmm, not sure.......

Ctaering was not as muchmoney as chili's. It was awhile ag- I am not sure how it is now, but we got 2 checks, a tip check and a shift check. We also pooled all cash tips with the bartenders and split it among everybody. The problem was most wiaters ans waitresses did not get tips, and those who did and the bartenders pocketed a bunch without telling anyone. I used to get so mad!

I made more working at Chili's. The most money was in the bar section, and they gave those stations to people who were there the longest. The most money was on weekends and thurs nights, but to get the good nights we were also required to do lunch shifts during the week, which were no money at all and a huge waste of time.

My cousin use to be a waitress and she got paid below min wage because it was made up in tips. Some nights were slow while others were packed and she came home with over 100 dollars cash in tips. Waitressing put her through college.

My other cousin waitresses in Staten Island and she is the happy waitress. She loves it. She said the customers are so nice and she leaves them little notes when she gives them their receipts (things like thanks come again, hope you enjoyed your meal, thanks)

Chippa, I love those happy waitresses that leave a little 'thank you' note ! especially when they add a smiley face !

anna has any of this helped you?

John & I ate out the other day & we were just saying how waitressing really is alot of work though

I dont know...



I kinda wanna try it out, and then i think I might regret 'giving' up my evenings and weekends, lol.
I Think something in the daytime where I can bring the baby would REALLY be ideal (TOTALLY off the waitressing topic!)

But I do want to try it...Just debating: diner, fancy-shmancy place, steakhouse (chain), where where ?

When waitressing anywhere you go you get paid below minimum wage. Right now I get paid $3.30 per hour at Fridays plus tips. At the beginning you won't make much on tips plus the stations you would be getting won't be as great for those that have been there longer. This weekend I think I didn't make more than $80 total but that ok because I know as time passes I will be making more.

One place that I am going to try to waitress at in the future is Cheesecake Factory. The place is always busy and no matter what station your sat you are always seated. I have a friend that works there as a waiter that gets about $400 or more in tips weekly.

i'd go where the tips are bigger (fancy place)

Waitressing is a very,very good side job
Once you get the hang of it there is alot of money to be made.Go somewhere,where you can get trained like,Applebee's,TGIF,Outback,stay a while and then move on to somewhere private like a small fancy place or a waterfront restaurant(Thats where i waitress in the summer)I've been doing this for over 10 years now,i started in catering didnt make a whole lot of money but had a blast and worked many a weddings.If you are willing to give up nights and weekends this is the perfect way to make fast money My advice to any future waitress-SMILE Always