Can I Take Your Order?

Today is my first day training as a waitress and I'm balls nervous. Not so much for the escalated amount of human interaction that it will require, but more for the fact that the menu is about seven pages long (front & back!) and being a waitress at a very popular restaurant comes with customer rushes and stress. I've taken tables before, in fact, I took three tables a few weeks back. Simple. They ordered simple things, but I know that not everyone is going to order simple things and not everyone will be pleased with the food given to them. Here's a sample order: I'm gonna have the Denver Omelet with no tomatoes, but onions instead, extra cheese with sour cream mixed in with the side of potatoes. I'd also like wheat toast...make it dry with strawberry jelly on the side, and my homefries well done." Doesn't sound entirely daunting, but that's because I made it up on the spot and I'm not as complicated as the average foodie. Then there's the fact that I will be working every holiday as a server, which is completely different than hostessing every holiday because: I probably won't be home for Thanksgiving dinner (seems like my shifts will run from late afternoon-night) and probably won't be home for Christmas dinner either...I'm sorta bummed. Everyone says Christmas is super busy and so I don't expect to be let off easy, in fact, I can't even ask for them off without being written up at best. What's the upside? Well, to be perfectly blunt, I'll be making much more money. I'm not one of those people who will go to great lengths, or even do anything I don't want to do for the purpose of making a pretty penny. However, I am becoming the classic cliche of the woman who worked her way through college while "busing tables". The money will help for the fun stuff and for the apartment I'm dreaming of. Money is, ultimately, a good thing for those who don't obsess over it. For that, I am grateful for the promotion, and eager to bust my chops to show the boss what I can do and that I'm willing to learn as long as my holiday season isn't thrown to the sharks, and by sharks I mean...hungry customers. Fun Fact: All servers tip the bus boys 10% of their tips...every time we work. That was a new one for me, as are tip reports, which is basically more money being taken out of pocket for the government's secret usage. Gotta love it. Overall, I'm flattered that I've been given the positions, and oh, so glad to not have to swipe credit cards for seven hours straight, and VERY glad to not have to be responsible for the other two hostesses anymore. Wish me luck, because I'm going to need it. I pray for balance and zen.