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Once you’re a waiter, you are changed, perhaps scarred for life. Something about the experience alters your perception of dining forever, and no matter what restaurant you have worked in, an Applebee’s or The French Laundry, there are experiences, dynamics and personalities on both sides of the table that are universal. For anyone who has been under a rock since October, Waiting is a movie starring none other than Van Wilder’s Ryan Reynolds, about the angst, agony, sarcasm and debauchery of restaurant life.
The film is hilarious. Written and directed by Rob McKittrick, the script is well-done, and the characters are identifiable. Luis Guzman as the knife-wielding, Manson-eyed chef brought back several frightening “gentlemen” out of the dark recesses of my mind. Reynolds' portrayal of the restaurant’s “head” waiter is priceless and authentic. Each character personifies qualities of front and back of the house eccentricities and idiosyncrasies. It’s a fun look at the industry and our quirks, |
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and in my mind, destined to become a cult classic, right there with Hollywood Knights, Office Space, The Sweetest Thing, and the Dude.
Inspired by the movie, I spoke with Rob about his experiences of waiting, and the challenge of bringing that vision to life.
When, where, and how old were you when you first waited tables?
My first time, I was 21 at Steak and Ale in Bradenton, Florida, and was there for about a year and a half before I got fired for double dipping. The gratuity was an auto-grat, and on the check, I wrote, “Thanks, Rob” and added a second gratuity. I was a bad kid, what do you want from me?
How did being a waiter affect your perspective?
It affected me in that it inspired me to do something to get out of it. I was a really good server. I’d joke around with my tables. If they think you’re funny and cool, they leave you a fat tip. You |
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