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Get ready to appreciate and celebrate the hardworking individuals who make your dining experience special on National Waiters and Waitresses Day on May 21! This day was created to recognize the tireless efforts of waitstaff in restaurants, cafes, and other food establishments. It's a great opportunity to show your gratitude for their excellent service and friendly smiles. Did you know that the first recorded mention of waiters can be traced back to ancient Rome? Let's raise our glasses (and tips) to these dedicated professionals on their special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Ancient Rome</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Waiters Recorded</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first recorded mention of waiters can be traced back to ancient Rome where they served meals at banquets and gatherings.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1760s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Waitressing Becomes Female-Dominated</div><div class='timeline-text'>The profession of waitressing began to be largely female-dominated, especially in North America and Western Europe.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Waitstaff Unionization Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>Restaurant employees started to unionize, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and job security.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Tipping Practices Scrutinized</div><div class='timeline-text'>The tipping system faced increasing scrutiny and criticism during this period as it often did not provide a stable income for waitstaff.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Movement Towards Fair Wage</div><div class='timeline-text'>There was a noticeable movement towards paying waitstaff a fair wage instead of relying on the tipping system, though it is still not universally adopted.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of National Waiters and Waitresses Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Waiters and Waitresses Day was established to appreciate the hard work, dedication, and service of waitstaff around the United States.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Treat your favorite waiter/waitress to dinner</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your appreciation for your favorite waiter or waitress by taking them out to dinner. They work hard every day, so why not give them a break and treat them to a delicious meal.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Leave a generous tip</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>On National Waiters and Waitresses Day, make sure to leave a generous tip to show your gratitude for their hard work and dedication. You can also write a note on the receipt thanking them for their service.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Bring in treats for the staff</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Surprise the staff at your favorite restaurant with some homemade treats or baked goods. It's a thoughtful gesture that will surely brighten up their day and show them how much you appreciate their hard work.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write a positive review</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to write a positive review for your favorite restaurant and mention the excellent service provided by their waitstaff. This will not only make their day, but it will also help bring in more customers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Send a thank-you card</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to write a heartfelt thank-you card to your favorite waiter or waitress, expressing your gratitude for all that they do. It's a small gesture that will mean a lot to them and show them how much they are appreciated.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They make dining out a great experience</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Waiters and waitresses not only serve food and drinks, but also provide friendly and attentive service to make dining out an enjoyable experience. They play a crucial role in creating a pleasant atmosphere for customers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They work hard and deserve recognition</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Being a waiter or waitress is far from an easy job - it requires long hours on your feet, multitasking, and dealing with difficult customers. National Waiters and Waitresses Day is a chance to show appreciation for their hard work and dedication.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They have great customer service skills</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Waiters and waitresses are trained to provide excellent customer service, which can often be the determining factor for whether a customer has a positive or negative experience at a restaurant. On this day, we celebrate their ability to keep customers happy and satisfied service after service.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Walters Cafe in 1858 Started the Popular "American Style" of Waiting</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before the establishment of Walters, most eateries followed the "French Style" where diners served themselves from a sideboard. Walters revolutionized the industry by introducing waiters who serve food directly to the customers' tables, providing a more personalized experience.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Waitstaff Often Possesses Extensive Knowledge About Food and Wine</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many waiters and waitresses undertake specialized training to learn about different cuisines, wine pairings and dietary restrictions to provide a better dining experience for their patrons.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Waiters and Waitresses Often Multitask in Their Jobs</h3><p class='facts-content'>Aside from taking orders and serving food, they are often responsible for setting tables, handling payments, ensuring cleanliness and even managing minor disputes. This requires excellent multitasking and problem-solving skills.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tipping Originated as a European Aristocrats' Practice</h3><p class='facts-content'>"Tip" stands for "To Insure Promptitude" and was initially practiced by wealthy European aristocrats. It got introduced to America post-Civil war and became a customary practice in the restaurant industry.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many Celebrities Started their Careers as Waitstaff</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before they became famous, several celebrities, including Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, and Chris Rock, worked as waitstaff. This profession is often seen as a stepping stone for aspiring actors and artists due to its flexible schedule.</p></div></div>
National Waiters and Waitresses Day is celebrated on May 21st every year. In 2024 National Waiters and Waitresses Day will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
May 21
Sunday
2024
May 21
Tuesday
2025
May 21
Wednesday
2026
May 21
Thursday
2027
May 21
Friday
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