Grin from ear to beer
Fake smiles enough to drive workers to drink
HOSPITALITY staff drained from long days of fake smiling and suppressing frustration are heading for early graves, according to a new study.
But Gold Coast restaurant and bar staff beg to differ, saying they embrace customers with a warm attitude and get the same in return.
Researchers from Penn State University and the University of Buffalo in the US found staff who slap on a fake smile and suppress the urge to roll their eyes in front of customers are more likely to turn to heavy drinking.
The researchers looked at the habits of workers in the food service industry, nurses and teachers and found people who interacted with the public in their jobs were overall more likely to drink more after work.
But on the Gold Coast, hospitality staff told the Bulletin the customers were often the best part of their job.
Waitress Paola Mancini from Costa D’oro Italian at Surfers Paradise said she had always enjoyed working in hospitality.
“I love talking with the customers and making people happy,” she said. “I worked at the family bakery and at a pizzeria during the weekends in Italy. In Australia I find the people are a bit happier and like to talk.”
Chevron Island’s Espresso Bonsai cafe owner Karen Puryicky said she always tried to be cheerful at work, even when she was tired.
House of Brews manager Iain McKie said simple good manners and a friendly attitude from customers could improve a night at work.
“A ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ goes a long way,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s great to have someone appreciate the hard work you do.”
Co-owner Sacha Kanaghines said parts of the study rang true. “It takes a certain type of person to enjoy this kind of work and often they like a chat and a drink after work, that’s a no-brainer. But we love it, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he said.