What a job!! !

Post Reply New Topic

So mid October last year I packed in my job as a seamstress for a bridal shop and decided to become self employed.
Well it's going so-so.
I'm making half the amount I need to pay the bills each month from my sewing.
I've had to take on evening work to try to pay the other half of the bills, buy me food and be able to go out now and again.

I must have picked the worst job imaginable for a (possible) Aspie.
I am waitressing in a very busy restaurant.

I have to great people, seat people, smile and take their drink order.
Take them warm bread and their drinks.
Take their food order. Deliver food order to chef.
Meet and great and seat next party of people do the same with them - only part way through that I have to take out starters to the first couple/party. Then I have to remember where I'm up to with 2nd couple/party and continue with that.
Another waitress may have done step two with 2nd party so I need to realise this and deal with something else.
Another couple/party arrive. Great them seat them - give them menu 'I'll be back in a moment to take your drink order'.
Remove plates from 1st couple/party as they've finished starters.
Clean of waste food and put in dish washer.
Go back to 3rd couple/party, smile and take drink order.
Get their drinks and warm bread.
Chef calls order for table 2.
Take out order to table 2 then go back and finish drinks for 3rd couple party because hadn't finished that yet - food order to go out always come first!!

And so it goes on.....
Does your head hurt yet?

How am I going to survive this job?
Add to this one particular waitress that has rubbed me up the wrong way (hope that's a universal saying all can understand)
each time I have worked with her!!
Also add intense heat in the kitchen, crashing crockery sounds, and squeezing between seats with heavy dishes in hand.

I may explode into a million tiny pieces one day soon!

This really reminds me of my last job; I had to run back in forth in a cafeteria serving food plus cashiering. I would have to remember peoples' orders so they wouldn't lie about the food in their to-go boxes. I probably was averaging five miles a day working there.

Alright, try to think of the bright side. You're getting exercise, plus you're getting to know people on a superficial level, which will help your small talk abilities.

I always had to think of the positive things... exercise, money, and the friends I had there. When I started thinking about the negatives, that's when I quit.

That sounds pretty tough. But I think that Ria1989 has made some good points. I think that it would be a good way to practice your small talk skills because you always have a time limit, so there is always a reason why you can only say a couple of things and then have to go and do something else. Eventually you might become more comfortable with small talk and you can apply this in your own business. Gaining these skills will help you a lot as you will be able to make your sewing customers feel more welcome and comfortable if you become better at small talk.

You might even be able to turn the work at the restaurant to your advantage. Perhaps you could ask your boss if you could put your business card for your sewing business on the counter or something like that. It might lead to more sewing work for you.

Is it a family restaurant? I have noticed that people with children like it if you find something nice to say about their children. This might do as a start for the small talk.

Good luck!

Alessi

A job agency I used to be in, used to say, 'It's easier to get work if you're working'. I guess what they meant is that a potential employer would be more impressed by an applicant who is working that an unemployed person.

So i'd say, stay at the (survival) job, but since it will probably end anyway (because you'll leave), plan your exit, into another job. So use the time to keep applying elsewhere.

Good luck.