Cool. I love the Banff Sorings Hotel—and Banff. Been there a few times both seasons. Or. One of my old ski racing buddies Felix Belchyk (Ohh Canada!) owned a place there for awhile after he retired from racing.
Felix ! Yes ! A ‘Crazy Canuck’ ! You might laugh re my ‘Christmas Dayz’ tale.. a ‘memoir styling’ - ridin my thumb from Vancouver to Banff for Christmas Dinner.. Was as well trained as you - but in Toronto & it really helped as bartender to be perfectly ambidextrous with lightning hands..
already emailed a link to your fab tale to Karl.. guy I was training to replace me on The Coffee Cart - Spanish Coffees at the table.. night ‘we’ set the woman on fire via methyl hydrate burner - I was already on the bar as well.. Tom Jones was doing two consecutive shows next door @ OKeefe Centre - so two full house ‘hits’ & you know how that goes haha ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
Lmao!! Oh my I can absolutely relate!! In the early years of my (heavy sigh ugh) marriage, I was a waitress in smaller home town restaurants. Some ok tips but mostly small restaurants like that still had little old ladies that leave quarters and think 2 are great and if it is a paper dollar it is for a table of four or more.
After moving to California I worked in Newport Beach and thought I had made the BIG TIME.
The big deal was working the big bar table. A full table of drinking men meant a giant pile of quiet money with big numbers on them. Along with bullets of coke (the 80sin SoCal) The Waitresses who were blonde and “hot” (owners description) worked that table on weekends.
The night I quit was after putting up with a lot of butt pinches & ugly comments. There was a large tip, but the abuse was constant. When the “leader of the pack” the rudest, most arrogant guy who was obviously drunk on booze, his ego and his thought this little blonde hottie would meet him after her shift, went way too far. He came behind put his arms around my waist lifted me in the air and grabbed my crotch. I kneed him in the “spot” after being dropped to my
feet and I punched him in the jaw. I told him off, let him know in no uncertain terms that I had put up with a lot of abuse all night from him, that I was sick of being pinched, grabbed and I was DONE. I said he could take his coke, his grubby little hands and get the fk away from me. I quit probably before the owner could fire me. I went home said I had quit but not why as my husband would have gone there and made matters worse.
Working in a restaurant at any position is something EVERYONE should try. I guarantee they would be much nicer to the wait staff and become way better tippers!
I never worked a corporate one, but I can absolutely relate as a small town food runner(expediter is the fancy term) and busboy. You definitely learn to recognize a type of people as soon as they come in, even if they aren't regulars. I've served good Christians and I've served Good Christian People, and I'd much rather serve the former.
Ooooh I feel this pain having been a server in this exact situation so many times. I loved working in restaurants and bars in the 80's and 90's but there was certainly a few challenging situations. I worked in a place during the Olympic Games, it was right beside the grounds where many events were held. It was fascinating to see how folks from different countries treated the serving staff.
I agree Dee, everyone should do it. There's no education like a food and beverage education!
Great story with several solid messages. Entertaining, to boot!
When I was 21, I was a change gal at the Hyatt casino on the north end of Lake Tahoe. It was totally demoralizing (not the least of which was having to wear a fake tuxedo top and having older men slip me their room numbers when I cashed them out). The worst were the busloads of cheap ass day-gamblers who came in from near and far suburbs. Lots of volume, but lowest tips compared to even a slow, non-bus day. Reminds me a lot of your stingy, rude church women. I can recall the dread all these years later.
F-ing church ladies! You just never know if they are going to jilt you on tips or make you millions by naming your hot sauce high something like- PuckerButt. giggle giggle snort giggle
I wonder what that would have looked like for me (having extreme Autistic social anxiety, undiagnosed until age 55,) being potentially forced into a mandatory situation like that, as you suggested should be done with everyone. Maybe it would have been good to possibly reveal what my disorders are. Or, more likely in the ignorance of that day, result in me being committed to a psychiatric institution.
I’ve worked on and off—currently on—at restaurants the last 25 years. I can relate to this so well. I never confronted a guest over a bad tip, but it’s just because I was able to profile them as soon as I greeted them, so I knew well ahead I was getting fucked. The ebony church ladies give me PTSD. So many times just $5 on a $200 check. And the leader makes a big show of it. “And THIS is for YOU.”
