why can't waiters/waitresses sit down?

Question

9 hours a day? sometimes even more? standing up the whole time?

Answer 1

It sucks, I know, I've been a waiter myself...
I don't see why they can't even sit down, just so long as it's not in the public view
Strange though it is, I think people in restaurants feel uncomfortable if they see their server sitting down, and then getting up to come serve them. It makes them feel "bad" or something, I dunno, almost a "Crap, now I feel bad for making them get up" sort of thing. Then they try not to bother you as much, and then afterwards, well...they'll complain that the service wasn't so good. Sort of ironic I guess
The other theory I have is that customers, and this is purely a subconscious thing, don't see the serving staff as a person so much as a part of the restaurant. I'm not saying EVERYone is like that, and I'm not saying that of the people that do it that it's even a conscious thing. But, when they see you doing something that seems more human, the experience seems lessened somehow, because they like to think that everything you do, you do for them, and that it's their needs that come first, not your own.
I guess I may have a pretty cynical view of it, but also, if your boss never lets you sit down, even when you're in the back or something, that's just bad news, and a possible labour violation (you can do whatever you want on your legally provided breaks.
Or, if the restaurant is super busy and you simply don't have time, well, you're probably hauling in some mad tips, so that's sort of a plus to help balance it out

Answer 2

The same reason we Nurses can not sit down working 3-11 and 11-7 shift taking care of patient
If you do sit people will call you lazy and think that all we do is
sit down
but the law do say you must have 30 minute lunch break and 15 minute

Answer 3

If they sat down who would serve the customers? When someone applies for a waitressing job I would assume they realize most of their work days are going to involve walking around and standing.