Bitter Waitress

Yasemin Kamci

Welcome to the wild world of the service industry!  Where the ice machine is always broken, the walk-in fridge is therapy, and someone will ask for their fifth refill of Diet Pepsi. Join your host, a battle-tested server with years of unforgettable shifts, for weekly 15-minute episodes featuring the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful tales from restaurant life. From guests who were supposed to meet each other but waited at opposite ends of the restaurant… to the table that tried to tip with a “rare” two-dollar bill… every episode proves that you can’t make this stuff up. But here’s the twist: We keep it funny—not mean.  When someone sends back their mashed potatoes for looking “too fluffy,” you don’t have to be rude. The story tells itself. Whether you're a restaurant veteran, a retail survivor, a diner who wonders what really happens behind those kitchen doors, or just someone who loves a good story, pull up a chair. New episodes drop weekly. No substitutions, please. Perfect for: Restaurant workers, food-service survivors, anyone who’s ever wondered why their server is laughing in the kitchen, and people who know customer service is basically extreme sports with aprons. Warning: May cause uncontrollable laughter, sudden respect for service workers, and the urge to tip your server extra.

  1. Episode 12: The Bots Are Coming - AI, Robots & the Future of Restaurant Service

    6 MAR

    Episode 12: The Bots Are Coming - AI, Robots & the Future of Restaurant Service

    In this episode, we're diving into the world of restaurant automation and asking the question everyone in the service industry is thinking: will robots replace us? I share my real experience being served by a robot at a chain restaurant, and spoiler alert, it wasn't great ;)  This little cube-shaped bot rolled up to my table, dropped off my food without cutlery, and couldn't even respond when I needed something. It just... rolled away. Meanwhile, I'm sitting there staring at my food like, "Can someone just bring me a fork?" We talk about the rising trend of robots in restaurants that can carry multiple plates, sing happy birthday in different languages (how dare they), and cost restaurants $800-900 per month to lease. I break down why I think these bots are more novelty than necessity, and what happens when you replace human interaction with a remote-controlled box on wheels. Plus, I make you watch 2001: A Space Odyssey (seriously, watch it!) and discuss what happens when AI goes rogue. We explore whether AI has the emotional intelligence to handle difficult customers, patient enough to deal with complaints, and if technology will ever truly replace the human touch in customer service. In this episode: My awkward encounter with a restaurant robotWhy robots singing happy birthday in Italian isn't as cool as it soundsThe real cost of restaurant automation vs. hiring support staffWhat 2001: A Space Odyssey teaches us about AI (RIP Hal)Can AI handle angry customers with empathy and patience?Perfect for service industry workers worried about automation, tech enthusiasts curious about AI in hospitality, or anyone wondering if their next server will be a singing robot on wheels. Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress! Click on the link to help out the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress Support the show

    13 min
  2. Episode 9: Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD! - Auction Adventures & Fabric Finds with Etsy Reseller Kira Hartley Klinger

    9 FEB

    Episode 9: Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD! - Auction Adventures & Fabric Finds with Etsy Reseller Kira Hartley Klinger

    If you think the restaurant industry has wild characters, wait until you hear what goes down at auctions. In this episode, I'm sitting down with my friend Kira, a vintage fabric reseller on Etsy who has seen it ALL.  From smooth talking auctioneers to the eccentric personalities who show up ready to fight for a deal, Kira's stories will have you laughing, gasping, and wondering why there isn't a reality show about this world already. Kira runs DodOddity on Etsy, where she hunts down and resells incredible vintage fabrics, and she's turned her wildest experiences into not one but TWO books. If you love a good story about hustle, chaos, and the thrill of the find, this conversation is for you. We'll cover: The colorful characters Kira encounters at auctions (and why they rival any restaurant regular)What it's really like building a reselling business from the ground upThe insane things people will do to score a dealHow Kira turned her auction adventures into two published booksThe crossover between service industry grit and reseller hustleWhether you're a server who dreams of a side hustle, a thrift lover, or just someone who appreciates a great story, this episode is a blast. Check out Kira's books on Amazon:  📖 Fabric Wars: Tales of the Hunt for Vintage Fabric with Etsy's DodOddity — https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Wars-Tales-Vintage-DodOddity-ebook/dp/B0CL3JPN9W?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1  📖 Fabric Wars & MORE!: The Insanity of Online Resale Continues with Etsy's DodOddity — https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Wars-MORE-Continues-DodOddity-ebook/dp/B0F844D663?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1 Shop Kira's vintage fabrics on Etsy:  🛍️ DodOddity — https://www.etsy.com/shop/DodOddity Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress! Click on the link to help out the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress) Support the show

    41 min
  3. Episode 8: My Feet Hurt! - The Foundation of Service - Why Your Feet Matter More Than You Think

    13 JAN

    Episode 8: My Feet Hurt! - The Foundation of Service - Why Your Feet Matter More Than You Think

    Ask any server what hurts most after a double shift, sometimes it's their heads from the craziness of the day but generally it's their feet! Your feet are the unsung heroes of the service industry - carrying you through endless hours of standing, pivoting, rushing, and somehow still smiling through the pain. In this episode, I'm talking about the body part that literally keeps us going: our feet. From finding the right footwear that actually holds up to 12-hour shifts, to that one kind table who took one look at me limping and immediately offered sympathy, to the surprising ways restaurant layout and your own body mechanics can make or break your foot health. We'll cover: The shoe brand that this server swears byHow restaurant flow can make or break your feetThat magical moment when a customer actually notices you're human and hurtingThe small adjustments that made a huge difference in my daily pain levelsIf you've ever hobbled to your car after a shift wondering if your feet will ever recover, this episode is for you. Because taking care of your feet isn't vanity - it's survival. Perfect for servers and hospitality workers dealing with chronic foot pain, anyone who works on their feet all day, restaurant managers looking to improve employee wellness, and people curious about the physical toll of service work. Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!  Click on the link to help out the podcast:  https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress  Support the show

    13 min

About

Welcome to the wild world of the service industry!  Where the ice machine is always broken, the walk-in fridge is therapy, and someone will ask for their fifth refill of Diet Pepsi. Join your host, a battle-tested server with years of unforgettable shifts, for weekly 15-minute episodes featuring the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful tales from restaurant life. From guests who were supposed to meet each other but waited at opposite ends of the restaurant… to the table that tried to tip with a “rare” two-dollar bill… every episode proves that you can’t make this stuff up. But here’s the twist: We keep it funny—not mean.  When someone sends back their mashed potatoes for looking “too fluffy,” you don’t have to be rude. The story tells itself. Whether you're a restaurant veteran, a retail survivor, a diner who wonders what really happens behind those kitchen doors, or just someone who loves a good story, pull up a chair. New episodes drop weekly. No substitutions, please. Perfect for: Restaurant workers, food-service survivors, anyone who’s ever wondered why their server is laughing in the kitchen, and people who know customer service is basically extreme sports with aprons. Warning: May cause uncontrollable laughter, sudden respect for service workers, and the urge to tip your server extra.