Stripper--Turned--Waitress Cant Leave Former Job Behind

She stretches in the break room for 30 minutes before each shift. She glides around the dining room like silk wafting on the breeze. She's been known to strip off her shirt and bra to combat the heat in the kitchen.

The newest addition to the Red Robin wait staff, Paula Roche (also known as Mystique and Sable), who spent the past five years dancing at various upscale gentlemen's clubs, is finding that old habits die hard.

"We absolutely love having Paula around," said Red Robin manager, Ted Sunds, who appeared to be having problems adjusting his wedding band. "It is truly a joy to welcome her as the newest addition to our Red Robin family.

"The guests love her, too. She has become, in just a short time, our most requested server by far. We've even set up a private room for her to accommodate all her regulars, who, by the way, tend to be some pretty wealthy and influential people. Who would have thought the mayor would dine regularly at Red Robin? Ha. Take that Chili's.

"And the morale around this place has gone through the roof."

On any given night, Roche waits on as many as 75 guests, and requires the assistance of what amounts to her own personal staff: two bussers, two food/drink runners, a bartender, and her own floor supervisor. And other than the 6' 3", 275-pound Bruno Iafrate-employed by Roche and required to stand by the door to make sure the VIPs remember their dinner etiquette-her entire support team is female.

"I've worked with Sable before," said Envy, one of Roche's runners. "In fact, we worked at The Flashing Chest and Booby Knockers together, and we were working the same shift that night Knockers was shut down because of the new laws. It was kind of a drag, but I can see now that things happen for a reason. This is a nice change of pace, and could really be a profitable gig."

Judging from the rolled up bills safely tucked in her money belt/garter (newly added to her Red Robin uniform thanks to Sunds), Roche & Company are already reaping the rewards. She works four nights a week, coming on the floor at 5 p.m., then again for meal sittings at 6:30 and 8:00, and though exact numbers aren't available, it is estimated that she brings home anywhere from $500-$1000 per night.

"We do okay," said Envy. "Sable is in high demand at this place. It's not like the other places where the competition was cut-throat, and the girls had to quickly establish their territory and guard it from the wolves. Compared to Booby's, these other girls are child's play."

"The male employees love Sable...er, um...Paula," said Sunds. "She seems to have a natural bond with the guys, and they'll do anything for her. But the others-the female servers and bartenders-uh uh...not so much."

Said longtime Red Robin waitress, Bethany Haller, "She's a bitch. Along with all her little groupies. I thought this was a restaurant. What happened to suggestive selling, and hot food first, and all the other Red Robin serving procedures we were trained to follow? She's a prima donna with her own agenda, and she has management wrapped around her g-string. It's disgusting the way they treat her, like she's some kind of celebrity. I've been here six years, and it took me two to get my preferred schedule. She's been here what, a month? It's garbage."

"And she always needs help," said waitress Tanya Stearns, "but if you're say, helping take out her food, you can only go up to the door of the room. You can't go in. It's like this law, and of course there's always CoCo, the talking ape, to make sure.

"She totally talks down to you, like you're this piece-of-crap waitress and she's above you and makes more money...oh, well you know what I mean. It's like we are simply there to help and everybody comes in to see her...oh, um...anyway, the guys don't seem to have a problem with her. She talks the same way to them, and they eat that crap up. And Ted...oh my God, Ted. He is always turning up the heat in the kitchen and freezing out the dining room, and he's constantly messing with the music anytime she comes out on the floor.

"If his wife could only see him."

"First of all," said Sunds defensively, "Paula has single-handedly created a new definition for 'suggestive selling.'

"Two...I am not married," he added, discreetly tucking away his wedding band. "And C...my wife doesn't understand me."

Roche was unavailable for comment. The only way she would grant any type of access, an interview or otherwise, was if a party made a dinner reservation in her section, and the earliest available reservation is for a week from Thursday.

After over 12 years as a waiter and bartender, Dennis Rymarz walked completely away from the business and launched Don't Tip the Waiter, a one-of-a-kind satirical publication that reports fictional news and events from the restaurant industry.

Initially intended specifically for servers and bartenders, the publication is now read by a rapidly growing audience that includes just about anyone who goes out to eat.

Don't Tip the Waiter is distributed free-of-charge to bars and restaurants in the Detroit area, and can be read on line at http://donttipthewaiter.com

---

Helping Mid-Life Employees Find Meaning

People work to live, but most also live to work.... Read More

Stepping Stone Jobs

What we name something matters.It sets a tone that alters... Read More

How to Negotiate The Best Salary and Benefit Packages

Salary and Benefits NegotiationOne of the most difficult aspects of... Read More

Fun At Work Leads to More Success

Common sense at work: Such qualities as loyalty, energy, intelligence... Read More

Resume Writing Tips

Make sure that your resume is up to date with... Read More

Bringing Our Family to Work

Let's face it, most of us consider professional success and... Read More

Formal Business Attire is Making a Comeback

The dot com boom of 1990s brought with it a... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Organizing Your Attack

Looking for work is an energy-devouring ordeal, often leading to... Read More

Can You Tell Me Something About Yourself!

Interview Question, "Tell Me Something About Yourself?""Tell me about yourself"... Read More

Occupational Health and Safety - Stress and Workaholism at Work

There has been a lot of hullabaloo recently about the... Read More

Working as a Knowledge Worker in the Information Age

The old adages: "It's not what you know, but who... Read More

Targeting Your Resume is So Important For Your Career

Targeting your portfolio, (resume and cover letter) can get you... Read More

Rev-Up Your Network!

Whether you are looking for a job, new clients or... Read More

Listening for Interview Success

Yes I know that we usually think of interviews as... Read More

Risk-taking - Get Your Feet Wet!

We often use the phrase, "Get Your Feet Wet" when... Read More

Success at Work: Techniques: Computer Literacy

It's hard to believe that there are people in today's... Read More

How To REALLY Look For A Job

Are you looking for a job -- really looking? Or... Read More

Ready to Move -- Anywhere!

"I have lived in this city all my life. My... Read More

Your Attitude Is Screaming

There is more attitude around than the 'traditional 'positive /... Read More

Do More than Expected to Get Ahead

One of the best things you can do to increase... Read More

Do You Have a Hotsy-Totsy Resume?

I begin this article with a bit of slang description.... Read More

Hospital Staff at Great Risk of Attack and Injury Whilst at Work

There are millions of people working extremely hard every day... Read More

Are You Living Your Career Dreams?

Inherent within the human spirit is a desire for fulfillment,... Read More

How To Start Your Own House Cleaning Business

If you are thinking about starting your own house cleaning... Read More

Successful Job Interview Tips

Congratulations! You've finally landed that job interview you've been waiting... Read More

Should I leave My Job?

Most of us have to work for a living. Since... Read More

4 Niche Job-Search Tips

Looking for a job on the Internet can be daunting.... Read More

Get Beyond Your Tasks

Ever hear the story of the two masons working side... Read More

Culture Shock

Today we hear much talk of the 'global village'. People... Read More

Tips for Building a Successful Career

1. Develop excellent work habits ? for example, meet deadlines... Read More

Telephone Job Interview Preparation Tips

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW BACKGROUNDTelephone interviews are quite common in today's job... Read More

Job Security Is Dead! Are You?

Job security is an out dated concept. The idea is... Read More

Five Fabulous Resume Tips for College Grads (or Anybody)

Fluffy clouds. Chirping birds. Green trees. Colorful flowers. It's springtime!... Read More