Vicki's Old Career

As most of you know, I've been chugging away in the "hospitality" industry down here in Orlando for the past 15 years.

Now, I know most of you think that being a server (don't call them 'waiters' anymore) is a lowly, peon job. But when you live in a tourist mecca, such as Orlando, or Las Vegas, the Hospitality Industry is a very large part of what keeps those cities running.

Granted, the hours can suck, and the money can too, at times. But when it's good--it's very good. Hours are very flexible-pick up a shift or give up a shift. Work days, nights or both. And the money? Well, you can make as little - or as much - as you want. That depends on your energy level, need for the cash, greed, or if you're just working to pay the bills.

I spent the past 8 1/2 years at a place called Tony Roma's. Sounds Italian--it's not. It's a "Place For Ribs". Now, the average lifespan of a server in a single restaraunt is usually short. The turnover rate in any restaraunt is always very high. But, I have to admit, I really did like it there. The menu was a piece of cake, the guests were from all over the world, and my co-workers were straight out of the looney bin !! (You have to be slightly crazy to stay afloat in this business).

I had a set schedule for most of the 8 years. I worked Wed-Sat nights, occasionally I would do a volume shift on Saturdays. I was off Sun-Tuesday every week. I made pretty good money. I wasn't gonna retire on it, but it was good enough. I could go and work for Disney or some fine dining place, but they have too many rules, use too many polite manners. If any of you know me, you know I would never survive in that environment !!

And guess what? I survived in the industry for 15 years. And now, I am out of it. I hung up my apron and tossed my wine key in the drawer. My name tag went out with the trash and my nightly bar tab is paid in full.