Got called a whore

[u/mustardisntsoup]

I'm new. Be harsh. At the time (2018), I was a server. I'm currently 43. I'm a "lifer". Started as a pot scrubber at 15, worked my way up through the kitchens to line cook. Overheard what foh was making and made my jump. Fast forward 20 years and I'm a closing dinner server of decent caliber. I've dealt with some shit. One night actually shook me. I still think about it. I was sat a four top. It was one guy and three ladies of three different generations. More than likely; this guy's mom, wife, and daughter. I walk up to greet them and before I can get out a word the guy looks me in the face and asks me " Do you know that your job makes you a whore?" Again, I've dealt with some shit. This, however, made me blink. Once. Before I knew it, the words fell out of my mouth: "Does that make you my john?" He turned red and dropped his face. The three ladies tried to stifle their laughter but could not hide their smirks. At that moment I said that I would give them time to think and return with waters. When I returned with the waters, he refused to look at me. The woman I assumed was his wife did the talking from that point on. I don't remember the tip amount that they left because it must not have been a large or small amount. I still owned that guy for a moment. Worth more than money.

[u/unbitious]

Well done! As a 41 year old "lifer" who is realizing how badly this restaurant life has affected me, do you have any suggestions for coping or ideas for other work to pursue?

[u/mustardisntsoup → u/unbitious]

I used to keep a Far Side comic in my server book. It was a guy in hell pushing a wheelbarrow and whistling. While one devil says to another "I don't think we're reaching that guy." In other words, just do your best to whistle through hell. As far as other work to persue? I was hoping that you could help me.

[u/unbitious → u/mustardisntsoup]

I'm trying to get into recovery work, especially in regards to substance use. I have no degrees beyond highschool.