A Server's Worst Nightmare

Can I just vent a little bit here?

Thanks.


So, as I've mentioned before, I recently started working as a server again at CPK. I am grateful to have a job, and a decent income after not having a job for almost six months. It was not where I imagined myself ending up after leaving LiNK, but nonetheless I was happy to start working again.

Recently, I've been struggling with my job. It is probably because the last two shifts I've had have been the worst I've ever had in my history as a server. Last night I was so close to just leaving. Can I really handle this job? Is this even worth it?

Some people are just plain rude. Seriously. I love people! I love serving others, and I love helping people. It is naturally how God wired me. But there comes a point when people just treat you so poorly, that you just break. That is exactly what last night felt like for me.

For your sake, I will not get into the nitty-gritty details of what happened, but I will say I encountered the most rude, condescending and demeaning person that I've ever encountered in the decade I've worked in customer service. This woman might as well have had "i hate you" written across her forehead. It was that bad. She caused a scene, complained to my manager for ten whole minutes and treated me like I was literally dirt. Why? All because her salad had chicken instead of shrimp in it, and all because it took me one extra minute than she preferred for me to refill her water. She was so, so mean. I can handle complaints, and I can handle grumpy, unfriendly guests, no problem. But the moment you are mean and rude to me, that is where I draw the line.

The entire time she treated me like this, all I wanted to do was look at her and say, "you do know that I am a human being, right? Please stop treating me like an animal, or that I am your slave" - now, of course you can't say these things. But, boy did I think them. After that whole fiasco, I just couldn't get back into my groove, and I could not shake it. It just really broke my heart, and my soul too.

After crying like a baby to Jamey on the phone about my shift (bless his heart), I vented a little more to Becky (bless her heart too, haha). And I was telling her, this is the exact reason why I quit being a server the last time (not the time I left to become a Nomad, but the other time, hah). It was because I realized I didn't deserve to receive such terrible treatment from people who hated themselves, and the world. The money is great, yes, but it was not worth it. And, here I am again in that same place. Is it worth it? Well, no, it really is not for me, especially since money in general doesn't mean anything to me in this life. But, at this point in my life, I have responsibilities and a future that I am trying to prepare for. So, it's different.

After my hell of a shift was over, I was walking to my car and I pleaded with the Lord, "God, please remove this season from me as soon as You can. I don't desire to be here, I don't desire to feel this way. I want to serve You, and serve Your people, so please make a way for that."

It's a struggle, that is for sure, but I still aim to be positive and grateful because this is a blessing still, even in the midst of trial.

Thanks for listening, friends. Moral of the story, don't be that customer. Whether you are going through a drive-thru, or sitting down to eat at a restaurant, treat your server the way YOU would want to be treated. They are just trying to make it too, just like you and I. Don't tip 10% just because you're cheap. Be patient, and always, always give grace. Servers are not perfect, so mistakes happen, and more often than not, the mistakes that are made are not their fault, so don't take it out on them. Remember me, and this story the next time you go out to eat. Be kind, friends, believe it or not, you can make a server's day just by being nice and understanding.

I'll take that over any big tip, any day.

XO,

Brenda