The problem with working in a breakfast place is that breakfast is usually super early in the day. Which means my shift starts super early in the day. I'm going to let you into a Day as a server. This is a compilation of events. These did not all happen the same day, but have happened enough times that it could've been during the same day. Enjoy!
5:15 am: The alarm goes off. Again. For the 3rd time. Why is it so hard to get up at 5:15 in the morning? Its not like I went to bed at 1 am..... Oh, wait! I did go to bed at 1 am.... Stumble out of bed and head to the shower. Hopefully the blast of water will wake me up enough to start my day.... After all, I'm serving breakfast and if I don't bring those eggs to your tables.... well, someone else will and they'll get the tip and how does that help me at all?
5:35 am: The three S's are done and the day is ready to begin. Time to get dressed and get getting on. Uniform on and float, apron and pens ready to go. Quick stop at a coffee shop that will remain anonymous but does rhyme with Bim Bortons and off to work.
5:55 am: Technically I'm suppose to be at work fifteen minutes before the start of my shift in case I need to stock something or such, but sadly, although its a rule, it feels just like a suggestion most days so as long as I'm signed in before the time on the schedule, I think I'm doing a good job.
6:00 am: Start a new pot of coffee. Go to newspaper box and purchase papers. Enjoy my Bim Bortons coffee while the restaurants coffee brews. Wait for first customer of the day.
6:25 am: First customer walks in. Walks right past me and the sign that says Please Wait to be Seated. I sigh and follow him to his seat with a menu. "Good Morning, how are you this morning?" I say in my waiter's voice (which actually frightens people who know me) and get the only logical response to good morning: Coffee! I place the menu down in front of him and shuffle off like a good servant... wait, server! That's what I am a server... not a servant. Sorry, got confused there.
Like a good servan... sorry, server.... I bring the coffee over and place it in front of the customer. He tells me that he wants the breakfast special. I again sigh (but internally so the customer doesn't hear it) and explain that the special is Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) and that we have the Big Breakfast available right now. I then point to the menu to show him, feeling just like I'm sure Vanna White does, and asks if he needs a moment. He looks at the menu and tells me quite sternly that he couldn't possibly eat three eggs. (At this point I think about the note that I've written to myself and that is tucked neatly in my server's wallet that says : I don't care if you can't eat three eggs.) I explain that he can get the breakfast with two eggs if he wishes but it'll still cost the same. Meanwhile 3 or 4 regular customers have come in and taken their regular seats. I nod to acknowledge that I've seen them and that I'll bring them their coffees shortly (as soon as Coffee Man has decided what he's having.) He grunts that he'll just have toast and practically thrusts the menu at me. I go to the tables that the regulars are at and ask if they are having their usuals. I then punch the orders into the computer. Couple of moments later, I hear the ding of the bell and see my orders are ready. I deliver them, stopping to grab the coffee pot on the way. That way I can refill coffees as soon as the food arrives and cut down the number of trips to the table. Mr. . Coffee and Toast Man, who couldn't possibly eat 3 eggs has a full coffee cup so doesn't need a refill at this point. I go and chat with the regulars and catch up. About a minute or so goes by and I hear someone clearing their throat. I look over and Mr. Coffee and Toast, who couldn't possibly eat 3 eggs and my cup is full so I don't need a refill right now has finished his cup and is shaking it at me to let me know he wants more. Like a good servant.... sorry, server... I go over and refill his coffee. I ask him how everything is and he mumbles something about it being alright. Next trip around I ask if he would like anything else and drop the bill when he says No. The total of the bill for coffee and toast $3.97. While I'm wiping down the tables the regulars were at and resetting them, he gets up and heads out. I ask if he needs any change and he says No. I thank him and head to the table to get his payment. I pick up the two toonies and two quarters and mumble something about his mother and the fact his parents weren't married when he was born and wipe down his table. Its 7 am.
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