Five Questions Feature: Meet Katie Giesen, Waitress

New Tampa readers, meet Katie Giesen. Patch met her at on a recent Friday.

• Works at: Cracker Barrel, 3125 Cove Bend Drive
• Started: four years ago.
• Has been a waitress for: seven years.
• Hometown: New Jersey

Patch: What made you become a waitress?

Giesen: I went to culinary school  and was learning to become a chef. I started waitressing because I enjoyed being in the restaurant business.

Patch: What do you like about being a waitress?

Giesen: I like the fact that I can meet many people and learn about others. The interaction I get with the customers is rewarding because I get memories of conversations that will last a lifetime.

Patch: What is the funniest story you can remember?

Giesen: Well, there is this woman that all the staff knows ... The lady comes into the restaurant at least once a day and makes believe she is in a rush. Once the waiter arrives with the food and after five refills of her half drank sweet tea, she asks for a box to go. And on top of that, she never tips!

Patch: What goes on behind the scenes in the restaurant?

Giesen: It’s like the movie “Waiting” without the extreme stuff. People have clicks like in high school and in some cases people like to act like it’s a popularity contest. The cooks try to date the new servers and people get crushes on each other on a regular basis. After work, many of them get together and go out … and that’s how rumors are started.

Patch: Once you leave Cracker Barrel, what is the one thing you are going to miss the most?

Giesen: The memorable customers who are nice, outgoing and genuinely care for what you have to say. Serving those kinds of customers make me believe there are still good people out there, and it makes me feel good.