When you think of a country club what do you imagine? Golf, fine dining, lazy days in the sun? That’s exactly how it was…for the members. I was on the other side of the line. I worked as a waitress and got to see all the good, bad and ugly parts of a country club.
My mornings were filled with the beautiful view of the skyline of the city. The air felt clean and fresh. I’d usually arrive around 7 or 8am and stay until 3 or 4pm. In those seven or eight hours of my day I’d see and hear a lot. First thing to know is that as a waitress I had to not freak out or act like a fan when I saw somebody that I knew was famous. Well, famous is subjective because some of my coworkers would rave about certain members that I had never heard of. To me, the most “famous” person that I can remember coming to the club is a Buffalo Bills player. That had not only the coworkers but also the members fangirling.
The members were…nice. It would depend on the person. Sometimes there would be members that would really treat me like I was the help. They wouldn’t speak to me unless it was to direct me to get them something or to give me a certain kind of look. Other members took the time to get to know me. They would ask me about my life and where I went to school. They would remember my name and engage in conversation with me. There was always a “please” and a “thank you” whenever they asked me to do anything.
The kids are a different story. Country club kids are a different breed. They’re living a life that I only dreamed about having as a child. Think High School Musical 2 but from Sharpay’s point of view. These kids had the latest iPhone’s, clothes, everything. They would come in fresh off the golf course at 8am and order breakfast. Shirley Temples for breakfast of course. They were very nice (except for this one kid on the Fourth of July). I’ll never forget him.
A rule at the country club was that members always came first. Everything that the staff did was to make life better for the members. But sometimes that got in the way of our personal lives. One example that I previously mentioned is the Fourth of July. At previous jobs I never had to work during a holiday. That was different for the club. Holidays are meant to be a special time for the members. It’s how they make good, positive memories of the club. I remember my manager saying that to me and my coworkers that day. It was a sweltering hot summer day. The staff had to wear long khaki pants and polo shirts that somehow made you even sweatier.
We were there on a holiday for the members. No day off to spend time with our families and we didn’t even get the next day off either. The members had a wonderful time. Unlimited food and drinks and then a firework show. Meanwhile, me and the staff were rushing around cleaning up, setting and breaking things down. It wasn’t a holiday for us. I can’t imagine how front-line workers feel when they have to work through holidays but I assume it must be exhausting. Exhausting with the knowledge that you would rather be at home with your family but you have a job to do. Whether it’s a job because you need the money or if you’re passionate about what you do it hurts. It hurts to know that everyone else if off enjoying themselves and you’re not.
Overall, it wasn’t the best summer. The benefits of it were weekly pay, a monthly bonus and the chance to meet my amazing coworkers who I grew to care for. I also learned how to be *fancy* like the women there.
And one last thing,
NO TIPS!!