Dating Is Hard. Dating a Restaurant Worker Is Harder, but Damn, Is It Worthwhile—Here’s Why
Many of you working in the restaurant industry are likely dating someone who doesn’t work in a restaurant or a bar. This article is meant for your significant others as a handy guide for their care and feeding. So, if you’re dating someone who lives the office life, forward this along—hopefully, it’ll help smooth any rough edges off your relationship.
As if dating wasn’t hard enough, dating someone who works in restaurants is a force multiplier for relationship drama. Schedules are skewed, social circles are stretched, and expectations often sit on the opposite sides of ever-widening deltas. But despite all the troubles (or maybe because of them), there’s nothing better than dating a restaurant worker.
Here Are Just a Few of the Perks of Dating a Restaurant Worker:
You’ll eat better.
It’s pretty obvious that restaurant workers know all about food. FOH and BOH have built careers on knowing where to find the best of the best. They’ll know which stall at the farmer’s market to buy strawberries at, where to get the best fried chicken, and which bar slings out the most satisfying burgers at 1:00 a.m. Don’t get me started on their dinner party contributions, either.
You’ll drink better.
Be it cocktails, beer, or wine, your partner will again be in the know. And if they suggest something weird, be GGG and just trust them. Everyone’s a little uncomfortable when they first try Fernet, but it’s worth it. After a while you might even find you like it.
They have cool friends.
When you’re with someone in the industry, you get points for merely being “industry-adjacent.” Their friends will treat you like one of their own. If they get a round of Fireball and Rumplemintz shots, they’ll include you just like you worked a shift.
You’ll listen to better music.
Industry workers are just more plugged in—it’s a fact. You’ll start by listening to Drake, and soon enough, you’ll be on to Jamila Woods, Angel Olsen, and James Blake. If you get invited to the busser’s DJ night, you need to go. Don’t question it.
You’ll be a better customer.
Nothing makes you a better person than being better to other people. Start dating someone from the Industry, and you’ll tip better, ask more informed questions about food and drink, and generally be humbler when you go out to eat and drink. This has the follow-on effect you’ll quickly notice: you’ll get better service.
So if you’re considering dating that awesome person you met through friends or at some otherwise boring work party, and you learn they’re a server or a cook – go for it. You’ll thank yourself later.