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In many restaurants, the "waiter/waitress" usually introduces him or herself by saying "Hi, my name is Mary and I'll be your server tonight." That might be one of the reasons why the term is used.
Waiter or Waitress is an old term born from the old resturant where the staff would wait till needed or signaled. Just recall some of the older movies during a restuarant scene where you signal and a waiter pops into the scene. some places in Mexico still do this type of service from the last time I was there. You have a waiter that just handless a very few tables as compaired to today where a waiter/waitress/server might have several tables to tend to not leaving the time to a"wait" upon the leasure of the diner.
Personally I just think it is a matter of personal preference. I have heard people in the entertainment profession call themselves an Actor no matter if they are male or female. Some businesses use the term guest instead of customer, it all a play on words in todays society.
As our wonderful Charley previously stated that a wait-person may introduce themselves as 'your server' which I believe is currect as would be "I am your waiter/waitress today". it is all a matter of preference overall. I use all terms including wait-staff.
Last edited by Kerowyn; 05-20-2009 at 08:19 AM..
Reason: had more thoughts to add. :)
It's all about gender specifics. Rather than have two words for one occupation, the only variable being gender, server came into being as a non gender specific term to refer to all people in this occupation. No doubt, there have been too many meetings or discussions where someone said *waitresses* only to be corrected by someone pointing out that not all the employees were women. Same reason we have the ridiculous term *chairperson.* Once upon a time, women didn't care that some of the chairmen of boards were women. Unfortunately, in our society, the solitary squeaky wheel is the one that gets lubricated and that's why they are *unisex* with the term servers. Somehow, it is better than *waitperson.*
I just find it easier to use "server" when I'm talking in general terms. If I'm talking about a specific person, I will use waiter or waitress - ex "our waitress was very nice". But if I'm talking in more general terms where I want to include all servers of all genders, it's just quicker and easier to say "servers" rather than "waiters and waitresses".
I don't think it's silly and I'm not sure why you think using the word "server" is not speaking English, it's certainly an English word and I'm sure you'll find it in the dictionary.
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What about store Associates?
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previously stated that a wait-person may introduce themselves as 'your server' which I believe is currect as would be "I am your waiter/waitress today". it is all a matter of preference overall. I use all terms including wait-staff.
