Confessions of a Charlotte Hooters waitress

I’ll admit it, I used to have a lot of pre-conceived notions about the people who work at Hooters. But after hearing the confessions of a local Hooters waitress, I learned that there’s much more to the restaurant than busty girls and chicken wings. Here are her confessions about stuffing bras, jerk customers and special waitress “activities.”

What’s the best part about your job? The worst?

The best is the camaraderie. I don’t just work with random girls, I work with my best friends.

The worst is easy… douche bags. Most customers are great, but every once in a while, you’ll have to serve a straight-up jerk. One time I served a group of guys six beers on six individual tabs (FYI this is SUPER annoying for your server). The last guy owed me $4.94 and handed me a $5 bill and told me to “keep the change.” At that point my blood began to boil and I slammed six pennies down on the table and said, “Here’s your change, Hun.” He responded, “No, that’s for you.” I then picked up those six pennies and threw them at him. Expletives where thrown and my manager was called over, but at the end of the day my manager sided with me.

Tell me about the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you at work.

One weekend our home team’s opponent came in the night before a big game. My coworkers and I decided to take them out on the town and get them WASTED so they would feel like crap for the game the next day. It worked and they lost.

What’s something a lot of people don’t know about working at Hooters?

It’s a great place for a young woman to work.

Not only have I learned how to be a bad ass waitress, but I’ve made enough money to pay for the majority of my tuition. They offer tuition reimbursement, 401k and I’ve been lucky enough to travel to open new stores all over the country. I’ve even had friends open stores in South America, Europe and Asia.

Do you have to have big boobs to get hired?

Nope! I’m rocking a small B on a good day. We have tricks to make it seem as if we all have big boobs.

My go-to is to wear two Very Sexy Victoria Secret push-up bras and then stuff the empty space with socks. It makes me look like I have a solid D.

Is it true that they take a photo of you when you’re hired and if your look strays away from this photo you can be fired?

Yes. We are considered “spokesmodels” not waitress, which is how the company can hold you accountable for your “look.” I’ve only seen them use those photos twice. Once a girl dyed her hair pink (you’re not allowed to make a major change to your hair without manager approval) and she had to dye it back or she would be fired.

Another girl gained a few pounds (who could blame her the chicken strips are DELICIOUS) and she was told she had 30 days to get back to what she looked like in the photo or she would be let go. She worked her butt off in the gym and ended up getting into the best shape of her life. I later asked her how she felt about the whole situation and she said, “I had two choices: let it eat me up or grow from it. I picked the latter.”

How do you deal with people who are disrespectful? Do people ever try to touch you?

I’ve had guys try to put their arm around me or graze my shoulder, but nothing gross or malicious. I did have one creepy old man ask me if the “carpet matched the drapes?” He was quickly thrown out.

Can men be waiters at Hooters?

No. They can be bus boys, hosts, managers and cooks.

Is it true that your uniforms only come in XXS, XS and S?

The uniform sizing is strange. My best friend is tiny, so she wears a XXXS. I have both XXS and XS and I wear different sizes based on how I’m feeling (I’m a size 4). I have had friends rock M and L, but I will say they are still fit girls who have big booties.

Is it weird when kids come into the restaurant?

I never feel weird when families come in because the kids are always so sweet. Sometimes I get a dirty look from a girlfriend or wife, but I don’t let it bother me because I don’t want to have sex with their significant others. That’s one thing to remember ladies… we don’t all want to have sex with your man.

Any other confessions?

One weird thing they push us to do is “activities” like hula hooping, “riding” stools, making balloons, etc. Fun fact: I can pour two pitchers of beer while hula hooping. Definitely a skill that’s going to get me far in life.

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