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What Working at a Restaurant Taught Me About Being in a Good Mood

I worked in a restaurant for several years before I began my current job, so I think I “passed through the fire” as they say, of having a very stressful job. I learned a lot about people from those jobs, and I learned a lot about how to stay in a good mood, too. Here are some of the parallels I drew, and maybe they can help you put a smile on your face. It might also help you realize what restaurant workers actually go through.

• You can’t please everyone, every time – On an average night, at least one dish is not going to meet the expectations of someone who ordered it. The portion might be too small, the plate might have a thumbprint on it, the hushpuppies might be a little dry. Someone is going to complain, and you have to accept that. You can do your best, but don’t get down on yourself if you don’t end up pleasing everyone.

• You get what you pay for – It’s kind of hard to gripe about how much your chicken tenders sandwich is when you only pay $1.99 for it. Sometimes it makes a big difference to spend a little extra, or at least save a little more in order to get the big enchilada instead a bunch of lousy tacos.

• Good things come to those who wait – As this old saying goes, it applies to both good moods and restaurants. Sometimes it takes a little while to get your food out. The kitchen might be backed up, or there could be a reason it is taking longer than usual. So ask for some bread, sit back, and enjoy the company of your fellow diners.

• Kindness Prevails – One thing you learn pretty quickly when waiting tables is that it pays to be nice. Your customers will really appreciate it when you approach the table with a smile and a good attitude. It says to them that you care about their experience and that they are important to you. Things in regular life shouldn’t be much different. Approach the situation with a smile, and you’ll be putting your best foot forward.

• People will surprise you – Occasionally, I’d have one of those days where nothing went right. I’d be nearly in tears before the end of the shift, and all it would take was one simple gesture and it was all worth it. Sometimes a table would pay me a compliment about my service, or possibly write something nice on the bill, or leave me an unexpectedly large tip. It’s amazing to me that those little things really surprise you and make everything all right.

Any job has its up and downs, but the high pace, high stress environment of a restaurant is one of those jobs that can make you appreciate people and their hard work. If you have any parallels I might have missed here, please let me know in the comments section. I’d love to hear what you think.