Final Thoughts

Also, although I haven't finished yet, I wanted to create a place for our "final thoughts" about Waiter Rant. Maybe a 1-10 rating and likes/dislikes. I'll post my thoughts as I finish. Until then, Spanish test!!

edit: more importantly, what do you think about Steve himself?

As we head toward the end of the book, I want to ask a question that I've had on my mind the last few days: If The Waiter didn't start WaiterRant.com and propel himself out of the restaurant industry through his blog/book, do you think he would still be a waiter? Or would he somehow manage to get out?

This is a tough question. As much as I like The Waiter and am rooting for him, I honestly do not think that he would have another opportunity to "get out." Earlier in the novel, he described how much of a black whole the waiting business is. The "Waiter Highs" that people get after a night of good tips convinces them to spend more and ultimately stay at a low financial level. Even Steve has little self control over his money. After talking to Beth about how stupid it was for her to buy a $300 bottle of vodka (by the way, JESUS CHRIST $300?!), he hypocritically then goes and wastes money at a strip club, something he mentions he did not find enjoyable. It seems tough to leave the industry, and Steve's lack of self control make me think that without the holy passage that WaiterRant became, he would still be taking orders.

He is often talking about the workers in the restaurant and mentions the Hispanic background of many of the workers. He also often mentions how many people at that particular restaurant as well as other restaurants are illegal immigrants. He seems to show real sympathy for the plight of Hispanic illegal immigrants to the US. He says that "most people are indifferent to what happens in the back alleys of affluence." My question is this:

How do you think The Waiter feels about the plight of illegal immigrants and the current immigration controversy?

The narrator's background with the Church and Psychology really gives him an edge working in such a hostile environment, doesn't it? He is not only able to analyze the people that he has to deal with as customers, he is able to see problems and deal with them as manager. For example, when Fluvio keeps getting furious about nonsense, his ability to empathize and psychoanalyze enables him to calm him down and find a practical solution to the problem.

Schedule

Looking forward, we're on track to finish before Christmas break. This is where we want to be from here on:

• Wednesday, December 14 = ~150
• Friday, December 16 = ~200
• Tuesday, December 20 = ~250
• Thursday, December 22 = end (~290)

This means we won't have time to find our next books/groups after we finish the book, so it would be wise to do so before the 22nd. And stuff.

-Ben

I think that part of the books appeal goes beyond the humor and irony and analyses the human condition. The waiter says that eating is directly connected to human life and exposes people's true nature. Part of the story's appeal is that the narrator is in the unique position of being able to see both the best and the worst that mankind has to offer.

I have found the weakpoint.

The weak point of this book: the editing. In about a 20 page span, I have found several small mistakes that should have been caught by an editor. Call me a prick, but this is probably one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to reading. Editors get paid quite a bit, and the job at a publishing firm is competitive, so when I see that many small mistakes it makes me not want to continue reading the book. Petty, I know, but that's just how I feel. Editing aside, the book is still as funny and interesting as it was at the start.