Will get back to you.. mebbe can share some lighthearted war stories of ‘being in the juice’ or setting a woman on fire in a restaurant.. for now will Subscribe.. hardly ‘a leap of faith’ .. more that we can speak the same language.. haha.. I opened Silver City Saloon in Banff Alberta as DJ prior to bartending at The Clubhouse + DJ’ing there too - Banff Springs Hotel .. but those are just two juicy ones in the whole enchilada .. Wondrous article.. boffo ! Haha ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
OMG as someone who made a living in the industry for over 10 years, I SALUTE YOU!! We have all dealt with "the alter" on many occasions! I feel like I could run a whole blog on the industry and still never run out of content but I just need to leave it in my past LOL! I mostly worked in upscale/fine dining and yes, we made a shit ton of money but boy did we earn it some days.
My favorite part in this story was the Ramos Gin Fizz because although I never had to make or serve them, I enjoyed my very first one in New Orleans at the Sazerac bar in the Roosevelt hotel. I even put a photo of it in my post about a night out in NOLA https://wildhoodwanted.substack.com/p/human-connection-through-travel
Cool. I love the Banff Sorings Hotel—and Banff. Been there a few times both seasons. Or. One of my old ski racing buddies Felix Belchyk (Ohh Canada!) owned a place there for awhile after he retired from racing.
Felix ! Yes ! A ‘Crazy Canuck’ ! You might laugh re my ‘Christmas Dayz’ tale.. a ‘memoir styling’ - ridin my thumb from Vancouver to Banff for Christmas Dinner.. Was as well trained as you - but in Toronto & it really helped as bartender to be perfectly ambidextrous with lightning hands..
Can’t wait to read your piece on Pistol Pete. One of my heroes as well. I named one of my dogs after him—all white with tremendous “hops” ☺️
already emailed a link to your fab tale to Karl.. guy I was training to replace me on The Coffee Cart - Spanish Coffees at the table.. night ‘we’ set the woman on fire via methyl hydrate burner - I was already on the bar as well.. Tom Jones was doing two consecutive shows next door @ OKeefe Centre - so two full house ‘hits’ & you know how that goes haha ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
You might enjoy this one as well.
https://deerambeau.substack.com/p/too-much-snow
Lmao!! Oh my I can absolutely relate!! In the early years of my (heavy sigh ugh) marriage, I was a waitress in smaller home town restaurants. Some ok tips but mostly small restaurants like that still had little old ladies that leave quarters and think 2 are great and if it is a paper dollar it is for a table of four or more.
After moving to California I worked in Newport Beach and thought I had made the BIG TIME.
The big deal was working the big bar table. A full table of drinking men meant a giant pile of quiet money with big numbers on them. Along with bullets of coke (the 80sin SoCal) The Waitresses who were blonde and “hot” (owners description) worked that table on weekends.
The night I quit was after putting up with a lot of butt pinches & ugly comments. There was a large tip, but the abuse was constant. When the “leader of the pack” the rudest, most arrogant guy who was obviously drunk on booze, his ego and his thought this little blonde hottie would meet him after her shift, went way too far. He came behind put his arms around my waist lifted me in the air and grabbed my crotch. I kneed him in the “spot” after being dropped to my
feet and I punched him in the jaw. I told him off, let him know in no uncertain terms that I had put up with a lot of abuse all night from him, that I was sick of being pinched, grabbed and I was DONE. I said he could take his coke, his grubby little hands and get the fk away from me. I quit probably before the owner could fire me. I went home said I had quit but not why as my husband would have gone there and made matters worse.
Working in a restaurant at any position is something EVERYONE should try. I guarantee they would be much nicer to the wait staff and become way better tippers!
Yay for restaurant workers!!
