I worked in the restaurant business, as a server for nearly ten years. Working with the public, in a fast-paced environment, I am bound to have some embarrassing stories right? Right! So here is one of my top five embarrassing stories, and it goes a little something like this...

It was a normal Sunday morning (so I thought) at work. I will go ahead a refer to my place of employment, as Lenny's. So, as I was saying...it was a typical start to my Sunday morning. It was pretty slow, the Lenny's crew, and I were preparing for the "Sunday rush", which is kinda like rush hour traffic, except it takes place inside of the restaurant, once church lets out.

I had just gotten my first big table, a "20 top", which is what we call the number of people at a given table. The crew, and I began pushing a bunch of tables together to prepare for the group. We got the tables together, chairs pushed in, and began setting the table with silverware. Once we had finished setting up, the hostess grabbed the menus, and lead the group to their seats.

I was in the "island", which is a small place where necessities are stored for employees, and customers. I grabbed one of the large trays from beneath the counter, and started putting glasses on them. I chose to use a large food tray, instead of a small water tray, as I did not want to make several trips to the table to deliver waters. I gathered all 20 ice waters onto the large tray, and headed towards the table.

The table was located in the middle of the room. It looked like a really long rectangle, with people gathered around the sides, and the ends of the table. At one end, there was a baby in a car seat, which was set on top of a foldout devise, so that the car seat was the same height, as the table. This made it easier for the parents to attend to their children, while they ate. I started at the far end of the table, away from the baby.

I began to back around the table, slowly and carefully, while setting each persons water on the table. As, I approached the end of the table where the baby was sitting, I made sure I held the tray securely, and started to move slowly around the baby. Before I knew it, waters were flying straight up in the air, and I was laying flat on my back. I watched the water glasses come down on top of me, and as they landed, they made a loud crash, and broke . I laid there perplexed for a second, and the restaurant had a eerie silence. I could feel many eyes upon me. I looked around, and from the "island" where my fellow employees where gathered, I heard a loud outcry of laughter. I too, began to laugh myself.

You see...the parents didn't attach the safety belt around their childs car seat, and it was left dangling on the floor. When I went to back around the table. I stepped back with my left foot first, which pulled the belt tight, then preceded to step back with my right foot, and tripped. Actually, I didn't trip...I fell straight back and smacked my head onto the floor.

Let's just say that was one of my most embarrassing moments, as there were a ton of people in the restaurant that day. At least my best friend who was working with me came over to help. Even though she was laughing, she helped me up, and cleaned the mess of broken glasses from me, and the floor. At least, the baby was not hurt, and I didn't cut my face off.

Lesson I learned that day...

Always walk forward, and watch where you are going.