The "Training" Section

Okay, so if you are a server or have serving experience, then you know about table sections. Your section can determine a lot when it comes to how much you make...even if you give amazing service! So the first day on the floor by yourself, you are given what is known as the "training" section. At my other job, it is two 4-top booths in the bar. At the hooters I work at it is five high-top tables. Now in a sports bar type vibe restaurant where the clientele is predominantly male (though we do get lots of families), this can actually be a pretty good section. Nice window view, convenient if its sunny, or if it is night time you get a few TVs to yourself. However, the downside is this: the area that the girls get drinks, plates and silverware is right in front of where you are sitting. Now if you like to see whats going on with the Pepsi that I am making you, along with plates and everything, then this is the section that you'd love to sit in. However, if you are not necessarily that interested in seeing lots of hooters girls clutter around in front of you, loud clanking sounds from the tin plates and girly gossip or arguments over who is getting cut first, then you'd rather sit somewhere else.

With all of that being said, my first day on the floor by myself is a lunch shift and I get the "training" section. The point of a section like this is that it is slower, and therefore, you won't get clusterfucked (my favorite word) by the demands of your guests! However, before I can start taking guests by myself, I have to go through what is called "Validation." Normally, this is when a manager comes in and dines in your section and you wait on them as if they are actual guest. They want to make sure you know what you are talking about, are asking the right questions, and how "Hooterific" you are with your guests. Fortunately for me, it wasn't a manager who did this, but instead another trainer. She was a pretty, blonde girl and seems very serious about her title. We went over what I thought were my strong points so far and what I thought I needed to work on. I told her my strong point was that I am a confident server, however, my weak point is that I needed to work on the "Hooters Girl" part of this job; being more comfortable with my tables, engaging conversation, and bring more of my personality to the table. I answered the questions honestly because I figured if I lied she'd tell me those were the things I needed to work on anyway. 

When we were done with that, I got sat immediately after. It was one guy and I put on the biggest smile that I could, gave him some pretty good service, and tried to engage in conversation. This is when I realized that not all guest will want to have a conversation, some are just as "shy" as I am and that I needed to learn to feel each of them out. Sometimes I think what if the reason they aren't being conversational is because they don't really want to talk. They just want to eat some pretty low priced food and go. The guys (and couples and families) that actual want some type of engagement bring that loud and jokester personality with them. Starting the conversation is hard for me but engaging in what seems like an invite to joke and play around is a piece of cake. That's why I like getting guys that are around my age. They are a lot more fun, not as uptight, and are a lot easier to talk to. The shift went by pretty fast and i made some pretty decent money for a lunch shift.

So my advice for any hooters girl hopeful: shake off your jitters before going on the floor, put a big smile on your face and just keep telling yourself that you are the shit! Haha! And try not to take the job too serious but at the same time, stay on top of your guests needs! And if you are like me, don't worry, you'll get that awesome table one day that brings your personality out and you'll get an awesome $30 tip on $20 check! 

Hoots & Kisses!!!!