Okay So i've added it up. And for one of the easier jobs I've ever had I take home about 10 bucks an hour. I claim about minimum wage so I have to pay taxes on whatever that is. Most of it is tips. I'm working at Ponderosa as a server. They just moved across town and opened a new location. I started when that opened along with at least 6 or 7 other servers. About 6 have been there over a year. Anyway. The people I work with are pretty cool so that helps. And we listen to a bunch of cheesy pop old rock good stuff so that makes the time roll by too. I walk around singing if I know the words. I walk around singing if I don't know the words. The job is super mad easy. When someone sits in my section I go to the table and say hey hey hey. I pick up the receits on the table (when you walk in to ponderosa you basically pay/order at the door and then sit down). I acquire the drinks listed on the receits, possibly ask if they want lemons in their water or ice team, and bring them back to the table. I bring two creams with every coffee, possibly with hot tea. I put lids on kids cups or upgrade them to a normal size cup if its a teenager. I basically do whatever they need me to do. If their order contains something from the cooks, I put my pager number and their table number on the third receit and run it back to wheel by the cooks. Afterwards I basically take plates/dishes/cups away from their table as needed and refill their drinks as required. Then if I am expecting a meal to come up, my pager starts vibrating like nuts, and go back by the cooks. Butter all baked potatoes, grab a thing of sour cream if necessary, get the knives, and if there is shrimp grap a cocktail sauce thing. Then before I leave I make sure I know what everything is so I don't look like an idiot when I get to the table. Obviously after a while I'll be able to tell what everything is without looking. There aren't that many options. So I bring the meals to the table and raffle them off. I then continue taking away done dishes and clean up after them when they leave so someone else can sit down. If I put average effort and get between 2-4 dollars for a table of 2 or 3 then thats okay. If I put a lot of effort into a table with a whole family and 3 or more adults then I hope to get a little bit bigger tip. I think the most I have received so far has been 7 or 8 maybe. I haven't had extremely huge tables which is perfectly fine by me. Sometimes you get stiffed. At least a few times a day someone doesn't leave a tip at all. It's bullshit. They think, I'm at a buffet, that's all I ordered, and I did all the work. Wouldn't they be thirsty if I didn't bring them their drinks? Someone has to clean the mess they leave behind if two fat people chow down and go through 3-4 plates each. I honestly don't pay attention. I realize I work in a restaurant and have to always be displaying my smile cards but I just don't pay attention. If someone needs something I help them out. It's all about doing the job and getting things done. And it's easy as heck. I just wish I could get more hours or better hours or just better sections. It is something and it is helping though. And that is good.  ¶ 4/06/2005 09:41:00 AM