The Reason of Being

First off, for those of you who are not in the "biz" or do not acknowledge the ungendered term for a waiter or waitress is a server. I am not a barmaid or bar wench (yes, I have been called that), "hey-you," "sweetheart," "honey" or any other endearing terms that people love to call particularly female servers. Secondly, I am not using the word "sophist" in its negative connotation of someone who is attempting to manipulate through rhetoric (although, isn't that the best story teller?), but I am using "sophist" from its ancient or original connotation of someone who has wisdom and mine is coming from the perspective of the service industry. I currently work in a local Irish themed pub that caters to a primarily white, upper-class, male clientele. In our too-short tartan kilts, we are only a step-up from the infamous orange Hooters short-shorts (and yes, my feminist sisters - it was a man who thought up this shtick too!) The longer I have worked as a server the more my observations on people began taking shape as a sociological study. I will not simply philosophize on cliched drunken regulars sitting at the bar as they cry into their pint while receiving therapy from a buxom bartender. Instead, I am writing about my observations regarding relationships between those in the service industry and their clients, the assumed caste system in the restaurant industry, and the essential hilarity of my day to day job. But, that's not to say that I will not be writing about the stereotypical perverted and drunken old men, crazy cougars, annoying customers, and the blatant idiocy that you experience as a server. I hope this blog finds its way to servers and non-servers alike. It may enlighten those of you who have never worked in the service industry to appreciate that our job is not just taking orders, pouring pints, and delivering service with a smile. Or, if nothing else, it will hopefully provide you with a laugh or two along the way. Some of my stories will be current, others retold after the insight and distance of time, and those that have been told to me by other servers.

Bon appetit!