Any waiters/waitresses? Need info.

[Big Phil]

So I'm thinking of getting a different second job because the one I have now took away our only benefit.

Anyway....

I was thinking about waiting tables but I have no experience in that field. I'm really good with people (it's what I do in my other job) and I'd like to bring home a couple hundred bucks a week. Ideally I'd work 3-4 shifts a week.

I know I would be at the mercy of the patrons but is it doable or should I stick to retail?

 

[Vaquero]

I aint one, but my youngest is.
If your good at it, you'll make bookoo cash. On yer feet all day.

 

[rsayloriii]

If your good at it, you'll make bookoo cash.

This. I've known good waitresses that will make a few hundred + a day. 90% is how good you are, and 10% is when you work. More customers = more potential for tips.

 

[Vaquero]

Alcohol helps too.

 

[breakingcontact]

People may scoff at it, but when I first got to Austin (jobless) I was looking for anything. I was surprised at what some of the security guard jobs paid.

I vote anything but retail.

 

[Glockster69]

I ain't one, never have been. Seems to me unless you are excellent at selling yourself, you'd have to spend 6-12 months at the *Chili's* of the world (lower tips) before you could get on at one of the nice restaurants on the Riverwalk. Good luck either way.

 

[Shuutr]

Depends on the restaurant. It determines your sales and your clientele.

 

[rsayloriii]

Alcohol helps too.

Customers ... not you.

 

[Vaquero]

Customers ... not you.

Uh, yeah. Sorry.
If the establishment serves alchohol, your tips increase.

 

[Big Phil]

I'm not trying to work on the riverwalk. Too far and I'm not a fan of downtown.

 

[Vaquero]

Don't blame ya. Parking fees put ya in the red before ya start shift.
Locals tip better and come back for good service.

 

[fuelfather]

I used to make decent money delivering pizza for Dominos back in the day.

 

[RstyShcklfrd]

I preferred retail to the restaurant business. That's just me. It was easier to sell people stuff than it was to clean up after them. But, I was a busboy. YMMV.

 

[Big Phil]

I liked retail until now, we went from a company that actually cared about people, to just make money and nothing else.

I was thinking it might be time for change.

 

[Dawico]

Waiting tables can bring in some good cash. My wife made pretty good money doing it. It helps if you are fun, can keep cups full, and look good.

 

[robertc1216]

I would say a good part of how much you make is the Restaurant your working in. My fiance works at a country dinner here in houston. she is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She gets pretty crappy tips alot of the time.

 

[benenglish]

I would say a good part of how much you make is the Restaurant your working in.

Agreed.

According to what I've been told, cocktail waitresses in certain clubs get good tips. I wonder if a guy named "Big Phil" looks good in a little black dress?

 

[M. Sage]

Alcohol helps too.

Especially combined with a nice rack.

 

[Big Phil]

Yeah I have a "great personality". But I'm married so I don't care!

 

[stdreb27]

IMO and I've worked both, retail and good service.

The work sucks. The higher brow your clientele the more $$ you make.

I'm not sure what kind of experience you have. BUT you'll make more money waiting tables. The problem is your gonna have to work at crappy restaurants before you make any decent money.

On the high end, I have a buddy (guy to boot) that pulls 500 a shift at del friscos.

You'll never do that in retail.