Working Experience Part 3: Floor Attendant a.k.a Waiter

 
Assalamualaikum generous people. How are you today? May all of you are in the best state of health and iman, in shaa ALLAH. Alhamdulillah everything is fine about myself, only that I've been experiencing back ache for three days straight now, so...yeah... a bit painful. I hope it's the pregnancy thing, not something else or I could be in trouble! Hahaha.

Alrighty people, have you worked at a restaurant before? If yes, did you like it? Yes? No? So so? For myself, I personally think that it is quite enjoyable (not as fun as at 7 Eleven though) working at Kenny Rogers Roasters Restaurants (KR, branch Ampang Point, again! Hehe). After quitting at 7E, I started working at KR from March till late May 2007. If you asked me why I quit working at 7E, I actually am not sure myself. I guess I was getting exhausted with the internal problems happening in the store that affected the relationship among the staff. On top of that, I had a friend working at KR, and she asked me to work there with her. So I thought it might be best to leave 7E at that time, and go to work at KR with my friend.

I got hired at KR quite easily because they needed a floor attendant urgently. So alhamdulillah, after going through an interview with the supervisor who was only three years older than me, the job became mine. Before the interview, I never set my foot in the restaurant ever! So that was my first time you know? 

There were many aspects which were of at my own loss working at KR compared to working at 7E. Firstly, the staff have to wear all black from top to toe. This means that I had to buy new pants, shirt, and shoes. One pants and one shirt is not enough, I have to have at least two sets. KR only provide the apron. Whereas at 7E, I can wear anything and whatever color I like. We are provided with a smock or a jacket as an indicator that we are the staff there. Other than that reason, the smock is really useful since it can be very chilly in the store.  

Secondly, the working hours is shorter than 7E, and this means less pay. The shifts start from 10am-4pm, 3pm-9pm, and 6pm-12pm. So obviously, it is six hours per shift, while at 7E, it is eight hours. Thirdly, working at a restaurant, it is unavoidable that you have to memorize all the menus and their respective acronym or short forms (to be written on the order sheet). I guess this happens at all restaurants all over the world, right? Fourthly, and perhaps the most serious of all, was having to deal with customer's annoying behavior. The fussy, and always-dissatisfied ones. Well you know how hateful human beings can be, don't you? Hence yeah... I just had to bear all those since it was myself who decided to work there. However, on the bright side, when dealing with annoying people, it really taught me to be professional, humble, and patience. Certainly, as a staff, I would never dare talking back to customers, though in reality I consider myself as a very defensive person. Serve me right, right? Hohoho.

During my time, there were three main jobs in the restaurant which were "floor attendant", "kitchener" and "server" (if I'm not mistaken). The floor attendants, a.k.a waiters welcome the guests, direct them to a table, give and introduce menu, take order, and serve the food. They also wipe, clear and prepare the table, sweep and mop the floor, and sometimes distribute flyers to people walking in front of the restaurant. Kitcheners stay in the kitchen, and usually this post is fixed. Only the server and floor attendant's posts are switched among the non-kitcheners based on the supervisor's preference. So the kitcheners prepare all the ingredients, grill the chicken, bake the muffins, organize the huge cold room (not sure what it's called), etc. Server will prepare the meals ordered by guests. They cut the chicken, choose the side dishes and gravy according to the orders, make the drinks, as well as regularly clean the serving area so everything look fresh and tempting. Haha. Whereas supervisor or manager will be in charge of the cashier. 

The newbies were usually be given the floor attendant post. So I did all the tasks I mentioned earlier. The most nervous part of this post is when serving the meals on the table. You definitely don't want to do any mistakes here. Alhamdulillah I think I managed to serve the guests well throughout the time I worked at KR. Yet, I had this one embarrassing moment when I wanted to clear the table. What happened was, the guests called me and asked to clear the table. So I cleared it as usual. When I wanted to lift the plate, I don't how it happened but a piece of ring-cut onion got stuck or hung on the edge of the chair. It was an awkward yet funny situation as the guests eyes were all on me to see what I was going to do. Of course, I had to put back the plate, and pick the onion, then quickly made my way to the kitchen. -_-' . Sometimes, to avoid from having to entertain the guests, I deliberately stay in the kitchen and wash the dishes and only come out when needed. Naughty worker I was, hahaha. 

