Well, here’s something to either brighten your mood or dampen your day: an Applebee’s waitress in Westampton, New Jersey just celebrated her 90th birthday. Her name is Katherine Walsh and she has been working five days a week at Applebee’s for 13 years. That’s right, she’s 90 years old and still waits tables. She’s the oldest employee of the Applebee’s organization but still slightly younger than a chicken quesadilla she served to Table 109 last week. When asked what’s the secret for staying young, she says, “I guess it’s just being with people.” Well, that and lots and lots of Brew Pub Pretzels and Beer Cheese Dip, probably.
When she got to work last week, her co-workers and customers surprised her with a birthday party where she blew out some candles and then had to go get started on her sidework because it was her turn to do the dressings. Katharine has no plans on retiring because she loves her job as much as her co-workers say they love her. But let’s be honest. There has to be at least a couple of people who don’t like working with her because she probably always pulls out the AARP card to get out of doing the heavy lifting and the sidework that requires one to bend, but who cares? She probably makes bank, has the best section in the restaurant and is loved by all of her customers.
She’s 90 years old and stills wears an apron to work every day. This fills me with utter dread because it means that I might have 42 more years of waiting tables ahead of me and all I have to look forward to is a grocery store sheet cake and some fucking balloons at work. My God.
Happy birthday, Katherine. You are an inspiration, not just to servers, but to everyone. You go, Miss Katherine! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go take some vitamins because if I’m gonna be waiting tables for another few decades, I need to improve my bone density.
Sharon
But, Mr. BW… you have it even better than Ms. Katherine…. you have us!!!!!!!!!!!! We looooove you!
I hope that is not more of a downer, because we can be naughty sometimes.
Jubel
This is my second favorite site on this smart phone thingy. Right after Bloom County 2016.
Jubel
…er 15
Deb
There come a time when it’s time to pack it up and move on. My job requires me to act out stories, move quickly and act decisively—my energy level is high. I am no spring chicken, I’m 61, but I sure as hell do not want to be doing the job at 90 since I would not be effective and younger workers would have to fill in the slack, with growing resentment, as some tasks became physically impossible due to age. Katherine Walsh is not an effective waitress–she is an oddity and one of the stories I read about this lovely woman has this quote: “The great-grandmother says she works five days a week partly because she has to, but mostly because she wants to.” Why the hell in this country does a 90-year-old have to work? Is her financial situation so bad that this is her only option? She is not quoted as saying she loves to work and without some love, the job is just a habit. Also, does she not have a family? Is she that isolated and alone that co-workers and customers are her only social network? There is not one mention of any family members being at her gala, sheet-cake celebration. Where are they? She’s just going to hang on until she keels over onto the salad bar and expires amid the radishes and forgive me, her co-workers, probably very kind people, will feel some sadness but probably more relief. Many may see this as the story of a plucky nonagenarian but it just makes me sad.
Jubel
She’s probably out lived her children and half her customers.
Joan
Miss Kathetine is the Best!!! She used to yell at the cooks for carrying her ice buckets!!! She pulls her weight and then some and asks nothing of anyone. One if the most generous, humble and loving people I’ve ever met!!
theblonde
haven’t you written about this Applebee’s before? I think a waitress chased down some people who skipped out on their tab. That place must be wild to work for!
Steve Marandola
I used to work with Miss Katherine and that woman kicks ass and is as feisty as can be. As for me, another forty fucking years and I get a sheet cake. Fuck me, I have celiac disease.
Rick Bruner
I find it interesting that some people never learned to read between the lines or take the time to understand how humor can be used to praise. Your admiration for Ms Walsh was obvious. You managed to tell us that she was doing what she loves, that her co-workers respect her and her work ethic, and that her customers appreciate the attention and service she provides. These are traits that one would hope to find in any person who deals with the public, and are so often lacking. So thank you The Bitchy Waitress, without your blog I would never have had the opportunity to read about Ms Walsh and smile.
Debbie Abrams
I work with Miss Katherine and she does not refuse to do anything! She closes lunches everytime she works and has the same 10 table section every time she works! She has plenty of regulars and we all love to work with her. She was in a bad car accident a few months ago and we thought she would finally retire at that point. She had to give up working doubles but she was ready to be back at work before her doctor wanted to release her. She is an amazing person and I was so happy to be able to celebrate with her!
Lisa Riley
I am one of the lucky people that get to work with her one a daily basis. You can say what you want but she does have bad days not because she doesn’t like her job but because customers are obnoxious. She never plays the AARP card to try and get out of anything. As a matter of fact it know by everyone that works with her to not treat her any differently then the 20 year old that work there. Not to mention NObody runs her food for her. She wants to do it all. We are blessed to have her
Debbie Abrams
Exactly!!!
chris
dear bitchy: i love you because you make being a server for 32 years seem ok so i can get through my shifts with a sense of humor instead of bitterness and anger! thankyou for being there everyday and helping me see the lighter side of this industry and keeping things real for everyone in the crazy restaurant server profession. xo.
shonda franks
Oh lawd you make me LMFAO. That woman must be so sore at the end of her day. I’m half her age and move like I have rigor mortis when I sit down the in the car after my shift. You Go Girl!!!!!
Nottelling
All I learned from this is that you’re 48? Is my math correct? If so you look pretty good for your age.
vaanja
In my late 30s, I certainly wasn’t ‘old’, but I was by far the oldest female server at my restaurant. Now I’m low-level management at a coffee shop, and I’ll always prefer older workers. They show up on time, do their work. They have lives, and don’t feel the need to drag their bullshit social drama all over my line. They have perspective, and can generally be trusted not to blow up on any random bitch customer. They inspire customers to be more polite. And if they decide to murder a real asshat, a life sentence isn’t as long and scary as some teenager’s.
Justin
I love your posts, but weren’t you complaining (perhaps even bitching) just the other day about there not being an age where you need to stop? Just saying ?
Dolly
Guess I have 17 more years to go to catch up with her. I still love being a waitress.
Martina MacMillan
Dear Bitchy Waiter;
Sometimes I think you should call yourself Bitter Waiter. If the industry causes you this much resentment maybe you should switch jobs. I’ve been a server 30 years plus. I’m rarely as bitter as you. Unless it’s all bullshit.
The Bitchy Waiter
I’m rarely as bitter as my blog would lead one to believe. 🙂
Kathy Sullivan
Bitchy- I think what you say is all in good fun. I get enormous enjoyment from reading your posts!
Jason Robinson
It’s a sad day when you get on grannys butt about not doing her side work. She’s most likely the best employee they have. She’s on time, does her job, but most importantly shes marketing for the store. She’s pushing the apps, specials, etc. And she knows how to take care of her guest. I would love to have her as my employee. I was fortunate enough to have three ladies in my stores over the past 25 years just like her. Best employees ever. Yes their set in their ways but who’s granny is’nt. Kids these day dont care and their parents who didn’t want their kid to grow up like they did, have raise ungrateful, privileged children who don’t care if your dining experience was great or not… Get you some Granny and if you don’t want to roll your silverware today, I didn’t see shit…