As February 14th rolls around, people in love can’t wait to share the holiday together. Red roses, a chocolate gift exchange with one another, and then to a lovely dinner where you will spend an hour just gazing into each other’s eyes and telling each other how much you love one other. Well, that’s not how my night goes.
This year for Valentine’s Day, I will be serving that lovely couple you just read about in order to pay for my bills. Trust me, if I could choose to be in their shoes, I would. This happens every single year, and with every major holiday. This list would include: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, (most of) Spring Break, Easter, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Black Friday, and Christmas Eve. (Just to name the major holidays). I am not going to complain that we get Thanksgiving and Christmas Day off, but I wouldn’t be surprised if corporate decided that we needed to work those days as well.
I have heard the arguments that I chose to work this job, I could always find another job, I can get a job on campus, etc. However, I like how much money I make. I just don’t like working every single holiday when I see my friends and family taking vacations and having fun.
So, let me give you a few tips of advice when you come to a restaurant on these holidays.
- Ladies, please stop thinking we are hitting on your man while you are obviously on a date with him. Don’t give me the dirty look when I am looking at him to get his order and have to ask a million questions to get his order correct. I am only being nice.
- Please tip accordingly. We would like more than anything to be home with our loved ones (or our cats) on this holiday just as much as you want to be with yours. Please make our night worthwhile too by tipping your server. (Verbal tips do not count. I can’t pay my bills with that).
- This one is for the guys on Valentine’s Day. Please do not ask me to stick a ring inside some food. One, I don’t want to touch your food with my hands. Two, if she chokes, that’s my butt on the line. Three, that is unoriginal and cliché. You should come up with something else.
Whether you choose to stay in for the holidays or go out, just remember that those people working to make your night enjoyable do not get this holiday off. You should appreciate what they do for you.
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Valentine’s Day around the World