As time passed by, I was asked to try the server post. I didn't do well at first; cutting the chicken perfectly was quite challenging. Again, I ran off and stood at the restaurant's door to welcome guests when I got this post until I am called to stay at the server's area. Naughty naughty! Hahaha. Later on, I got used to it and always hoped to get this post. Cutting the chicken and pouring all the dishes on the plate was really fun! Nevertheless, when guests come and make lots of orders, either dine-in or take away, it can be nerve-wrecking because you certainly don't want to mix the order up. Server must be alert with the little details such as requesting for black meat part (drumstick), or white meat part (chicken breast), extra gravy, extra cheese, etc. 

In terms of relationship among the staff, it was a lot better compared to when I was in 7E. We worked together to clean the restaurant when opening and closing it everyday. We hung out together on the off-days, and even when I later no longer work there. Quite many times the newbies were treated by the senior staff at a Mamak restaurant nearby. We cracked jokes together, and always be reminded to perform solah when it is time. Also, the supervisor (there were two supervisors, and both are good-looking guys, haha) sometimes prepared our food when it is our break time. Wasn't that sweet? For your information, we get to eat almost anything we like in the restaurant. So I always eat my favorite which is the quarter chicken set. For the guests, they get to choose three side dishes, but we could only select two. For me, it will be a quarter chicken with black pepper gravy, savory (now aromatic) rice, and coleslaw/macaroni and cheese, as well as vanilla muffin (I think we did get a muffin....or maybe not.... forgot already). These were, and still are my favorites! So yum!! This is definitely one of the best things that I experienced working at KR (at 7E, you pay for your own meal).

Remember I said about Ampang Point area being 'international' and lots of celebrities around? So yeah, I get to practice my English as well when talking to foreigners who came to eat at KR. There were Koreans, Africans, Middle-Easterners, etc. One African guy even asked for my number because he wanted to make friends with the locals. I politely said no to him. Though he clearly said "No sex", I just thought that it wasn't quite right to do so. Sorry bruh. Celebrities I met while working here include Aqasha, Khatijah Tan, Wardina Safiyyah, Que Haidar, and Sharifah Aleya.

After two months, I thought it was best to leave and take some time off before I start my diploma course. Other than this reason, it was said that the manager took a large sum of the restaurant's money which affect our pay. Felt betrayed and used, many staff left the workplace, including myself. 

All in all, working at a restaurant is quite tiring, and the pay is little. If you are looking for experience, then never mind the pay. But if you really want to make money or need it urgently, restaurant might not be the best option. Of course, this could be inaccurate because I have only worked at one restaurant, so I have no idea how much one gets at other places. 


This was how I utilized my time after SPM. I bought lots of stuff using my pay such as my first mobile phone, top-ups, lots of Korean drama DVDs, jeans, t-shirts, and more. I could not remember if I give some money to my parents. If I did, what a good daughter I was. If I didn't, I really should have done so. I was too busy working that I forgot about my driving licence. Nonetheless, I didn't feel any regret about this because I truly enjoyed my working experience. Moreover, I knew that whatever happens, I will definitely possess  a driving licence one day. It was just a matter of time. :D :D :D

Done with part 3. In shaa ALLAH another six parts (hopefully lesser) coming up. A bit exhausting isn't it? I think I will write about something else in between so I might not drown or tire myself with this working-experience series, and most importantly, YOU will not get BORED reading the same topic for too many times.  

Feel free to write comments below and share your experience with me and other people. 

Till then,
Love,

Nusaybah.   

p/s: I've been using only logos since I don't have any photos of myself or with my work mates at both workplaces. Too bad :(