I will be writing about my experiences working in a pub in London.
There is also a lot that comes with working in a pub. On the quiet nights you wish I would get busy and on the busy nights you just want it to get quiet.
Working in a pub allows you to meet so many different people, which can be a blessing and a curse. I have had the privilege of meeting many successful artists, chefs and designers but I have also had the misfortune of meeting people who do not respect hospitality workers.
Living in London can be very lonely and isolating, work has given me somewhere to go with purpose and I’m lucky enough to really get along with the people I work with. However, working in a pub means constantly changing hours which can effect your sleep schedule and how you organise everyday tasks. I have been able to use my work as a way to schedule in specific times for university studies. Since I am not home much I try to dedicate an hour here and there to get things done.
The Christmas period is alway a very stressful time in hospitality. Picking up extras shifts and trying to negotiate a reasonable time to go home for the holidays. I am sort of the ‘yes man’ of the pub which has its pros and cons. I make more money but I also lose more of my free time. Most of the people I work with are also students which is nice because we all relate to one another but also can make organising our shifts quite difficult.
The pub has unexpected challenges, just yesterday half of the lights went out. These situations aren’t something you can exactly be trained in but it forces you into taking initiative and keeping things running in a stressful situation.
This job has definitely made my London life less isolating and I hope it helps me in my growth as a person.
How has working changed your lifestyle?
Interesting question – work takes up so much time, but without it life is often really dull (and of course there’s no money). Nicola