Last night was probably the most interesting night for me, at Hooters, since I've started there. It started out pretty slowly. Alicia and I clocked in at the same time, not sure if we were supposed to clock in on our own or wait on one of the managers, then we waited. It wasn't long before we realized none of the other Hooters girls were anywhere around, so we went into the back office to find Mr. Not So Slick. he told us Jump Start had started and THATS where we needed to be.
Well duh, but where is it at??
He pointed us in the right direction and we slowly made our way back there in that awkward "we're-the-new-girls" way that is blatantly distracting. There were 4 girls already back there and the meeting was under way, so we slipped into some seats and listened. The man conducting the meeting was a manager who had flown in from another Hooters (I didnt catch which one) and once again, happened to be an asian man that i couldn't understand. What is it with this place and asian people that barely speak english? Anyways, when he said his name it sounded like Kevlar, so I guess that'll be his new nickname. Although, we'll have to wait and see if he really is anything like the bullet-proof kevlar material. In the middle of the meeting, another Hooters girl decided to join us. Everyone in the store calls her Cheerleader because of her...well...lack of common sense and distinct ignorance. And I think it must have something to do with the hot pink cheerleading sweatpants. Just maybeee. Alicia and I were informed that if you are late to Jump Start, you are forced to close, even if its not your shift. I think thats great! It will encourage me to never ever be late, which is something I need, because attendance is a big problem for me. So Jump start ended pretty quickly, Alicia and I were paired up with our trainers and the night started off....at a crawl. This is, however, where it starts to get good.
(Oh, btw, on Friday nights we are supposed to wear an all black uniform, which neither me nor Alicia were supplied with. Luckily they had some in the back. Unluckily, they only had a size xxs in the black shorts, so I have permanant divets in my hips where the shorts dug into my skin. Not comfy. I do, however, like the black uniform better. Its easier to look like you fit into them, for some reason)
My Trainer is an incredibly sweet, very pretty girl who is just a few years older than me. And she's pregnant, which took me by surprise bigggg time, so we'll call her Baby Mama. She does not in any way look pregnant, but she is only 9 weeks along. I'll keep you updated as much as I can on that (slightly controversial) subject. Alicia was partnered with a different girl, who we'll call Beanpole, mainly because she's so tall and skinny that I'm almost afraid she'll break if she bends over. Not to say she's not also sweet. Most of the girls there are very nice, with the exception of a few. We started off with the tables test (incredibly easy) and then went onto the Hooters Hospitality Test (also incredibly easy) and then my section got sat (which means I got a table. Go me for knowing restaurant lingo, eh?) My very first table was a mom, dad and their daughter. They ordered wings, the dad got a few beers and they left, all within 30 minutes. The next table we got was a group of ten men, ranging between ages 25 and 45. Baby Mama asked me to write down the drink orders, so I did and when they asked for alcohol, we checked all ID's. (later, Baby Mama pulled me aside and told me they were all cops and cops-in-training, so it was a good thing we did check their licenses.) As the night went on, the Cops-In-Training ;drank a little more and definitely got more comfortable. The big story for them comes as I was leaving, so I'll elaborate on that in a few.
In the first few hours of the night, I noticed an older man asking a few of the girls for pictures. they stopped, smiled and let him snap a few before returning back to work but none of them stopped to chat with him. At one point, he stopped me, Alicia and beanpole and asked for a picture. we complied and when i tried to have a conversation with him, beanpole hurried me over to the Wait Station.
"God he's so aggravating!" she grumbled.
I couldn't really understand the problem, so I asked her what was so annoying about it.
"he just constantly does that when we're trying to work. I can't take it!"
obviously, she missed the part of the handbook that said it was our job to do this sort of thing. oh well.
Later on I found my way back to the man and sat to walk with him. he took a few more shots of me and promised to come and sit at my table once I was waitressing on my own. Score! more tips for me. Take that beanpole.
the rest of the night went smoothly. I got increasingly more comfortable and started to joke with some of the customers, mainly the table of 10. They were just so much fun! When they finally paid, a man handed Baby Mama his credit card and the man sitting next to him urged us to check out the picture on it. It was the man and his wife's wedding picture. Thats true dedication isn't it?
"He ain't getting anywhere with that" one of the guys laughed and the rest of them gave him shit for it all night. So did I, but secretly I thought it was kind of cute. I bet his wife feels the same way.
Now, for the best story of the night! As it got closer to closing time, I was told I wouldn't be closing up and that my trainer and i should cash out our tables (we'd had 4 in total). Once done with that, we could order some food, clock out, change into regular clothing and go home. Finally. I was absolutely exhausted! So with the tables done, I changed, clocked out and started to walk towards the front door. The Cops-In-Training had moved to the bar (all except for one guy) and as I walked by I started to talk with them for a second, asking how everything was and telling them they'd have to come back.
"hey, our buddy over there (he pointed to the one guy still at the table) is just about in love with you"
"really?" I asked "we'll then, I'm gonna have to go say goodbye to him specifically then aren't I?"
I walked to the guy still sitting at the table, thanked him for coming and asked if I could have a hug goodbye, because I was off the clock and heading home. he hugged me and offered to buy me a beer, which i turned down because...well, they were cops and I'm under age. and I just really wanted to get home to my boyfriend.
"well, can i ask you if you're going to school around here then?"
I'm not, but its much easier just to tell them I am.
"I'm going for Culinary arts"
His mouth just about hit the floor.
"you can COOK?! will you please marry me?"
I laughed and said "only if you promise to come back and sit in my section again."
Fortunately, they were all from out of town and won't be coming back for quite some time, so I don't think I'll need to hold that promise very high. I finally excused myself, told them all they were my very favorite table and left.
My night officially ended cuddled up with my boyfriend, munching on reese's ice cream and watching him play black ops. Or maybe I should say trying to watch him play, since I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
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