someone recently told me an anecdote about how they tried to do restaurant service work once, but the first time they tried to pick up a tray of drinks, they dropped everything… and i’m just here to remind everyone that the reason servers don’t drop drinks everywhere is because it’s skilled labor.

I could never do that.

exactly. most people wouldn't last an hour waiting tables

There's no such thing as unskilled labor. Every form of labor can be done at varying levels of competency based on the person's experience doing it. Thus, all labor is skilled. I can't even think of any examples that this doesn't apply to.

I worked banquet service for years but never mastered the 4 plate carry.

Also skilled labor: landscaping and tree service. Fish and meat processing. Caring for the old and the young. Housecleaning. Basically anything dangerous, arduous, dirty or monotonous needs extra attention and skill, and should be paid commensurately, and would if not for exploitation.

I enjoy watching Undercover Boss, seeing all the execs fumble the tasks assigned to their employees and realizing that it's hard work that takes skill.

I can barely carry my own full cup of tea across the room without spilling it; I have always known I was not cut out for restaurant service.

back in my day, the last training day for a new server was with me as a food runner. I'd show them all how to carry multiple plates. I'd start them off with 3 by the end of the shift they could do 4. Then show them where they'll get to with practice. I could do 7 without any plate touching any food.

A one-handed overhead press of a 30lb oblong full of entrees to get through that crowd is a thing of beauty. More so when the server is petite. Seen it many times.

You know how many countries have a required year of military service? I think we need a required year of service sector service. Being screamed at a drive through window can get that empathy going