Working in Israel and other things I have been up to...

"Shniya!!" The bartender said to me for the 52nd time that night, and, of course, he shoved his pursed fingers toward my face as he said so.
And thus began my career as a waitress.

I got the job on the recommendation of a friend. A new bar/restaurant opened up this week in the student village where I live and a small flier announced that they were seeking help. No visa, no experience necessary. The catch? Trying to get in touch with the manager.

I spent of most of last week calling the manager constantly. Sunday, I happened to walk by the pub and saw some workers there setting things up. I spoke to the manager, told her my name, my birthday and then scribbled some semi-coherent Hebrew onto a paper detailing my availability, experience and phone number. "Come back at 5." she told me with little other explanation.

That evening, the new staff was assembled, although where they come from or how they knew about this meeting is still unclear to me. We spent the next three hours at the pub learning how to work the espresso machine, and in which direction to point the handle of the mug when we serve a cup of coffee. Such details were helpful, but not at all indicative of the rest of the job. When I finally showed up to work on Wednesday, I still did not not know if I was being paid, how long I was working or what exactly my job would entail.

"Shniya, Cheli"! Wait a minute... and indeed not speaking the language has given me a healthy dose of patience and humility.

I arrived at work at 5, was handed an apron, a tablet for taking orders, and a bottle opener. I met a new book and was assigned four tables. There were 7 waitresses - all female, and 2 bartenders - both male. In order to serve our customers drinks, all orders have to go through the computer - drinks could (theoretically) be picked up at the bar. Meals came out from the kitchen.

I worked 9 1/2 hours, with no break (although I did get to eat some of the delicious food at the start of the night, and of course we all shared a drink or two before going home just before 3 am.)

So what was it like? Well, Hebrew was the least of my problems, and I am ecstatic to say that I am finally conversational - I've spent much of my time this past week with only Israelis and my Hebrew seems to have come together at some time during the past few days. It's a great feeling, and for this reason (in addition to the endless other perks) I am incredibly excited about my new job...

But Wednesday night was utter "balagan." Over 500 people came through and we could hardly move. The bartenders were far behind, and getting a drink to a table took over an hour - if it ever showed up. Customers were leaving on their unfilled tabs and I had to send people to the bar to get drinks on their own. The bartenders (understandably) responded far more quickly to money shoved in their faces then to our drink orders that printed continuously out of the computer. My job would be more aptly described as an ambassador and consumer advocate. I would take cash from new customers and shove it Israeli style into the face of the overwhelmed bartenders . . . hoping to use my limited "gingi" power to get drinks a little more quickly. At one point, the bartenders asked us to stop taking orders all together. (A very awkward and unusual thing to explain to your tables.)

But the customers were amazing... they were understanding, funny and of course more than a little flirty. If I felt overwhelmed, I could go back to my tables, apologize for my lack of follow through on their drink orders, dance with them a bit and leave smiling.

As for tips... that's another story.

For obvious reasons, the 7 waitresses made very very little tips. The bartenders fared far better, but did not tip us out. At 3 am, I was uncapable of arguing in Hebrew, but the other waitresses were as furious as I was. We received only our base salary - no tips at all - in spite of having worked all night in a packed bar. The bartenders went home rich... but the manager was more than a little angry. I am not sure they will keep their jobs for long. As for us, I was happy to have a few shekels cash in my pocket and the experience bonded the waitresses together. Tomorrow, I work again and am looking forward to it. Friends love to come visit, I get free food and drinks, and save the money I would spend otherwise at some other bar!


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In other news, classes are great, and I am so busy that I barely have time to sleep. Last night I went for Indian food in Tel Aviv with some fellow travelers. 70 people from around the world showed up - and we chatted until the restaurant kicked us out around 1 am. Today, I am cooking dolma for Shabbat lunch tomorrow and am eating with friends tonight who I know from my program.

All is wonderful in the land of Israel... at least in the small little bubble in which I float.