Lester M. (ThreeCats) reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 18
This wasn't at all what I expected. I was expecting something like Kitchen Confidential. The author accurately reports what it's like to wait tables, but I kept feeling that she did not trust, or like, us, her readers. She would start to let you in ... and then look away, change the subject. But the book is true, and truest of all is that so many of us are waiting - waiting for our "real" lives to start.
Helpful Score: 12
True stories told by a waitress of 20 some plus years. Very fast read (I read it in less than an afternoon), it can get tedious at times with some of the stories. I guess I was expecting more "juice", less long drawn out autobiographical stories unrelated to the topic at-hand. It seemed to flow, but in a rambling sort of way where you find yourself asking, "Is this story over yet? What is the point? Wrap it up!".
Kimberly (EasyForTheEyes) reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I never did waitressing but my Mom did for many years. As I read through this I was reminded of so many of the stories my Mom would share of her days waiting. This book is so true; funny but a sad commentary with how it shows people tend to still have the attitude of "you are serving me and I will treat you how I want." But it also shows the possibility of generosity of spirit.
Helpful Score: 3
This book was actually pretty enjoyable. I've never worked in a restaurant, so it was interesting to really learn about what was going on "behind the scenes". The only thing I didn't like was that she tried to use vocabulary that you don't really see much, which came off to me as her trying to prove to everyone that she is more than just a waitress. Besides that, I thought the book was actually really interesting.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was a very quick read. I thought there would be more stories about her and the customers but it was different. The format wasn't what I expected and I was left wanting to know a lot more about many things that she mentioned.
Helpful Score: 2
A great book about the inner hilarous workings and confessions of a waitress! Anyone who has ever worked in the service field or waited tables has to read this book!
Joan B. (namaste-joan) reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book gives you the inside scoop on what it's like to make your living as a waiter or waitress and how wait staff generally feel about customers. It tells you what wait staff do to increase tips, and how cut throat the business is.
Don't look for a plot because there isn't one, and I could have done with less of the author's own story which seems a bit bizarre at best, and I would have liked more about her suggestions about improving things for wait staff.
Don't look for a plot because there isn't one, and I could have done with less of the author's own story which seems a bit bizarre at best, and I would have liked more about her suggestions about improving things for wait staff.
Bobbie L. (nascargal) reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 352 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book!!! Part memoir, part social comentary, part guide to how to behave when dining out, Debra Ginsberg's book takes readers on her twenty-year journey as a waitress at a soap-operatic Italian restaurant, an exclusive five-star dining club, the dingiest of diners, and more. While chronicling her evolution as a writer, Ginsberg takes a behind-the scenes look at restaurant life-revealing that yes, when pushed, a server will spit in food, and no, that's not really decaf you're getting-and how most people in this business are in a constant state of waiting to do something else.
Marna C. (feritgrrl) -
Helpful Score: 1
Engaging and eminently readable! I devoured this book(pun intended). I recommend it highly for anyone who has ever worked in the food industry or eaten at a restaurant. A bit less hard-bitten than Anthony Bourdain's memoir, but full of the "dish" on what is happening below the surface on any given night (or day) in your favorite eating establishment. Ginsberg funnels the information through her personal experiences giving the book the feel of a warm, personal confidence between friends.
Helpful Score: 1
Being a waitress for some time myself, I could totally relate to this book! I think it's a walk down memory lane for those who've been in the business, and an eye opener for those who haven't.
Helpful Score: 1
Entertaining look at what goes on behind the scenes in restaurants. Ginsberg delves into the psychology of waiting and what motivates servers (the now politically correct terminology). Along the way we are introduced to the many characters that have peopled her life.
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting perspective from a waitress point of view. Quick read!!
Helpful Score: 1
If you have ever waited tables, this will bring back all of those memories, good and bad alike.
Helpful Score: 1
I had a hard time getting into this book, but I have a friend who loved it!
