Script
AMBI: The sounds of a packed and busy restaurant.
TRACK: Today I’m here with Regan Riviera, a high school senior who has recently decided to undergo the process of becoming a waitress in one of Texas’s many restaurant chains, Jimmy Changas. She was willing to provide more insight on the restaurant business as well as the reason she wanted to become a waitress.
ACT:REGAN: I wanted to become a waitress because I really love fast pace work. I like having something to do and being busy and feeling like I’m doing something and the restaurant industry is definitely one of the most fast paced places you can get. Also the money, there’s not a lot of opportunities where an 18 year old can make up to $30 an hour. Of course, it’s not set in anything and it depends on the day and all that, but some days you can make a lot, some days you can make a little, it’s just that potential to make a lot more is what drew me in.
TRACK: With Covid being a major factor in how restaurants have had to adapt and adopt new policies to ensure safety, it hasn’t been any easier for the staff as well as the customers.
ACT:REGAN: So Covid has had a pretty big impact on the restaurant industry especially because we have the same amount of customers coming in as before with half of the availability. It can put a lot of stress on us because we have a lot of people on waiting lists, long lines, and they’re asking us, “There’s all these open tables, why can’t we be sat?” We have to explain that about only being at 50% capacity and having certain spaces set aside to practice social distancing. It also makes cleaning procedures a lot longer and the days longer because we have to clean absolutely everything. Have everything disinfected to make sure that we have the least possible chance to spread disease and keeping up with regulations makes that a lot harder. It adds a lot more to our plates to get everything done on time.
TRACK: The process to become a waitress definitely isn’t easy and a lot more taxing than people may think.
ACT:REGAN: The process to becoming a waitress is definitely a lot more rigorous than somebody would think. It was a lot more rigorous than what I thought. There’s a lot involved. If you’re not super friendly or open to people, it’s hard to get used to being that cheerful person and making that experience for the customer enjoyable. Also at the same time, you have to memorize the menu and that’s honestly the hardest part of anything is getting that down, knowing the insides and outs of every entree, appetizer, dessert, drink, all of that. It’s super important that you know it so you have an answer ready and you’re not having that customer waiting to potentially be upset and as a result you suffer a lower tip. So it’s just knowing your information and it’s a lot more physically taxing than what I expected at first. Like I know I said it was fast paced, but it is fast paced. You don’t have time to sit down or take a break unless it’s scheduled in, you’re always moving, always doing something. Something’s always happening. You know, it’s almost impossible to have a perfectly smooth day.and it takes a toll on your body. I know after my first shift, everything was sore, my feet, my ankles, my knees, my hips, anything you name it, it was sore. Like stuff that I didn’t even use.
TRACK: Remember to wear your masks and socially distance whenever possible and of course, please respect every and all workers while we endure this crazy time. This has been Sebastian Botero, for Baruch College, thank you.