Whatever prejudice you might subscribe to, any job that involves you serving other people's needs is a job. Damn all old stereotypes, waitressing is a job. It might be something you would do all your life - but, it is a job. It is a job that is physically and mentally tough - if you can't take lip, then it is not for you.

Agreed, food and retail jobs usually don't pay a living wage, and the working conditions are unlike most other industry in all their relentlessness, but if you find yourself here, just go with it - and don't give up hoping for better things. Times might be hard, about 14% of American adults between the ages of 20 and 24 are unemployed, so any job is a job. Just keep on learning new things. Next time, when someone tells you that waitressing isn't a job, tell that person that making money off off another people's money (wall street) isn't a job.

(note: above is of Kerry Russel from "Waitress")