Waitressing and tips in Toronto (school, restaurants, moving to)

[lovecouture]

Hi there,

Being from Vancouver, I am considering moving to Toronto next winter for school, however, I am almost definitely going to need to get a part-time job to survive. I've been out of school for about two years now, and in between I've done mostly office admin type work, data-entry gigs, etc. I hear waitressing pays pretty well for students working at chain restaurants like White Spot or The Keg, so I'm wondering if it's the same in Toronto.

And aside from waitressing, I am looking for suggestions on what sort of work will pay the most for students in general (i.e. people with little to no qualifications).

The reason I've shied away from waitressing for so long despite hearing of all its benefits is because I got the sense that you had to endure a lot of bullcrap like flirting with the customer and generally putting up a false face of sincerity, and sometimes even having to put up with unsolicited sexual advances from unsavory men in order to make those all-important tips! I am female and I don't really have that much confidence in my looks and am not naturally super-outgoing, but I am ready to give it a try now.

I would guess that working at higher end restaurants would mean better tips, but what's required to work at those restaurants? WHERE are they located? Any specific places? Are there any special certificates I should get that may aid me in landing one of these jobs?

Thanks a lot in advance!

[kkgg7]

Welcome to Toronto!
Being a waitress is not an easy job as you mentioned. but fortunately there are way more decent customers than those assh*les you are afraid of. I believe as long as you provide decent service and show your professionalism as a waitress (which BWT does require skills), I am sure you will make good tips. For myself, it wouldn't make a difference what tips to give between a 45 year old fat woman or a 18 super hot blonde as my waitress. What counts is the service, if she has been helpful or not.
To answer your question, I think most high end restaurants are located either in downtown area such on King street, Queen street, Front street, and Yorkville. Yonge street doesn't exactly have many high end one.

[benii]

For me, the service doesn't matter. It is rarely awful, and even if it were excellent...money is money! They get 10-15% regardless! lol