This story was written by an adult basic education student in Lewisporte.

Waitresses should be paid more than the minimum wage. Having experienced this kind of work myself, I can honestly say that waitressing is very hard, demanding, and sometimes very embarrassing.

It takes special skills to be a good waitress. Speed and organization are essential in making it successful. At times it may seem to the waitress that she is doing a hundred things at once; Washing dishes, cleaning off tables, giving menus to customers, and taking orders. In the meantime, someone is asking for coffee. When she goes to get it, there aren't any cups clean so she has to rush to the kitchen and get some. At the same time, someone is standing at the cash register waiting to pay a bill and more customers are waiting to have their orders taken. The phone may also be ringing and an order is ready in the kitchen. She brings out the food and realizes that the table doesn't have silverware. She rushes back to the kitchen to get some. She's getting busier now and running out of everything. Shelves need to be stocked, dirty dishes are piling up and clean ones need to be put back in their place. She notices that more customers are standing at the counter for custard cones, sundaes, milkshakes, and banana splits, all very time consuming to make! As you can see, waitressing can be a very demanding and stressful job.

Waitresses also go through public embarrassment. The waitress takes a customer's order, when she brings it out the customer might say it is not what he ordered and demand to have something else. He might call her stupid and tell her it is the worst service he ever had! He says things like, "Am I going to get my meal today or tomorrow?" He might also make a comment like, "I ordered my meal an hour ago and I don't have all day." In reality, it may have been ten minutes ago. The customer may complain that he ordered his steak medium rare instead of well done. Customers sometimes complain if their bill is incorrect and judge the waitress's ability to perform accurate calculations. The customer may complain that the food is not good and the service is terrible. Sometimes customers whistle at the waitress and try to touch her inappropriately. Waitresses always have to remain calm and often be apologetic.

In conclusion, although waitressing doesn't require a lot of education, it is still stressful and demanding. It requires skills in organization, speed, and the careful handling of people. A good waitress who can work quickly, efficiently, and cheerfully is an important asset to her employer. Paying her just the minimum wage because of her tips is an insult. Tips are not guaranteed income. Employers should pay a good waitress fairly for her valuable skills.

Activity:

Does the writer make a reasonable argument for an increase in wages? What do you think a fair wage would be for a waitress?

What skills are necessary to be a good waitress?

How much education should be required?