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Hello,

I want to comment on the career of choice idea. I have been a waitress for almost 30 years and I would still be one if not for a horse accident. I loved being a waitress for many reasons, not the least of which was the great lifestyle of freedom and travel and the wonderful people whom I met--in and out of the kitchen! In regard to the statistics that Paul talks about concerning the industry in America, it is amazing to me how waiters and waitress are seen in America. It is such a huge industry and so many people have been or are involved, but they still don't see it as a career. "When are you going to get a real job?" is still asked of many of us who are happy in our work and our lives! It is a real job!

I am in New Zealand at the moment touring around promoting my movie (more in a minute) and have discovered a few interesting things. For the most part, and generally speaking, when you go to a place to eat here, you go to the counter and order, get your beverage (even alcohol), take a seat and they bring your food to you. They will come and take your plates away, but as far as being waited on, it is not the norm (except for finer dining establishments) and so the industry is very different. Also different is the fact that they get minimum wages-- $12.00 and hour. Maybe that explains why a small square of lasagna and a salad that all fits on the same smallish plate costs $23! And realize that the US dollar isn't too great at the moment... So I think that the industry doesn't led itself to professionalism and knowledge as much here (again except for places where there is serving happening). Also, there isn't tipping, the bright side is that there isn't any illegal tip pooling either.

There is a lot of press about the cost of food here in New Zealand as in the States as of late, and I realize that the economy is not great in the States, but remember: if you can afford to go out to eat and be served, you can afford to compensate those who serve you. We need to eat too!

In the States, people who are lifers are those who love their profession and have pride in what they do. Unfortunately, in many forms the media, we are consistantly portrayed as less than the intelligent, fun and hard working people who we are. Because of this, I was inspired to make a movie that shows us as we really are. My website is listed at the end of this post, and I want to mention that an interview that I did in the past will be replayed on "To The Best of Our Knowledge" program on NPR this weekend. I want people to learn about those of us in the industry and like Paul Paz, just want people to know that it is a profession of choice and deserves respect. We are not waitresses and waiters because we have to be, we are because we want to be! I look forward to hearing about this discussion!

Thanks for reading!
Patti DiVita
www.didisaythousandisland.com

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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