Anybody who’s worked as a waiter for even a couple of days knows just how tough it can be. Basically, your job is never, ever done. Have you brought that family their food? Great, now you can bring that booth full of noisy jocks their bill. Done that? Looks like that elderly couple would like a coffee refill, so don’t keep them waiting. Done that? Good, because that lady over there that ordered a salad with the dressing separately got her salad doused in dressing and is demanding another one. And while you’re in the kitchen, why don’t you bring the aforementioned family their desserts, because their children are crying that they want ice cream, not a roast beef? Waiters Day is a long-overdue day during which we should all take a moment to show our appreciation for those who work long hours on their feet, often for minimum wage.
The History of Waiters Day
Waiters Day was created by Fred Sirieix, the General Manager at Galvin at Windows, the Michelin-starred restaurant on the 28th floor of the London Hilton. Sirieix thought it was high time to celebrate all such staff–from maître d’s in fine restaurants to Starbucks baristas, from diner waitresses to cocktail bar mixologists. Fred Sirieix’s goal is to stop people working as waiters etc. from being perceived as an unskilled, and instead as hardworking people doing jobs that require many skills and can lead to rewarding careers.
How to Celebrate Waiters Day
If you’re a waiter or waitress yourself, this is the perfect day for you to give yourself a break from work and just treat yourself–you deserve it! So think of something you’ve been wanting to do for a while, and finally get around to doing it. Have you been dreaming about a day full of massages and scented candles at the spa? Schedule an appointment and get ready to relax like you haven’t in ages! Has it been ages since you’ve been hiking or just spent the day on the beach with a book, listening to the waves and sipping hot tea out of a thermos? Or maybe you just want to see the roles reversed by going to a nice restaurant with your significant other, and spending an evening enjoying the food, the service and the atmosphere? However you decide to treat yourself, remember that being a happier person will make you even better at your job. All the more reason to go out and have some fun!
If, on the other hand, you are not a waiter or waitress or anything of the sort, today is a great time for you to be extra nice to the people who bring you your food. One of the most important things to consider is how to tip properly. Few things are more frustrating for a waiter or waitress who has spent hours making sure you have everything you need and smiling despite aching feet than the client failing to leave even a tip, especially when the meal itself was quite expensive. The average tip is between 15% and 20%, with anything below that seeming rude towards your server. Another way to celebrate this day would be to promise yourself to always be as nice as you can to your waiter or waitress – this may not seem like much, but after a long, busy day, a smile and a thank you can really go a long way.
