Jeff Hajny

    Who would've thought that I could learn so much from being a waiter?
     In May 2006, I got a job working at the York Applebee's. At the time, it was a summer job and I didn't give it too much thought. Never did I think that being a server and an "Applebuddy" would teach me so much and could be so enjoyable.
     I had spent summers before that one working at a seed corn plant along with a few construction and landscaping jobs. I worked on a trash truck for two summers as well. They were all good jobs, but I didn't really like any of them. Being a server at Applebee's became the first job that I truly looked forward to going to during the day.
     I think it was because I enjoyed the company of everyone I worked with there. There were already a bunch of my buddies from college who worked there so from the start, so I didn't feel out of place.
     I'll never forget my first day of serving. It was Mother's Day 2006. I have never been a part of anything so brutal in all my life. I was stressing out about the stupidest things and was starting to get really overwhelmed because the restaurant was so busy. A number of the other servers helped me out a lot that day, for which I'm really thankful.
     There was another day when the restaurant was very full and I had it in my head that I had to please everyone at once. I was getting irritable and one of the other servers took me aside and told me, "Just remember, people can wait." That was some of the best advice I've ever received.
     That advice didn't only help me with serving, but also in life. You can't please everyone and that's just the way it is.
     Over time, I became more relaxed not only as a server, but as a person. I learned how to read certain people at certain times of the day and how to pace myself when things would get hectic.
     While working as a server, I learned how to take life as it comes. There were some customers I served that were great and a blast to feed, and there were some that I couldn't please no matter what. With every good, there has to be some bad. Things have to balance.
     I made some of the best friends I've ever had working at Applebee's. There was never a dull moment when it came to some of the servers, cooks, bartenders, managers, hosts and dishwashers I worked with. We all understood our purpose and worked together to make sure a room full of people would "enjoy their 45-minute vacation while dining."
     I started working for this newspaper in June 2007. During that summer, I worked at the Independent during the week days and weekends at Applebee's. Once the school year and sports seasons started, I had to hang up the serving shoes to focus on being a reporter.
     I still stay in touch with a lot of people I worked with at good old 'Bee's. I try to come by and eat there every once in a while. Every time I go there, it puts a smile on my face and brings back a lot of memories.
     I'm having the time of my life working for this newspaper. I'm happier than I've ever been and feel like I'm living the dream right now, but the York Applebee's will always have a special place in my heart.
     It was the first job I had that I actually enjoyed doing. I never thought that waiting tables could shape me as a person so much, but it has.
     So to the York Applebee's, I'd like to say thanks for everything. If it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't be who I am today.Enclosing, I'd just like to sayApplebee's is fun, it's true!