The Acting Role of a Server

While reading "On the Front Lines of the Service Sector" I found the writing relatable. Many of the insert stories of actual service workers hit the point in describing how it feels to work an "unvalued" job. However, these jobs are necessary for the "big shots" to enjoy the comforts of either being a head employer, or receiving such service work. Working an easily replaceable job does make you feel insecure and dampers your self-worth. On top of these negative feelings, a service worker is still expected to work at top speed meeting company efficiency goals. It feels like the company is sucking you for all you're worth to increase gains. Such a demand results in high stress.

I think this writing does justice to the saying; "walk a mile in another man's shoes". Many people who have never worked in a restaurant setting expect the service to be promptly superb. The trouble with providing such a service is when there is more customers than workers to supply this service. Usually it is impossible to be at each customers beck and call when there are multiple customers. Yet to be at the customers side should they need something is what is demanded. There is a job list on top of serving tables that the customers do not see. Behind the shinny presentation there is a grimmy, hard, hectic job. The smile that the customer sees is not necessarily how the server actually feels. It is an acting job when serving table; one minute you have to smile and greet your table politely but the next minute work in elbow to elbow, pushy conditions with your c0-workers who are usually impolite and uptight. Through all this it is necessary to keep your composure, otherwise you are replaced.

And who replaces you? The boss, who usually can not perform the work of his/her employees at the pace required. Often times in a restaurant setting there is a flow that develops between the co-workers that helps each worker to juggle their many tasks. When the manager steps in, the flow is disrupted. Workers are knocked off of their routines and forced to work under even higher stress.

What is most disturbing about working a service job, like restaurant work, is not feeling like all of your hard work truly amounts to anything substantial. As in the insert, a grocery -bagger says "you're always just providing a service, the same service over and over again...nothing ever ends or begins". Without an ending to the service work there is no conformation of success, or gratitude of reaching a goal.