The Other Side of the Tray

Those who study the restaurant business say there are two kinds of people in the world: those on the customer side of the tray, and those on the waitress side of the tray. Mary was no waitress, but she was on the other side of the tray.

Reka Nagy recalls the time when she was waiting tables and had a tray full of drinks, and then had the misfortune of crashing into her manager, causing them both to tumble to the floor.

Nagy, however, while falling, managed to keep the drink tray she was carrying horizontal, so that even as she lay on the floor, not a drop was spilled, not a glass was broken.

It was such a spectacular performance that the customers, far from chuckling at her clumsiness, instead gave her a rousing cheer and round of applause!

Unfortunately, such responses are rare.

Waitresses. They’re hauling heavy trays. Crashing into co-workers. Being poked and grabbed and yelled at. Having to smile and be nice to rude customers. Receiving lousy tips.

It can be a brutal way to make a buck.

An honorable profession to be sure, and some wait staff make good money. But most work hard for their money with not much more than bruises and bunions to show for the effort.

Suzy Hansen, who has studied the restaurant business, argues ...