This post has actually been requested by quite a few people, and I'm more than happy to share the good, the bad, and the ugly about working at Hooters as one of their entertainers. And if you're wondering why we're called entertainers, or Hooter girls, instead of waitresses - it's a clever loophole designed to let us wear our hair down. Bet ya didn't know that one! And I bet next time you're at Hooters you'll be paying attention to how close your server's luscious locks are to your plate of wings.
Mooooooving on..
~Why Hooters?~
~First Impressions / Surprise Interview~
~My First Day at Hooters~
My first day was wicked hot...temperature wise. I spent almost all of my shift filling out and signing this handbook and simultaneously sweating off the makeup that had taken me so much longer than usual. My first week was better as I realized that all of the girls were sweating, nobody looked perfect, and this job can be fun.
~The Fun Stuff~
It's a common stereotype that Hooter girls are either A) stupid, B) catty, C) stuck up, or D) all of the above. That's a ridiculous lie. Like any job, you won't love all your co-workers. I've worked with I'd estimate about 30 different Hooter girls in the year I spent there, and I can only think of three who fell into one of the stereotypes. The rest of my co-workers were nice, and eight of them were even better than that. I hope you guys know who you are because it's your quirky senses of humor, kind support when sections went to s***, loud laughs and louder smiles, awesome dance moves, brutal honesty, and true friendship that makes me look back on my Hooters days with such fondness.
~The Not So Fun Stuff~
One thing I never felt comfortable with when I worked at Hooters, was that only girls who worked 8 hour shifts got a break. I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that restaurant workers are entitled to a 10 minute break for a 5 hour shift. When I was a hostess, I was never given 10 minute breaks and I was told by the other girls not to ask because "that's not how it's done here". Everyone pretty much either snuck food out of their pouches while on the floor, or tried to run to the back room to scarf something without being seen.
A/C:
I can't tell you how many times our air conditioning went out during 100+ degree summer weather. The worst was when it was off during a King's hockey game viewing party we were hosting. The restaurant was packed to capacity, and all of our tables were miserable. I actually ran out to my car and brought back hair bands for one of my tables and told them: "I can't put my hair up and get it off my neck, but you can!" They thanked me with a generous tip.
Speaking of Tips:
If you've been a waiter/waitress, you know the agonizing, infuriating, scream-inducing pain of having two types of inconsiderate tippers. Type 1: the giant party who monopolizes all your time, makes you split checks a hundred different ways, and pays in cash without leaving a tip. Type 2 (which may be more common to Hooters): middle schoolers - usually boys - who either waste your section by just ordering sodas or actually order food and don't tip at all.
Being Understaffed:
I don't know if this happens a lot at other restaurant, but it happened a lot at Hooters during the end of my time there. The absolute worst feeling in the world is not being able to tend to your tables because you literally have too many and can not be in three places at once. Tensions run high, people fight, orders get messed up, etc. etc.
The Girlfriend That Would Rather Be AnyWhere Else:
To these girls I just want to ask, why did you come to Hooters?! You know what are uniforms are. You know we have to be friendly to everyone - your boyfriend included. 99% of the time the boyfriends in question do not even look at their Hooter girl in a flirty manner much less flirt with her and still the girlfriend insists on shooting daggers. Whenever I had couples at my tables I made it a rule to always address the girlfriend first, keep eye contact with her, smile at her, and still she looked at me like an enemy. I'm just doing my job.
~The Inappropriate~
Incident 1) I was training to be a server and a man tried to put my cash tip in my waist band. The girl who was training me told him off and he was asked never to come back.
Incident 2) A customer was arguing with my manager about a coupon that was no longer valid. After making a huge scene he went over to the food window where I was standing with my back to him, wrapped an arm around my waist, and said "It's not your fault honey, you're beautiful",
~The Food~
Traditional hot is always the best flavor of wing sauce IMO ... but don't blame me if I can't stomach the smell after inhaling it for 8 hours straight.
But don't think Hooter girls don't eat. We do. We eat the kids menu grilled cheese, sliders, onion rings, and pretty much anything else the chef will bestow on us with gusto.
~The Takeaway~
I cherish the friendships I made. I laugh about the ridiculous moments I endured. I thank goodness for the money I made too!
If I left out anything you're curious about regarding Hooters or being a Hooter girl, leave me a comment below and if you're still wanting more go check out the article I published on Thought Catalog: "The 5 Most Ridiculous Comments I've Heard Since Becoming a Hooters Girl"
~Bye!~
I realize people have mixed feelings about Hooters, its uniforms, and it's treatment of women. Feel free to voice dissent as long as you do so in an appropriate matter. Demeaning, bullying, or harassing comments will be deleted.