Although all waitress jobs entail serving customers food or drinks, the atmosphere, uniforms, and job duties differ greatly depending on the type of restaurant or other establishment. Working as a waitress in a diner, for example, may appear to be very different from working in an upscale restaurant. Waitressing jobs in catering can be very different from those in diners and restaurants.
Catering waitresses may work fewer hours than other waitresses, or they may supplement their regular waitressing schedule with catering gigs such as weddings on weekends. Some catering waitresses work in the hospitality industry in hotel dining rooms and live in hotels on a room and board basis. They usually receive a salary as well as room and board.
While hotel waitresses may wear uniforms, catering jobs that serve food at corporate events, weddings, and other events may require each employee to provide their own clothing. Waitresses and waiters who are asked to provide their own work clothes are typically required to wear black shoes, black pants, and a white dress shirt or blouse. Almost all waitress jobs require a uniform or a specific dress code.
Uniforms are usually provided diners, though this is not always the case. Diners have a very different atmosphere and food than hotels and convention centers. In contrast to the fancier fare served in high-end restaurants and hotels, a diner is a casual eating establishment that serves home-style, basic food. Most diners are also small and only open in the mornings, whereas many restaurants are only open in the evenings.
Waitresses in smaller restaurants may be responsible for more than just waiting tables. They have the ability to both set and clear tables. Waitresses also greet and direct customers to their seats in restaurants without a hostess. Because customers help themselves at buffet restaurants, waitresses are not required to carry food to tables. Waitresses in these establishments are responsible for keeping track of food orders and payments, as well as serving drinks.
Cocktail waitress jobs may or may not require serving any food, or the foods served may consist solely of appetizers and light meals. Cocktail waitresses must check for proper identification before serving alcoholic beverages to ensure that bar patrons are of legal drinking age. A cocktail waitress, unlike a diner waitress, usually works only night shifts and, depending on the establishment, may wear a shabuniform.