Waiting - Softcover

In rather lightweight, Studs Terkelesque fashion, Henderson reveals the world of waiting tables to the waited upon. He divides his treatment into broad chapters topically titled "Dating," "Taxes," "Tipping," "Holidays," "Health and Safety," etc. A waiter himself, Henderson introduces each topic with a few paragraphs and fills the remainder of the chapter with quotes and anecdotes about its topic from other waiters and waitresses. As the same people are quoted in every chapter, we get to know individual styles and perspectives quickly, which adds to the book's fun. Overall, the tone underlying most of the comments suggests that the servers are fed up with the customers. Some of the anecdotes amuse, but by book's end, the whining about tips and the pet peeves get annoying. While, unlike Terkel's Working, Waiting is no great landmark of sociological literature, it does serve up some humorous enlightment for us diners, some useful primary source material for those considering entering the food service industry. Charles Harmon