The Service Industry is a Great Career for Those Who Love Meeting New People!
I was reminded of this yesterday
I’ve always wanted to travel. I’d jump at the chance to take a road trip across the country by myself. It’s a dream for the future, but I don’t have the money or freedom to do that — yet.
But yesterday, I was working my shift at a restaurant, and I was reminded yet again, why I love the job so much.
Each shift opens up to the possibility of meeting someone new and having an interesting conversation.
Of course, I can’t do that when it is busy but there’s lots of slower times when I get to pay more attention to my tables. Sometimes that makes for some fun or interesting conversations. Other times, I just make quick connections with people but those connections stay in my mind.
Yesterday, I served a group of four ladies. I didn’t feel like there was anything special about it. I was just doing my job. A joke here, a compliment there. I made sure they had everything they needed and tried to be available without being intrusive because they were obviously friends that were there to enjoy each others’ company.
But, as I was taking care of their bills, they started a conversation with me. They complimented me on my service, saying they loved my attitude.
That turned into a discussion about spirituality and attitude. We didn’t talk long but at the end, one of the women declared that I had a “beautiful soul.”
That table made me so happy!
Why?
Because I got to meet four fabulous women that I never would have met otherwise. They made my day great and I feel like I had a positive impact on theirs as well.
My last table of the night was awesome, too. It started with four people and grew to seven. Shortly after the last three joined them (unplanned; they hadn’t seen each other in years and spontaneously turned dinner into a little reunion), I made a joke.
I noticed that I’d forgotten one of the women’s honey mustard dip. I can’t remember the joke but they all laughed.
Then, I said, “I can’t promise you that I’ll be the best server you’ve ever had, but I can promise that I’ll make you laugh and smile and hopefully you’ll have a great time.”
Throughout the rest of the meal, there was more laughs and I’m pretty sure that other customers were staring a bit as they cracked up.
I never learned any of their names. I have no idea if they were from out of town or from the city I live in. But I felt like I was saying good-bye to friends when we parted at the end of the night.
This is why I love serving.
I used to think it was the money (and I won’t deny that I love that part of my job!) but lately, I’ve realized it isn’t the main thing. It’s the connections that I make each day I’m working.
My job may be serving food but my motto each day is “It’s a great day to serve some smiles.”
Whether it is the couple who come in every Sunday after church and share a plate of chicken souvlaki with an extra skewer of chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy and a mixed greens salad with one ranch and one thousand island dressing (hot water for her and cold water for him) or the man who comes in by himself and doesn’t want a lot of conversation but does want quick service and the bill as soon as his food is served, the people I serve smiles to make a difference in my life. And I hope I make a difference in theirs.
I don’t get their phone numbers. I don’t connect with them on social media. But for that hour or two that they are sitting at my table, they are friends.
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