25 perks of being a waiter that you can't get at any other job

25 August 2016

Take it from someone who has been doing this for a while. Being in the F&B industry is tough. The long hours and physical demands are not for the faint of heart.

My days as a waiter were filled with crazy memories. Between spilling drinks onto VIPs in front of my boss and receiving S$100 tips, I've done it all and survived. You'll experience adventure, excitement and pain. While things can get tough in a restaurant, there are plenty of perks that come with working in a restaurant.

1. You'll probably get free food

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Most restaurants provide staff meals. Fancy places even do staff tastings so you have a better idea of the dishes and you'll be able to explain them to the guests. If you're still hungry after that, you can try begging for the leftovers in the kitchen. Odds are, they wouldn't mind sharing.

2. You'll learn to be more organised

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Organising multiple complex table orders will become second nature to you, and you'll learn to start breaking systems down to make things more efficient automatically.

3. You will develop a high stress tolerance

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A restaurant can get pretty chaotic at times. Demanding customers, impatient chefs and fast paced action will be part of your daily life. But what doesn't kill you will make you stronger and you'll develop a higher tolerance for stress.

4. You'll learn a lot more about food

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Eating is not the same as understanding what goes into a dish. You'll learn how to read strange foreign ingredients listed on a menu. You'll also learn of the role each ingredient plays in a dish.

5. You'll discover some hidden talents

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Besides juggling tables, you'll probably have to help out the bar or even the kitchen from time to time. But who knows, you might just be a genius at latte art or fall in love with a brand new side of the industry!

6. You can learn some tips and tricks from the chefs

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Most chefs are willing to share, so offer them a compliment about a dish you like and they'll be more than happy to show you how it's done. They might even show you how after service!

7. You'll learn how to handle difficult people

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Let's face it, the customer isn't always right. But you'll have to pretend they are, and that is a very important skill to have regardless of your station in life.

8. Your calves are gonna look sooooo good

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Standing around and brisk walking between tables for 8 hours a day will do wonders to tone those calves for Zoukout.

9. So will your arm

Trust me, those plates are heavier than they look, especially after carrying them for extended periods of time. But hey, at least you'll have some sweet biceps and forearms to show off.

10. Your colleagues will have your back when you're on a date

I know what you're thinking, "Why on earth would you bring a date to your workplace?". Well think about it, you'll get VIP service, possibly free food and heck, you could beg the chef to come and greet you at your table too. Who wouldn't be impressed?

11. There will be a lot of eye candy

No matter your sexual orientation, restaurants are magnets for good looking people dressed to the nines. Wear your best smile and keep your squealing to a minimum.

12. Tips!

It's not a very common practice in Singapore, but an increasingly cosmopolitan society has definitely increased such occurrences. Pro tip: Alcohol is a great lubricant for generosity so make sure you recommend some good drinks!

13. You're going to meet some bizarre but really fun people

The industry attracts some oddballs, but they'll add plenty of color to your life.

14. You'll pour wine like a boss

It's harder than it looks, and you'll look super suave and sexy when you pull off a perfect pour.

15. Patience you must have, my young Padawan

Being in the trenches for so long may make you more forgiving when you waiter forgets your order.

16. Your drill sergeant or demanding boss will be nothing compared to an angry chef

Seriously, an angry chef is not to be trifled with. I once had a chef dismiss all the service staff in the middle of service after yelling at us for the entire day. He bought us all drinks the next day to say sorry though, so it was all good. But experiences like this will make you bulletproof by the time you get another job.

17. You can go to popular places on your off days

You'll be working on every single weekend and public holiday, but when your off day comes, the streets will be empty so you can shop in peace.

18. Free taxi rides home

Restaurants often close up way past your last bus or train, so you can look forward to cozy cab rides home provided by management!

19. You will develop heat resistance

Fancy restaurants serve hot food on hot plates. Seriously they are actually warmed up, and you WILL feel the burn, at least for the first 2 weeks.

20. You'll have a decent shot at winning any eating competition

There's always tons to do and prepare in a restaurant, 30 minute lunch breaks are a luxury and you'll learn to scoff down your meals FAST.

21. You'll develop close relationships

Fighting alongside your comrades in the restaurant against hordes of hungry customers and spilling blood and sweat is just part of the job.

22. A successful service is really satisfying

Knowing you've done a great job after a busy service and looking at all the smiling faces in the dining room can be really gratifying. Even if your legs feel like breaking by then.

23. Satisfaction from great service

It's a force of habit, you'll be pulling out chairs for people, handing out menus and filling glasses while totally impressing your companions.

24. You'll probably save more money

Your job will keep you very occupied but the good news is, you'll be putting money in the bank and generating interest!

25. You'll have a truly unique experience

There's no other business like the restaurant business. No two days are ever alike. And you'll be glad you've experienced this truly unique industry.

Start your journey now!

If any of that sounds fun to you, and if you're up for a challenge, apply from the wide selection of restaurant jobs on FastJobs!

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