Update: Catering Sucks Too Much

As many of you know, I've been working as a cater-waiter to try to make some extra money and dig myself out of my big heap o' debt.

And as you know, I have hated every minute of it. It's hard work, which involves a lot of running around. And being overly humble to snotty rich a-holes. And missing out on my weekends. And lifting heavy glass racks. Btw, not once did a male coworker step in and say "let me get that for you," when he saw me struggling to carry a heavy box or rack. I'm not old fashioned or anything, but it was plainly obvious that I couldn't lift something so heavy and I needed help!

The only pros to taking these gigs were that I was paid tax free. And usually my check was sent to me promptly.

Other than that, working catering events sort of made me want to die.

So a few weeks ago, I booked an event on April 26th (this past Saturday).

Of course, I forgot all about it until early last week when I got an email reminder and the message, "If you can't make it, that's fine, but please let me know."

I stared at my computer screen. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. "Just tell him you can't do it and you are out. No questions asked. Get on with your life," I said to myself.

Two days later, another email. "I will send you all of the details in the next few days. Again, please let me know if you can't make it."

I sighed. I debated. I clicked out of the email and then back into it a few times.

Finally, on Friday, I got the final SET IN STONE email. A wedding. 8 hours of work. Haul your ass all the way to the Palisades. Keep your hair pulled back and no big earrings. Shine your shoes. Remember to smile and enjoy yourself! Please wear white shirt instead of the regular black shirt.

And it was the white shirt that finally pushed me over the edge. I didn't have the right kind of white dress shirt, which would mean I'd have to go out on my lunch break to buy one. Which meant before this event had even started, I'd be like $20 in the hole.

Now, I began to wonder if it was all worth it.

I did the math in my head.



And so I emailed back and said, "I'm sorry I know I was confirmed to work, but something came up for my regular job."

I clicked send.

I apologized to the universe for lying. (I'm a horrible liar.)

I accepted that I'd never get asked to work another event. But even so, by turning down one, I'd effectively promised myself never to put myself through that hell again.

Then, I took a deep breath. And smiled a huge Grinch-That-Stole-Christmas-Smile to myself.

So I'm sorry to say that although I enjoyed writing about how much catering sucked, I won't have any further stories for you.