Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, Fast-paced, & Enlightening
Review: "Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress" is a highly entertaining, fast-paced book about Debra Ginsberg's real-life experiences as a food server. She tells wonderful heartfelt stories about waiting tables in places ranging from a dining room/country club environment, to a cocktail lounge setting, to a upscale Italian eatery while keeping me laughing out loud and cringing simultaneously. I never thought that working as a waitress was an easy job (I've never actually done it) but after reading this book I can say for sure that it's definitely not a field I'll be tackling any time soon.Ginsberg delves even deeper than just your run-of-the-mill waitressing antics (E.G.: hair in soup, rude customers, bad tips, etc.) She actually takes a look at waitressing from a sociological perspective and she does so with both intelligence and charm. For Ginsberg, waiting tables was a career, one which she struggled with because she constantly felt like she should "do something with her life" and "get a real job." So she did. But the money from waitressing was just too good. Her tips were essential in the raising of her son as a single parent. And waitressing also allowed her to spend quality time with her son when her "real job" kept them apart more than both of them were comfortable. I was proud of her for coming to that realization and going back to waitressing after giving the real job a shot. Unfortunately, there is such a negative stigma attached to waiting tables while it really shouldn't be anything to be ashamed of. The physical and psychological aspects of the job are grueling and make for a tough job even in the best of conditions. I applaud anyone who can work like that at night and then manage to wake up, raise a child and stay focused on writing the next day. That sounds like three full-time jobs to me and I personally couldn't wing it. Three cheers for Debra! I eagerly await her next book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Delightful Read!
Review: "Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress" by Debra Ginsberg is a real treat. You're lucky enough to get inside the head of a wonderfully funny and creative woman. Her writings of life as a waitress are a real departure for a "fiction" reader like myself, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was laugh out loud funny and so easy to identify with. I mean, we all visit restaurants and, probably have worked in food service at one point or another. I think it's a situation that many people can see themselves in. A great book, with a funny and witty take on life. I think you'll enjoy it!
Rating: 
Summary: An Insult to the Industry
Review: I stopped reading the book when the subject of tipping came about and Mrs. Debra's started her litany about the fact that 100% of any received tip should go integrally to her pocket. When we in Europe go to Restaurants, it is the complete experience that interests us, the atmosphere, the food served, the reputation of the restaurant. Waiters should be invisible and are part of that experience. If and when we tip, the tip is for all of those who contributed to the experience. Everytime I am in America, I am frustrated by waiters asking how I am doing and comment on my tie. I thought the book was going to give me an insight of a certain part of the industry. It does not achieve that goal unfortunately.
Rating:
Summary: Congratulations, Ms Ginsberg
Review: ...you've written a delightful tale of what its like to earn a living in a job that everyone has encountered as a customer many times but probably never knew the pitfalls therein. Thanks for reminding readers that waiters are there to support themselves while helping customers to have a better day & enjoy a meal - and if they get a charge out of people they serve, more power to them - its a more colorful existence than many other fields of endeavor. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. I hope to see more books from you in the future. My message to those interested in buying the book - get it - you'll feel like you've made a new friend.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Reading
Review: I've only held two waitressing jobs and I got canned from both of them. I by no means think I could ever wait on tables: I'm not built for it. That doesn't mean I'm not intelligent or agile, it just takes a special kind of person. This book is easy-to-read, very enjoyable and informative. Ginsberg's got some powerful insights on life, too, which hit me in the gut. For anyone who has ever waited on tables, or not.
Rating:
Summary: What a surprise!
Review: I bought this book for research and ended up reading it for fun. And loving it. Debra Ginsberg's voice is deadpan and funny at the same time, but mostly it's honest. This is a frank, kindhearted expose of a very, very weird business, told by a woman you imagine has her arms folded, shaking her head slowly, not quite believing her eyes sometimes, but determined to tell you what she saw anyway. I hope we hear more from this talented writer--if only so she won't have to go back to WAITING.
Rating:
Summary: I already wrote this book.
Review: I published a book entitled "Waiting" in 1996 with Viking/Penguin. It is an oral history about waiting tables and it did moderately well. Alas, the first one to the market never wins. I am happy to see that someone is making some money from my idea. Kudos! -Bruce Henderson
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read In Years!
Review: As a former waitress myself (I "got out" a few months ago), I can say that this book is a dead-on accurate account of the business, the life, and the people one finds in a restaurant. I could relate to every scene in this book, even though I have not had the exact same life as Ms. Ginsberg. As a fellow human being, I felt I could relate to everything the author said about the little behaviors and tics that every person has. You don't have to work in a restaurant to appreciate this one -- this is real life! I loved it and will recommend it to everyone I know.
Rating: 
Summary: Still Waiting
Review: Have you ever encountered someone you worked with a few years after the fact? Despite enjoying working together, a few minutes into this chance meeting comes the realization that you share nothing in common other than that job. I felt like a distant observer of the journey. I found nothing that caused me to laugh at all, let alone out loud. Perhaps not being a waitperson is part of the reason for my disappointment but I don't think that is the case.
Rating:
Summary: Why is it called tourist season if we cant shoot at em?
Review: This book is filled with all the juicy stuff that makes the restaurant biz go round! I am a retired restaurateur and after reading this book, it almost makes me want to get back into the furious and controlled panic known as the restaurant business! This book is fun and easily read, it's filled with all too familiar scenarios involving the food service industry, some horrifying, some hilarious. If you are thinking of getting into the business yourself, this book is a must read!
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