Breaks In the biz

It’s obvious you’ve only been working the industry for one year. If you want breaks, work for a corporation, like Sheraton or Wendy’s. Even then, if you work in a kitchen it never happens.

Eat a good meal before you go to work. Waiters who go to work hungry are like kids who don’t eat breakfast and whine about being hungry at school. Tell me if you eat a good meal in the a.m., something substantial around 3:00, that you won’t be able to make it until 11:00 without more food. Also, drinking water will fill your belly, is good for you to boot. Still too hungry? Bring a power bar or nutrigrain.

This is a competition-motivated industry. Somebody out there wants that $150 in 6 hours more than you, maybe even enough to take care of their own hunger problems without bringing it up in meetings and wasting everybody’s time.

To Chef,
I do eat 2 large meals, in fact before going to work. That’s not the issue. The issue here is law breaking and the people, like you, who not only encourage it, but perpetuate it!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to leave my customers or co-workers hanging. If there’s something that needs to be done, I’ll do it. But being at work for several hours should include a break or two, even for 5 minutes.

The bottom line is the restaurant business shouldn’t be immune to the law.

I understand now. It’s not about the food, it’s the principal of the matter. Cuz I thought you said “how am I supposed to go that long without food?”

If you want to tackle the principal wrongs in this industry, you should start with the sexist hiring, drug culture, rampant alcoholism, money laundering, lack of insurance/benefits, and abusive stress-filled environments.

Once you solve those, you can continue with the break thing.

Or just get a new job… sounds like the quick solve for your situation.

You ungrateful shit. You obviously haven’t worked in a restaurant long enough to understand you are overpaid for what you do. Take the hit you whiner. For a five hour night you need a break. You make a lot of money for very little work. Oh you know what, just tell your tables you’re gonna take five. They’ll understand. Quit your job. I can already tell you do nothing but piss and moan making your co-workers lives unbearable. Waiting tables can suck but at worst it’s easy money for very little work. What we don’t need is constant yammering from people like you. You will never be happy with your job. You will find something to complain about. There’s usually one of two of you at every restaurant. The good news is you don’t last there long. Shut up and work or go home. You’re f#&*ing up our money now.

I think you’re all being a little harsh. Can you not remember when you first started working in the industry and not understanding the ins-and-outs?
I think the thoughts on water and a powerbar were great. Also, kiddo, just take a break. You will learn how to work your management. You will understand the flow and know when it is ok/isn’t ok to hide in the bathroom for five minutes, or step outside.
There will be those nights you just cannot take a break.
As for the person who said you make all that money for very little work, screw you. I’ve been in this business for over 7 years and I work damn hard for my money.

Yes, the restaurants are breaking the law. Yes, serving is easy money. Yes, eat a protein boost before going to work and drink your water. Guess what? I’m in my 30’s and my metabolism is still out of control like it was when I was a teenager. What if a server is hypoglycemic and works in restaurants because they’re more secure when they’re surrounded by food? No matter how much I eat at home, I’m already starving 2 hours into my shift, especially if it’s busy.

You still have options:

Denny’s is the only restaurant I’ve seen that insists on everyone getting their 30-minute unpaid break. You close out or transfer your tables, take the break, eat a cheap, discounted meal and start over on the floor. What? Don’t wanna work at a shithole Denny’s? Why not?! Wait, never mind.

On to real restaurants. Eat off the plates you buss, and don’t get caught. Gross to some proud folks, but more honest than stealing food from the hand that feeds you. Never mind that management steals your right to a meal break, this is about preserving your sense of self. Decide whether you’d prefer to be a thief or a pig. If you’re a guy and some hot chick didn’t finish her dessert, you can fantasize about sharing it with her. For extra kink points, use HER spoon.

Think you’re too good to do that? Starve in your dignity. But if you get cranky when you’re hungry, you are doing a disservice to your guests and co-workers by copping a bad attitude on the floor. So suck it up, and save the workplace-rights activism for the right occasion.

I’m not saying these are ideal solutions, just available ones.

i know a restaurant down in california that requires their employees to take breaks, and the servers hate it. someone has to come in and take all the tables for the person on break, ie everyone’s screwed out of their money due to a requirement. they can’t opt not to break, it’s required. plus, you’re a server, you know going in that there are few breaks if any on a shift. you’re there to make money, why would you want to take a break…that’s what happens when you sit at the bar after your shit. deal with it. you whine now without one, but you’d whine even more if you had to lose money for the break that you wanted…

Chef you are an over paid no talent loser. Your in the business of serving food, your legacy ends up in someone’s toliet. Your not curing cancer you ignorant !@#$. Going out to eat is fine but for people like you who take it that seriously, go move to France, they’ll put up with pompous asses like yourself.