Paula D. (eddiandizosmom) reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 134 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It was ok. More of a study of waitressing and the people who do it than a novel though. I guess I was expecting a more concrete story line than I got from this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Pretty good, but Kitchen Confidential was better.
Helpful Score: 1
Funny book, especially if you've ever been a food server. She tells it like it is
Helpful Score: 1
Very interested look into the world of waiting. The author doesn't just provide anecdotes and stories, but gives a real sociological perspective into the profession. This book is for people who wait tables AND people who are waited on.
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Helpful Score: 1
Fast paced, very good read!
I have never been a waitress but enjoy eating out frequently. Book was great. Had trouble putting it down.
Quick read - well written
An engaging and well-written memoir about what it's like to be a waitress. She has worked in many different types of restaurants on both coasts. I throughly enjoyed this book. If you're at all curious about what it's like to be a waitress, I highly recommend this book.
It was ok,but not to the point to where I could not put it down.
Waiting was, for the most part, a quick, engaging read. Ginsberg is a street-smart cookie, with a strong sense of self and without a trace of self-pity. I felt her editors could have done a better job- the anecdote interrupted by a trip down memory lane was way overdone, and there was some repetition that bored me. So, bottom line, it was interesting enough to finish, but not compelling enough for a wholehearted recommendation.
Having worked as a dishwasher, I believe most of what she has written without question. The cooks (I never worked anywhere that had actual "chefs") had attitude for sure. Two waitresses feuding? Get OUT of the line-of-fire ASAP! I wish she'd addressed my pet peeve of servers who say "I have (a special chianti, prime filet mignon, etc.) tonight ..." It's "we" not "I" but anyway ... I recommend this one. It's as entertaining, and informative, as others have posted. The earring trick was neat to know.
Very interesting learning the inner workings of restaurants. And also learning more about the author. This is the second book of hers that I have read.
Anyone who has worked as a waitress can truly identify with the main person in this book alot of funny restraunt stories but also a reminder of the hard work and thankless work waitressing can be.!!!
Both enlightening and insightful! Recommended to everyone who has ever worked in the food industry.
For anyone who's waitressed or worked a blue collar job this book helps you realize you are not alone.
This book was a very fun read! Quick and quirky it takes you right into Debra Ginsberg's live as a waitress and brings a new respect for food service workers!
Fun read! Especially for anyone that has ever waited on tables!
This is a great book for anyone, those of us who have waited tables, or those of us who are waited on. The author gives a real inside look at the world of table service.
Dawnann (freeverse) - , reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 49 more book reviews
Anyone who has ever waited tables could/can relate to this book. Quoting from backcover
" Funny an satisfying. Lively look into restaurants."
" Funny an satisfying. Lively look into restaurants."
Part memoir, part social commentary, part guide to how to behave when dining out, Debra Ginsberg's book takes readers on her twenty-year long journey as a waitress at a soap-operatic Italian restaurant, and exclusive five-star dining club, the dingiest of diners, and more. While chronicling her evolution as a writer, Ginsberg takes a behind-the-scenes look at restaurant life - revealing that yes, when pushed a server will spit in food, and, no, that's not really decaf you're getting - and how most people in this business are in constant state of waiting to do something else.
Theresa L. (absolutahnie) reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 11 more book reviews
for those who enjoy dining out a glimpse at what
it's like to be a server...
it's like to be a server...
A quick, easy read that I enjoyed since I've waitressed in the past. It will give you a good idea of what goes on behind some of the scenes in the food industry, but don't be surprised if you get grossed out once in awhile. Ginsberg does a good job of writing and keeping the story moving along.
I could not get into this book. I know others who have loved it though.
Anne R. (writingreader) reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 34 more book reviews
great read
Barbara S. (barbelaine1) reviewed Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress on + 47 more book reviews
Entertaining biography, but not as "gritty" about the inner workings of restaurants as I would have liked.
INTERESTIN READ.
I purchased this book for my daughter, she has just finished it.