Oh my. What a story! I believe it 100%. I saw many female colleagues endure nightmare behavior. Thanks for sharing Pam! ☺️
Thanks for the memories! I had plenty of the grabs etc - I can def imagine how the cocktail waitresses felt who “got to” wear those uniforms
I never worked a corporate one, but I can absolutely relate as a small town food runner(expediter is the fancy term) and busboy. You definitely learn to recognize a type of people as soon as they come in, even if they aren't regulars. I've served good Christians and I've served Good Christian People, and I'd much rather serve the former.
Relatable piece!
Thank you Lindsay 👍
clap clap clap!!! Bravo!!! Touche!!! I loved all of it!!!
Great story!!!
Woof woof woof woof woof woof!!!
[fist pumping!!!]
Ooooh I feel this pain having been a server in this exact situation so many times. I loved working in restaurants and bars in the 80's and 90's but there was certainly a few challenging situations. I worked in a place during the Olympic Games, it was right beside the grounds where many events were held. It was fascinating to see how folks from different countries treated the serving staff.
I agree Dee, everyone should do it. There's no education like a food and beverage education!
💯 Donna!
Great story with several solid messages. Entertaining, to boot!
When I was 21, I was a change gal at the Hyatt casino on the north end of Lake Tahoe. It was totally demoralizing (not the least of which was having to wear a fake tuxedo top and having older men slip me their room numbers when I cashed them out). The worst were the busloads of cheap ass day-gamblers who came in from near and far suburbs. Lots of volume, but lowest tips compared to even a slow, non-bus day. Reminds me a lot of your stingy, rude church women. I can recall the dread all these years later.
Sorry for triggering the trauma 😉
I understand Amy! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I could tell from the start this one would be a hoot, related with fine brio. We should have known each in the day.
P.S. I bartended some, drove a NYC taxi for two years. Similar lessons.
Many fine stories to share I’m sure my friend. ☺️ thanks for the read and the comment.
F-ing church ladies! You just never know if they are going to jilt you on tips or make you millions by naming your hot sauce high something like- PuckerButt. giggle giggle snort giggle
😂
I wonder what that would have looked like for me (having extreme Autistic social anxiety, undiagnosed until age 55,) being potentially forced into a mandatory situation like that, as you suggested should be done with everyone. Maybe it would have been good to possibly reveal what my disorders are. Or, more likely in the ignorance of that day, result in me being committed to a psychiatric institution.
🤷🏻♂️
100%. That, or selling something door to door, or working the phones, or some other thankless job in customer service.
I’ve worked on and off—currently on—at restaurants the last 25 years. I can relate to this so well. I never confronted a guest over a bad tip, but it’s just because I was able to profile them as soon as I greeted them, so I knew well ahead I was getting fucked. The ebony church ladies give me PTSD. So many times just $5 on a $200 check. And the leader makes a big show of it. “And THIS is for YOU.”
Why do they have to make a show of it? As we say in Texas. “Bless their little hearts.” Little being the operative word here. 🙄
Will get back to you.. mebbe can share some lighthearted war stories of ‘being in the juice’ or setting a woman on fire in a restaurant.. for now will Subscribe.. hardly ‘a leap of faith’ .. more that we can speak the same language.. haha.. I opened Silver City Saloon in Banff Alberta as DJ prior to bartending at The Clubhouse + DJ’ing there too - Banff Springs Hotel .. but those are just two juicy ones in the whole enchilada .. Wondrous article.. boffo ! Haha ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
OMG as someone who made a living in the industry for over 10 years, I SALUTE YOU!! We have all dealt with "the alter" on many occasions! I feel like I could run a whole blog on the industry and still never run out of content but I just need to leave it in my past LOL! I mostly worked in upscale/fine dining and yes, we made a shit ton of money but boy did we earn it some days.
My favorite part in this story was the Ramos Gin Fizz because although I never had to make or serve them, I enjoyed my very first one in New Orleans at the Sazerac bar in the Roosevelt hotel. I even put a photo of it in my post about a night out in NOLA https://wildhoodwanted.substack.com/p/human-connection-through-travel
I love it Kristi! It’s a nasty drink IMHO and I don’t know why anyone would drink it except out of novelty.
Thanks for sharing—I’m glad the story gave you a chuckle ☺️
Thank CJ. My experience over the years would inform me that no—they never learned that lesson.
Loaded potato skins ruled!!