Why Working in Hospitality Is the Best Job in the World
Every day when Kitty wakes up, she looks forward to going to work. And no, she’s not exaggerating. Kitty: ‘For me, working in hospitality isn’t just a job: it’s a lifestyle. It’s the perfect mix of people, energy, creativity and, of course, delicious food and drinks. There’s no other profession where I feel so at home and that gives me so much satisfaction. For almost 20 years now.’
‘Like so many people who work in hospitality, I started as a student. A part-time job alongside my studies soon turned into a full-time job alongside a little studying. This was so much more fun than studying! I immediately felt at home in the café-restaurant where I worked. A huge difference from the university of applied sciences, where I felt completely lost. I missed the interaction with other students, the buzz, the creativity. And here, I found all of that. The decision to quit studying was made quickly. I was going to take a gap year, but I never went back. People sometimes find it strange that I still work in hospitality. They don’t see it as a serious job. “You’re almost forty, isn’t it time for a real job?” I no longer defend myself. I know better: for me, there is no better job than working in hospitality.
No Two Days Are the Same
What I love most about working in hospitality is the constant interaction with people. I’m a social butterfly, and being around people gives me energy. No two days are the same; you never know who will walk in: a couple celebrating their engagement, people on their first date—yes, you can spot them right away—a tourist trying herring for the first time, or a group of friends going out together. The feeling that I can make their day or evening a little better is something that motivates me every day. And I’m rewarded for it. Not only by my employer, but by customers themselves too. Recently, a customer gave me a lottery ticket as a tip. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a lucky number, but I still thought it was great fun. And of course, there are lots of regular customers. I even see some of them every day, and at a certain point you become part of each other’s lives. Recently, I was proudly introduced to someone’s first boyfriend. I knew him when he was still a baby! I think that’s very special.
Adrenaline
For me, working in hospitality feels like being part of a big family. Not only with the regular customers, but certainly with the team as well. We work hard, but we also laugh a lot together. We know we can rely on one another, especially during busy evenings when the restaurant is full and the orders keep coming in. The adrenaline flowing through your body when you’re in the rush, the orders go perfectly and you see the smile on a satisfied customer’s face… that feeling is priceless, and after all these years I still feel it, no matter how experienced I am.
I’ve loved being creative from a young age, and I can express that in my work too. Whether I’m helping out in the kitchen or working front of house, there’s always room to experiment, try out new dishes or add a personal touch to the service. I love making suggestions to customers and helping them choose a dish or wine they might not otherwise try. It’s wonderful to see people discover something new and enjoy it. And if my suggestion turns out not to be to their taste, which can of course always happen, I enjoy searching for a solution until people still leave with a smile on their face.
Delicious Coffee Every Day
And let’s be honest: working in hospitality means you’re always surrounded by delicious food and drinks. Who wouldn’t appreciate that? It’s a job where you don’t just make other people happy—you enjoy it yourself too. Delicious coffee every day, eating together in a cozy atmosphere every day, which is extra fun for me because I’m single, and every day the feeling of being surrounded by people who share the same passion. And the very best part: the post-work get-together. That’s where we discuss the day and often have loads of fun sharing stories about crazy customers and blunders we’ve made ourselves. Especially at the weekend, we often hang around together for a while longer.
Long Hours
Yes, just like any other job, working in hospitality also has less enjoyable sides. The long hours, tired feet and legs, and sometimes demanding or downright annoying customers. And in recent years, I’ve also had more colleagues from abroad. Young people from Spain and Italy whose English often isn’t very good. Training someone properly then takes more time, and some customers find it annoying that not everyone speaks Dutch to them. But all of that pales in comparison with all the enjoyable things. Besides, when you do something you love, the less enjoyable aspects feel less burdensome. They’re part of the bigger picture, and the idea of not having tired feet and legs because I sit in an office chair all day—I go crazy just thinking about it.
So, for anyone wondering whether working in hospitality is for them: if you love people, get energy from a busy environment, aren’t put off by long and sometimes irregular working hours, and enjoy delicious food and drinks, then this is without a doubt the best job in the world!
Also read:
Kitty’s name has been changed for privacy reasons. Her real name is known to the editorial team. Would you also like to share a personal story (anonymously!)? You can email us at info@favorflav.com
