By Chron Contributor Updated October 18, 2021
The restaurant business is notoriously a tough one. Owners face low profit margins and a high risk of failure, while their staff works long hours for little pay. For example servers – especially waitresses – earn some of the workforce's lowest wages, for a job that's both physically and mentally demanding. The job's duties, working conditions and poor pay can make waitressing an especially difficult way to earn a living and contribute to server burnout.
Responsibilities to Juggle
A good server never stops moving, from the beginning to the end of a shift. Diners must be seated promptly, their orders taken, and their food delivered. The waitress must remember which meal corresponds to which diner, and address any dietary restrictions or special requests. She's attentive enough to provide a high level of service, without hovering or being intrusive.
Servers must be familiar with the menu, and adept at selling the most profitable items. They need a strong sense of the kitchen's rhythm, and the time needed for each dish. Between guests they restock the service area, clean as needed, and help other servers with their tables. Above all, they must maintain a friendly, professional appearance.
Physical Demands
Servers are typically on their feet for the entire shift, so comfortable shoes are necessary to prevent foot pain and potential knee or back problems. If the restaurant is short-staffed, shifts can often last 12 or 14 hours. A server routinely handles heavy trays, loaded with multiple meals or quantities of dirty dishes headed back from the dining room. Waitresses are also exposed frequently to unwell customers and co-workers, and are susceptible to communicable diseases as a result.
Sexual Harrassment
Guests respond well to attractive servers, and chains including Hooters, Tilted Kilt and Twin Peaks base their business models on attractive young waitresses in suggestive uniforms. Even in conventional family restaurants, waitresses quickly become adept at fending off advances from customers. Co-workers and especially employers can also be problematic.
A 2021 study released by One Fair Wage showed that 71 percent of female food service workers surveyed stated that they had experienced sexual harassment on the job. The report further revealed that 44 percent of the harassers had been in a position of authority rather than a customer or coworker.
Pay and Working Conditions
Waitresses experience difficult working conditions even when they're not harassed. Few servers have health insurance or other benefits at the workplace, and often can't afford to take time off when they're ill. Shifts are erratic at many restaurants, making it difficult for waitresses to arrange child or elder care.
Pay is also low, with many states permitting tipped employees to earn less than minimum wage, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS. Given that women represent two-thirds of tipped employees, that creates a significant gender disparity. In 2020, waitresses earned 88 cents to the dollar that waiters earned, according to Narrow the Gap. This translates into $3,432 less in annual wages for women working in restaurants. Long hours with unstable wages are another source of serve burnout.
FAQs
Being a waiter is indeed a tough job. Some people manage to pull it off while others can't. It is all about your ability and skills to manage and handle different situations and customers during the day. However, one thing is for sure, being a waiter requires immense patience and professionalism.
Why is waitressing hard? ›
A server is frequently required to handle heavy trays loaded with multiple meals or quantities of dirty dishes returning from the dining room. So, after a point, foot and back pains become your friends. Waiters are also frequently exposed to ill customers, making them susceptible to infectious diseases.
What is the most difficult part of being a waitress? ›
Waitresses experience difficult working conditions even when they're not harassed. Few servers have health insurance or other benefits at the workplace, and often can't afford to take time off when they're ill. Shifts are erratic at many restaurants, making it difficult for waitresses to arrange child or elder care.
Is waitressing one of the hardest jobs? ›
Being A Waiter Or Waitress Is One Of The Most Stressful Jobs You Can Do, Study Suggests. Next time you're dining out, spare a little thought for the person serving your food.
How old are most waitresses? ›
The workforce of Waiters & waitresses in 2021 was 2,011,635 people, with 69.9% woman, and 30.1% men. The average age of male Waiters & waitresses in the workforce is 29.3 and of female Waiters & waitresses is 30.2, and the most common race/ethnicity for Waiters & waitresses is White.
Do servers get hit on a lot? ›
Waitresses are hit on a lot, and while they're always friendly about it, they probably will turn you down if they don't know you well. At the same time, turn the conversation to her. Talking only about yourself might come off as self-absorbed.
Why do waitresses quit? ›
He told us, “The pay isn't great, but moreso you lose contact with a regular schedule and social interactions. Long hours that get you very tired, especially on weekends when your friends are having fun and relaxing. Nobody wants to hang out on a Tuesday morning.
Do attractive waitresses get more tips? ›
Female servers wearing something in their hair such as a flower or barrette often receive higher tips as well! One reason for this may be the simple fact that more attractive women tend to get more tips, and both men and women, interestingly enough, find women with ornaments in their hair more attractive.
What is the biggest weakness as a waitress? ›
Answer: My weakness is trying to do too much at once, because I want every customer to be happy and feel comfortable and taken care of. But I do need to learn to slow down and prioritize so I don't get overwhelmed.
How to pass a waitress interview? ›
Focus on questions that assess customer service skills, industry knowledge, and problem-solving abilities. What is the best way to prepare for a waiter or waitress interview as an HR professional? Familiarize yourself with the restaurant's menu, policies, and culture to ask relevant questions.
Good service can result in higher tips, which can add up quickly, making it a lucrative job for those who work hard and provide excellent service. Flexibility – Restaurant serving can be flexible, with many restaurants offering part-time and full-time positions and flexible schedules.
What waitressing does to your body? ›
Working long shifts that require constant standing, walking, lifting and carrying puts a tremendous strain on your back. This physical stress can lead to long-term back problems that can be debilitating.
What is the hardest job in a restaurant? ›
Baking is arguably one of the most challenging roles in the culinary field, so finding an individual who can nail their recipes time and time again can be tough. In addition to putting out consistent and high-quality dishes, bakers need to be highly team oriented and work well with their teammates in the kitchen.
How much do most waitresses make an hour? ›
A Waitress in your area makes on average $15 per hour, or $0.71 (45.016%) less than the national average hourly salary of $15.80.
Do female waitresses make more? ›
Women waitresses who worked full-time made 90 cents to the dollar men earned in 2023. That's $67 out of a weekly paycheck, which means she got paid $3,484 less doing the same job in 2023. This wage gap has narrowed 7 cents from 2011.
How long does it take to learn waitressing? ›
Most waiters and waitresses learn through short-term on-the-job-training, usually lasting a few weeks. Trainees typically work with an experienced waiter or waitress, who teaches them basic serving techniques.
Is it hard to be hired as a server? ›
It's a common misconception that finding a waitstaff job at a restaurant is easier than finding a corporate job or a trade job. However, waiting tables is not as easy as it may seem, and most restaurants are looking for candidates with several years of serving experience.
Is waitressing hard on your body? ›
As a waiter or waitress, it's likely that you're not only going to be on your feet all day but walking a lot when you're on a shift. The risk of possible injuries increases when you're constantly walking back and forth from the kitchen to the main restaurant area, increasing the chances of slips, trips and falls.
