What'll you have?

I had a wonderful time this weekend, reading the book Counter Culture: The American Coffee Shop Waitress, by Candacy A. Taylor.

It's a slim but meaty book featuring interviews with waitress "lifers"--waitresses the author sought out who have made working in coffee shops and diners their life's work. In between the interviews the author offers historical and sociological tidbits about the waiting life, including chapters on tricks of the trade, regular customers, and tips. It's also beautifully illustrated, with multiple photographs.*

I enjoyed the interviews and the different women** the author spoke to, particularly as I have a bit of history with the career myself (although I was one of the part-timers just doing the job for cash that these old-timers scoff at as mere flashes in the pan). But I was particularly amused by author's history of how women came to be the staffers of choice for diners during World War II. She cites a 1941 article from The Diner magazine, which lists the reasons why women make superior diner staff:

"1. Women will work for less pay. 2. Women won't stay out late drinking and call in sick the next day. 3. Women belong around food. 4. Women will work harder than men. 5. Women are always happy. 6. Women are more efficient workers. 7. Women are more honest than men--they don't steal. 8. Women can talk and work at the same time. 9. Women clean diners better than men. 10. Women are cleaner than men. 11. The customers like women better. 12. Customers don't swear in front of women." (pg. 18.)

Now, I don't know that I agree with much of that list, but I was charmed by numbers 4,6, and 8. It took me back to my own restaurant days.

This is a great book. Although I'm just glad it was published by someone (in this case, the Cornell University Press), this is the sort of book that should be published by a mainstream trade publisher, and which should become a bestseller. If there were any justice in the world, anyway, that's the way it would be.

*Why aren't all adult nonfiction books illustrated? It would be so much more interesting.

**The frank nature of the interviews reminded me, in the best possible way, of the superlative title The Oxford Project.

Comments

[Venta]

Looking forward to reading this book! What I also love about waitresses is how they are so often portrayed in fiction. I just finished The Diary of a Witness (for middle school readers), and it has a short scene with a sympathetic waitress. I'm trying to think if I ever read a book where the waitress was coldhearted. It's almost stereotypical of the cigarette smoking, hard ass waitress with a heart of gold. Good characterization is the least writers can do for these hardworking people. Also, check out the Waitress Song by Freakwater. Love it.

[Ruthiella]

In the novel "Of Human Bondage", Mildred is a waitress when the protagonist first meets here. She definitely did not have a heart of gold.

[Venta]

Boy! I read Of Human Bondage so long ago, I can't remember the mean waitress. Looks like I have a book to reread. Why can I never remember fiction???

[Laura]

On more of a popular culture note, wasn't Carrie Ann Moss's character in Memento a waitress? Or maybe a barmaid? I recall she was not nice at all!

[Citizen Reader]

Venta,
I love books about waitresses, I don't care if they're nice or cranky. This one reminded me of Debra Ginsberg's memoir "Waiting," about her career as a waitress, and one of my all-time favorite books. Will check out the Freakwater tune.

Ruthiella, Venta,
I didn't remember that about the waitress in OHB either. I remember liking the book, and thinking the main guy character was kind of a jerk, but maybe I've got that wrong. Maybe it's time to re-read.

Laura,
That could be too (re: Carrie Ann Moss being a waitress). Boy, my memory is shot. I saw Memento too but can't remember what her character was. The author in this Counter Culture book actually points out that several of the waitresses she talked to weren't known for being nice at all--but that their customers enjoyed their grouchiness. I wonder how to pull that off.

[Ruthiella]

Hi Venta,

You might consider saving yourself some time and just rent the movie with Bette Davis. The book is considered a "classic", but I found it a bit of a slog. Also in the book, Mildred becomes a prostitute...and yet still, no heart of gold.

[Beth]

I have this book at home right now! I bought it for the library :) I can't wait to get into it. I love books about real people. (And I believe her character worked in a bar in Memento)

[Citizen Reader]

Ooh, Beth, good purchase for your library. I couldn't decide what I liked better--the pictures or the text. They were both so good!

[Beth]

Thanks :) I try my best to buy art and photography books when I can. The library is in a very blue collar area, so I thought this one fit the bill.

[Beth]

read counter culture last night and loved it. the women's stories were amazing! it was interesting to see the similarities and differences in the experiences of the very different women. highly recommended :)