I'm server at Chili's in Tennesssee. And I have seen the gradual incline of my tips since this recession. I'm starting to look for another job. If I had the money to go to school I would...buts that no excuse...but this something I have to face and move on...

Restaurants more I think about it are cutting back on their personnel. I decided to skip lunch at the restaurant when I refused seating at a table that wasn't bussed yet. It happened today at the Hilton in Las Vegas of all places. Las Vegas is hurting also. I rarely eat out anymore unless it's business.

Restaurant jobs are truly the worst. Low pay and most customers who have never been in the business will dog you, thinking thats the way to get service.

where will the cooking oil come from for our home made bio-fuel systems? lol

This is so true. I also work at a Chilis in Ohio, and business is way down. Been at this location for 7 or 8 years, worst I have ever seen it. Usually we are excited about the Holiday season, but this year it's been a bust. Small tips, and very slow. Not many people coming out.

Everybody else is cutting back. Just wait until the senate turns down the auto loan. Lots more people will be out of work. And the recession continues and deepens.

My son-in-law who has never used his decade old masters degree in international business opted for a waitering (server) position at an upscale major resort hotel.

His position was that his "quality of life" of having a flexible work schedule and time off for the family was more important that developing a business career. The decade old master's degree have "depreciated" to having a "zero market value"; and his "upscale waitering job" certainly doesn't provide a "skill set" for alternative employment as the bottom drops out of the restaurant market.

It is all about "choices" that people make. The only good point is that the kids don't have any excessive indebtedness. They have a modest mortgage, and pay off the credit card charges every month. The question is: "What will they do if the "upscale waitering job plays out?"

The value of education and experienced skill sets cannot be overstated. Where does a "server" seek employment in these economic down times?

I think articles like this are the real problem we are having right now. If people like this lady would just stop printing dumb stuff like this people wouldnt be as freaked out. The restaurant business is permanetly done, did she really say that, this lady is nuts. The housing market goes down and people started to conserve but when the stocks started to tank that is when things started getting really bad. BUT!! what does she think is going to happen when the stocks come back up and the housing market starts to recover? For anyone to believe that the markets arent going to come back you have been brainwashed by people like this lady and the news who we know always make things worse COME ON!!! Im telling you when the stock market starts coming back, and it will be soon, that it is going to shoot up so fast people will be back to thinking their rich again and spending money. Act like adults people and relax!!!

GOOD TRY BRENDON FRYE.....YOU CAN'T MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING....THE STOCK MARKEY IS NEVER GOING TO COME BACK....PROMISES WERE MADE AND NOT LIVED UP TO....I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS, PEOPLE WILL NEVER INVEST IN STOCKS THE WAY THEY ONCE DID....THE COMPANIES THEY INVESTED IN (NO MATTER WHAT THE INDUSTRY WAS) ALL SHIT THE BED AND LEFT THE STOCK HOLDERS "SCREWED"....ASK YOURSELF ONE SIMPLE QUESTION....WILL YOU EVER BELIEVE ANYHING YOUR STOCKBROKER TELLS YOU EVER AGAIN ??? ARE YOU THAT NAIEVE ?

Yeah lets kick the smokers out, We haven't been to a resturant since the no smoking ban went into efffect in ohio and won't.

I think you are being a bit harsh with your son-in-law...my husband
has been a waiter for 22+ years now and earns more than 6 figures a
year--the fact is if you work at a truly upscale dining
establishment you only see a decline in the clients that only come in
for "special occasion" events --and they never tip well because they
can't afford to go to these places on a regular basis-- (they would never spend 600.00 to 1500.00 for a bottle of wine...)The truly
weathly are still dining out and tipping well...the fact that your
son-in-law values his family more than a mid-level corporate job
should impress you--you could encourage him look for a job in an very
upscale restaurant--resorts are too seasonal and do not offer a "call
party" base that's needed to earn a great salary--by the way we have
3 children ages 15, 11 & 8 live in an upscale neighborhood...if my
husband ever does need extra money he is always able to pick up an
extra shift here and there...

If some of the restaurants would cut the portions in half and charge half as much we would all be healthier and could afford to go out and eat.

I will def be investing in stocks again, you pretty much have to if you want to make a decent return on investment overtime. Of course if you look at it today things look like crap but this cycle is supposed to happen and will happen again, MIKE it is called life, we can all either cry about it or accept it will we continue struggling for a while until it all get worked out like it always does. Im done crying!!!!!

Let's keep it real people. I've been in the business for 17 years from the back to the front of the house and yes the economy is taking it's toll on every industry. But, the business that chose me has always been good to me for the most part. Yes, tips are down and so are sales for those places that don't know how to market and reinvent themselves in these troubled times. The fact is that when times are hard people still need some sort of outlet socially to escape their problems and the bar and restaurant industry still provides just that. We like to gather with friends and family over a nice meal or have a drink and celebrate our good times or mull over our bad ones... All I 'm saying is don't give up on us yet because along with the upcoming economy rebound charged by President- Elect Obama, there will be a rebound in hospitality.

Peace

Welcome to the GOP BUSH CHENEY RUMSFELD OIL Inc. trickle down DEPRESSION ... ENJOY IT and at the next election FIRE every last GOP politician in office!!!

I EAT RAMEN NOODLES EVERDAY FOR LUNCH IT IS 4 CENTS A DAY I AM RELLY SICK OF THEM BUT I DID LOSE WHIGHT I AM DOWN TO ABOUT 100 LB

well my experience in the restaurant and catering business is the only thing really hiring is temp agency looking for server cause it easier to pay on a need to need base but even there opportunities

Check out www.serversunite.com There are still servers making great money, despite the economic down turn...