Project Chick Lit Stage 1. Hooters

[rhonawestbrook]

Project Chick Lit Stage 1.

I have decided to become a waitress for a bit. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and haven’t tried yet. Also, since I am already a chick and a writer, I figure the only missing ingredient for this chick lit novel, is the setting. I have this weird feeling that weekend waitressing might just be that missing

Comments

[rhonawestbrook]

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

OMG I adore you Mel!

You know, today, sitting in that Hooters resteraunt I half expected to be struck by lightening even though my logical half knows better now.

It really made me think because I wonder, is what happens there any different than what happens anywhere?

If so, is the only difference--honesty?

The title of my book was going to be Hooters, Hypocrits and Hanna, but now I find I can't use that title so I'm not sure what I'll do. Going to learn alot though, that I do know LOL!

[jehannamama]

Hooooo boy! My daughter spent 2 years putting herself to school on her feet in several different restaurants. I don't think she tried Hooters, but I don't think there is one near where she lives, now.
This should be veeeerrrry inneresting!
You could be the Hooter with the heart of gold!

[rhonawestbrook]

LOL!

I'll be the Hooters girl with the secret agenda. I feel like I'm going under cover cuz I'm only doing it to find fodder for my novel you know?

I probably shouldn't tell them that in the interview though......my fellow waiteresses might not talk much to me after that LOL!

[zzinnia]

i can't believe you've never waitressed! it's THE BEST job in the world for insight into what makes people tick. i learned so much about dealing with people while waitressing that has continued to serve me my whole life

[barbarienne]

As someone who eats in restaurants A LOT, I'm going to add to Zzinnia's excellent advice:

7. "Read" the mood of the table. If it's a business meeting, be efficient; friendly is good, but chatty is not. If it's a friendly party, then clever and chatty is better.

8. Make friends with the bussers and other support staff. It's just like making friends with the secretaries and mailroom guys in an office. They have a lot of power to make your job easier or harder.

9. When you say, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" sound like you mean it (adding some suggestions is good: "Anything else I can get for you? Dessert? Another beer?"). Regular restaurant goers know it's part of the playbook, but if you sound like you're rushing us, we'll be annoyed.

I read Waiting by Debra Ginsberg, and it was really great.

[zzinnia]

yes. great suggestions.

[rhonawestbrook]

Thank you both SO much!!!!!

[rowanda380]

I think that would be fun, and hard, I have never worked in the food industry but I always assume it would be difficult.

But really, could you stand wearing that outfit?

[rhonawestbrook]

I saw the outfits today and OMG I love them! Tennis shoes, shorts and a tank top. Talk about comfort on the job! Plus, they all have to wear tight so I don't even have to shave my legs if I don't want!!!!

[rowanda380]

yeah...but those white socks? urgh. It is the white socks that bother me most.

[rhonawestbrook]

LOL!!!

They do look a little funky I will admit!

[tinaya]

Just so you know-- if you sell the book they may make you change Hooters to something else. When I wrote Espressologist it starred a Starbucks barista. Every editor etc. said it HAD to go-- can't name a big company like that in the book. Even when I changed it to Buckies Cafe they said that was still to close to the name. Just something to think about. :-)

[rhonawestbrook]

Oh NOOOOOOOOOO!

But but but...Hooters is my hook! Whyyyyyyyyyy?

:::: shakes fist at the heavens and wails::::

Thanks for warning me now girl. I appreciate it alot!

[tinaya]

I'm just telling you what happened to me. :-) I was pretty bummed when I had to lose the Starbucks thing.

[rhonawestbrook]

I can imagine especially if you'd already written it!

I haven't even writen this yet and I'm sad.

Poor us!