Hello,

I just got a job as a waiter at a retirement home last month and I absolutely hate it. Half of the staff is either drunk or stoned during work, making things harder for me since their work gets dumped on me. I have been given recognition as a good waiter but I really can't stand it. I know most of you will say to quit and find a better job, but you see I am 17 and my parents are making me keep this job. Any advice on how to handle it? Thank you all.

Umm...report to the boss about the drunk workers? You can't just have workers paid for being drunk.

Your parent can't tell you what to you, is your life, your choice.

The sooner you get this truth the better for you. You sound smart enough to know what is best choice. Don't let your parents guide you and make decisions for you, with time, it will only be harder to get them off your back and be independent.

1. Decide what type of work you want to do & can do.

2. Set yourself a definite goal e.g. I will find a job in such-and-such-a field by 3-months? 6-months? ???

3. Start applying for other jobs.

4. Try some further study (in the evenings) if it will help you along your preferred career path.

5. Hold onto your current job until you get a better one.

6. Do the best job you can under the circumstances. You're probably a lifeline to the elderly residents at the home. Do you have time to get to know them a bit better?

7. Try to avoid being bitter with either your parents or your co-workers.

All excellent advices, and I found no.5 especially important for the original poster's case.

"Supervisors."

Regardless of how high your education is, it obviously didn't include basic grammar.

I looked at your profile. You're 17. Are you honestly telling us that your supervisors only made it to 8th grade?

I sense a lot of hyperbole and to be blunt, arrogance in your post and demeanor. This may be why you're not liking your job. Thinking so little of those around you is bound to:

A) Be noticed by them, no matter how much you try to hide it. They in turn will respond to that, and chances are good it's not going to be with a pleasant smile.

B) Make you miserable even if you could hide it (which you can't).

Truthfully, I think the problem is how you perceive yourself and those around you.

Whether you work in a kitchen or you work in a mansion, attitude is everything in your day.

You have a bad attitude, so you're going to have bad days.

Ketamine, I understand what you have said. In my haste I made a false assumption (which I edited out). It is true that only some of my supervisors have even a 2-year degree, but I still see the merit in your post.

If you actually knew me, you would not be so quick to imply that I look down on those around me. I resent what you have said, but you have a right to your opinion, however rude it may be.

Thank you every one who has posted a reply. You have been instrumental to alleviating my situation.

Ok Chessbee what are you gonna do now or what have you decide to do?

I finished turning in applications and resumes to all of the places that I know I can work at comfortably until I move to China. I have also made numerous phone calls to continually express my interest in working at those establishments. At this point all I can do is keep working until I know I have another job.

Simple. You just got to rise above it.  It's a job, anytime it's pissing you off just think about having no job.  Set goals for things you want to buy or do and just aim at that.  Don't let other people get in your way. 

I assume you don't want to be a waiter forever but if your good at it at least its something you can always fall back on. 

Part-time jobs suck, so suck it up.

And education for a lot of things is unessasary, your managers have a lot more experience than you, and thats what really matters. Knowing trigonometry isn't realitcally going to help you manage the home. Working there for several years will.

Well , almost all of us hate our jobs dont we? Well , I am a Lawyer and I hate it. But it keeps me and my family going so i carry on.

I have done just that and sucked it up. I no longer feel alone at work which is good and my managers and I have actually begun to become friends as well as the other staff and myself. So it is turning out to be better than I thought. All of your comments have made a difference. Thank you.

Same thing happens to my mum at the old folks home.