I really need to vent but I can’t really be this negative about a local spot to people that may share that feedback on other social platforms. So, here we go -
So exhausted. New brewery/distillery/restaurant just opened up. Was hired 3 months ago, but they delayed the opening 4 separate times. During that time we were expected to come in every week, 10am-2pm or later to “study”. Forced to memorize every detail, all of the products, the owner’s background, hell I’m surprised we weren’t quizzed on the dudes favorite color.
This job has us working 7-8 hours shifts overbooked for 3 family and friends nights in a row this week. No breaks, no sitting, no food. We were promised food, but now the head chef refuses to let any of us order our “guaranteed” shift meal while we sit around 30min past close watching the owner’s friends eat huge burgers for free.
We’ve had the owner’s (mother in law? Wife? Don’t know or care) come in and demand immediate seating when every chair was full.
We’re forced to make sure every table takes a survey after their experience. I was allowed to invite 2 guests. Their food came out like shit, and when I talked to the chef she point blank told me “I don’t give a fuck, I know the food is good”. But when HER guests had a complaint? We all had to hear about it.
It has been two days and I am already sick to death hearing about the owner’s lore (that we have to memorize, btw). The worship over the products is incredibly overblown. 22 dollars for 6 wings, 45 for a dry pork chop and 80 dollars for a whiskey that tastes like nail polish remover.
My throat is sore, I’m tired of talking and having people give me shit for the spiel I’m forced to give at every table. But if I don’t do it, I get talked down to like a moron by management.
There’s one other main person sharing the role I was hired for, so we’re understaffed because people quit during the process (wonder why..). She means well but she constantly makes mistakes that I have to undo, and I’m getting the brunt of the feedback from said mistakes because she doesn’t step up and accept accountability. No matter how I word it, if I mention this I’m “not a team player”.
I have also had several older men grab my shoulders/pat me without consent on the way out each night. “Oh they’re just happy to be here, they’re our friends it’s fine”. And I’m expected to enter the men’s bathroom several times a night to clean, with no male backup or signage.
I’ve gotten great feedback, everyone is “happy” with my work, my demeanor, whatever. I’m doing “great”. But this doesn’t feel “great”. This feels like underpaid workers kissing ass for an elite social circle in town to hang out and smell each other’s farts.
I’m starting to think this industry maybe just isn’t for me.