Dishing It Out: Power and Resistance Among Waitresses in a New Jersey Restaurant (Women In The Political Economy) [Paperback]

Greta Paules (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 1991 | Series: Women In The Political Economy

This study challenges the uncritical equation of advancement with success. As a participant observer at a family-style restaurant in New Jersey, Greta Paules reveals the strategies that experienced waitresses employ to improve their own positions rather than aspiring toward management. Through the voices of some aggressive, determined, tough, and resilient women, Paules confronts stereotypical characterizations of waitresses. Paules finds that certain unique features of the restaurant industry the tipping system, chaotic work environment, chronic shortages of labor and supplies, and the manager's role as a fill-in man allow waitresses to manipulate their work environment to protect their own interests. The downgrading of the managerial role in this restaurant has rendered advancement meaningless. Knowing that the 'help wanted' sign is permanently posted, the waitresses refuse to submit to management's dictates, to 'take junk' from rude or hostile customers, or to internalize the negative self-image usually associated with waitressing. The colorful and often amusing comments by the women Paules interviewed indicate that they have developed an arsenal of subtle but undeniably effective tactics to combat the exploitive elements of the job, to maximize tips, and to secure the boss' attention to their needs. Greta Foff Paules is a cultural anthropologist who holds a doctorate from Princeton University.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[P]rovides a vivid picture of the bustle and banter of restaurant life from the waitresses' point of view.... Paules highlights the freedom of interpretation that allows workers to resist potentially demeaning aspects of their jobs."
—American Journal of Sociology

From the Publisher

Challenges the uncritical equation of advancement with success --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (October 10, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877228884
• ISBN-13: 978-0877228882
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,403,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dishing Out the Goods, April 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dishing It Out (Women In The Political Economy) (Hardcover)

The book, which I read for a feminism class, actually turned out to be one that I liked. The book focuses on a small, truck-stop restaurant called Route. The book tells stories of women's work in the restaurant and everyday problems that they face.

Most people never realize some things about waitresses if they've never been one. For example, waitresses' minimum wage is about 3 dollars less than that of normal jobs. They are expected to make up the difference in tips. After reading material such as this, sympathy for waitresses will go out even more. These are the same people that have to put up with rude and picky customers.

Managers seem to have it almost worse. Although, managers are usually thought of as having a higher and better position, this is very untrue in the restaurant business. Managers get minimum wage, but no tips, sometimes making less than the waiters. And because the turn-over rate is so high for managers, they've often work fewer time than the waitresses, which makes them seem as less of an authoritative figure. And, the manager has to deal with personnel problems and fill in for anyone who doesn't show up for work, or who quits on the spot. It's actually much tougher than one would think.

The books tells of how much waitresses put up with and the low wages that the make. I would recommend this book, if just for that fact that it opens up people's eyes to the fact that waitresses really do depend on tips - so don't stiff them. It's also a wonderful book to read just for enjoyment because it keeps your attention with different stories and interviews of several ladies, so in that sense, it's almost more of a story than a boring book of research.