Movie Theater vs. Washing Dishes

matthias00

Okay, so a while back I asked my friend to hook me up with a job at this fancy restaurant in a nearby town because he was working there and I figured "Hey I can work my way up from washing dishes to being a waiter and get sweet tips!" I also thought that it would be cool to be able to work with one of my friends.

The thing is that today he told me that I have an interview with them... tomorrow. And the reason why is because he just quit and they need someone to replace him.

I currently work at the local movie theater in my town, cleaning theaters and doing concessions. It's pretty easy work, but I'm getting paid minimum wage with no real way to get better pay. Also I really hate doing concessions and they really love putting me on for it (that's actually all I am doing this week). Apparently after working at the restaurant for a while you get a set schedule too, which is something I would really enjoy compared to right now where I can't even really plan out my schedule all that reliably due to work being completely random.

So I'm torn now, between sticking with the job I currently have because it is most likely easier and definitely closer to home (aka less gas money), and trying my hand at this restaurant business because I will have an avenue to better pay (through tips) after a while and a set schedule.

What do you guys think? I'm really new to this job thing myself, maybe the voice of experience could help me out here.

P.S. yeah I am pretty much assured the job if I go to the interview and accept it. I have work experience, a food handler's card in hand, and multiple connections to the owner of the restaurant. I'm also pretty awesome when it comes to selling myself to someone. So that's why I'm already kind of assuming that this job is an option for me...

Thanatos

How much does the restaurant pay? Also minimum wage? When you start getting tips, do they cut your pay to make up for that? How much more in gas per week will it be costing you?

matthias00

According to Google Maps, I currently drive around 2 miles to get to the theater, whereas with the restaurant I would be driving around 13 miles.

I asked my friend and he said he never actually asked how much starting pay is. I'm just assuming minimum wage here because I would just be washing dishes.

I also assume that they would cut my pay when I start getting tips too, but honestly I'm not too worried about that. It's the kind of restaurant where the very least expensive thing you can buy is like $20. So tips will be quite healthy and will more than make up for any pay cut.

Munkus Beaver

I worked at a place for over a year as the best damn busboy they had and I didn't get a single promotion or raise. So keep in mind your likelyhood of becoming a waiter anytime soon is slim.

You can climb your way up from dishwasher, but that's only if you stay there for at least a couple years. And washing dishes in most every place is going to be disgusting as hell and involve a lot of hard work.

LondonBridge

Munkus Beaver wrote: »

You can climb your way up from dishwasher, but that's only if you stay there for at least a couple years. And washing dishes in most every place is going to be disgusting as hell and involve a lot of hard work.

Seconded, I don't recommend it plus the extra commute means more time & gas.

Slagmire

I worked in a theater for several years in my young life; I am definitely with you on the hatred of working the concession stand. Despite that though, I loved the fact that I could get free tickets practically whenever I wanted. Free movies is nice, but it's nothing compared to more money. I would ask how long it would typically take for you to move up from dishwasher - if it seems too long, it may not be the way to go for you.

Samuel

I would absolutely advise against being a potwasher.

Part of my current job involves washing dishes, and it can get pretty bad even though it's only at a tiny café. But at a big restaurant? I once spent a couple weekends washing up at this big pub/carvery, and it was the worst job I have ever had. Absolutely disgusting conditions, intense physical labour if the place is busy, and let's not forget the fact it's pretty demeaning and the other staff will often treat you like garbage. I still have nightmares about giant fucking pots encrusted with gravy.

Only plus side is, you know that giant pile of dirty dishes you haven't bothered doing for a week at home? Yeah, after the amount of practice you get at work, that'll start taking you like, 2-3 minutes to do.


If you go for it, invest in rubber gloves. I cannot stress this enough.

Sentry

I used to wash dishes at Boston Market... seriously disgusting stuff.

I would ask during your interview what the standard length of time for advancement is... if you're feeling brave you could ask them to put it in writing (you'll have to sign a contract anyway, may as well see if they will throw that on there).

Additionally, when they offer you the job you can go back to your current supervisor and let them know you have a job offer, mention your time there as an exemplory employee, then ask if you should take the other job or see if there is room to negotiate your current salary/responsibility. But, don't ever threaten to quit unless you mean it.

Ant000

Worst job I ever had was a dish washing gig at a pretty fancy seafood restaurant -- huge crusty cast iron pots and shit. It was really hard too, and the pay was shit, and the cooks were assholes hah. I'd much rather work at a movie theater .

Graydeath

I would ask your friend how high the turnover rate for employees is. I know when I started as a dishwasher at a restaurant it wasn't more than 6 months before I was able to start cooking because people were fired/quitting on a pretty regular basis.

witch_ie

When you go for your interview, make sure you ask how much the pay is and if there's any opportunity for advancement to waiter or anything else. Remember, interviews aren't just about them finding out if they want you, but also you finding out if you want them.

Incidentally, one of my good friends worked in a theatre for several years, from concessions to assistant manager. Even with the promotion, her schedule was pretty bad. When she finally went to work elsewhere with a more regular schedule it made a huge positive difference in her life.

Rankenphile

Dude, voice of experience here.

Dishpits fucking suck ass, you're going to get stiffed on your share of the tips, and the likelyhood of you ever moving into any other position there is slim unless you feel like fucking your boss.

Whereas a movie theater is relatively clean (sure you might laugh now, but you haven't worked a dishpit), you get to watch free movies and it is a lax fucking job.

If you're set on going for the interview, make sure you're starting off at more money than you're making. And not like twenty-five cents an hour, at least a buck or so. Make sure you get a share of the tips and let them know that you really do want to advance to busing tables or waiting, because you do not want to wind up being stuck in the dishpit.

matthias00

Yeah so the interview basically went down to "Okay so we will let you try it out for a couple days and see if you want to keep on doing this".

So.

I guess that's what I'll do.

But from the sounds of it I might end up sticking with my theater job.

Millow

This is all from experience as a dishwasher.

Dishwashers, at least around here anyway (Toronto) will get paid at least $9 an hour, usually $10. So a couple bucks more then what you'd make at a minimum wage shitty retail job. It's a pretty dirty job, but you get used to it.

Moving up to busboy is unlikely. In my experience, restaurants are totally divided (the staff that is) between the kitchen and the front of house. If you're not a retard and they like you, you'd probably get a chance to move up to prep, which is better because its cleaner, not as stressfull and a buck or two more an hour.