Makeup & Drumsticks

After months of being the only Hooters blog in the vast wasteland of the Internet a brand spanking new Hooters Girl blog has suddenly appeared.  Makeup & Drumsticks follows the adventures of Tots, a newbie Hooters Girl from Georgia, as she begins her new job.  The blog is pretty interesting in that it follows her Hooters story from the beginning allowing for an inside look at the hiring, orientation and training experience at Hooters.

Tots, seems genuinely excited about her new endeavor at Hooters and this comes across readily in her frequent posting.  Hopefully, she'll continue to love her job and love telling us about it even more.

After all, I really don't want to be alone again.

Receipt Art: December 9, 2010

As promised, I am doing my very best to avoid drawing anymore snowmen on my receipts.  I won't lie, it's been a challenge.  It seems the more I try to avoid snowmen, the more I think about them.  It's sort of freaky in a "the snowmen are going to come out of my dreams and kill me in overly dramatic teen scream movie" sort of way.  You know what I mean.

So here's one of my favorite snowman-free themes.

Yes, I used COLORS and made some festive holiday lights.  Simple but awesome.  I even managed to included both the female and male ends of the lights.  That's how freaking smart I am.

I also hope you noticed the sauce stains my customers' greasy little fingers left all over the receipt.  I think it really says "Hooters."

Sauce Gets Competitive

It's competition time at Hooters.  To the general populace this is more commonly known as "the holidays."  Of course those of us who work in any type of retail environment know that it's not so much of time of family gatherings as it's a time of selling the shit right out of stuff.  Allow me to elaborate.

During the month of December, Hooters wants me and every other Hooters Girl to sell as many "souvenirs" as we can.  Obviously, we are always expected to sell stuff, but during the holidays the expectation rises exponentially.  Ideally, I am meant to mention merchandise at every table and generally I do; my sales numbers are always pretty high.  Other girls struggle with the whole sales part of the Hooters Girl job.  Usually this is met with a not so serious warning.  But this is competition time and things have changed.

As a way to increase December sales, Hooters always holds some sort of competition in which the top seller receives a prize.  Last year the first girl to reach $750 in merchandise and gift card sales received 50% off any merchandise purchases for an entire day for "Christmas shopping."  Um, I work at Hooters.  I don't want to be constantly reminded of that by buying all my family Hooters shit.  Besides that hardly seems thoughtful.  And don't even get me started on the fact that it was just an opportunity for Hooters to make more money.  Whatever.  I won the contest with a nearly $200 lead.  Only all I wanted was a sweatshirt so they just gave me one.  So I made them bunches of money and I got a sweatshirt.  Go me?

This year, however, Hooters really stepped up their game and are giving away a freaking trip to Vegas.  Now when I say trip to Vegas I mean they are giving a two-night stay at Hooters Hotel (which they get for free) and $100 toward a plane ticket.  So basically they are giving away $100 when it's all said and done.  But that's not the effing point.  The effing point is that I am the most competitive person in the world and I WILL win.  And then I will go to Vegas and be utterly fabulous.

Day one of the contest I was the leading seller with $150 in sales.  Go me indeed.  Then I had two days off and now I have no idea what's going on and who has sold what.  All I know is that tomorrow it is so freaking on.  And to that man who said I was the best salesperson he'd ever seen, thank you for realizing my supreme level of awesome.  And for buying two shirts you didn't even know you wanted.

So who wants to drive to Missoula and do a little Christmas shopping?

A Little Hooters History Lesson

A little history lesson on the beginning of Hooters.  Don't worry, there is some T&A in there with the information.  Go, Coby Brooks, go!

Receipt Art: Receipt-A-Palooza

You probably thought I had given up on making receipt arts.  Really the only thing that I've had to give up was my cellphone at work.  Ever since the major crackdown on phones in the building, I've been doing an awful lot of hoarding of receipts with no immediate way to photograph them.  So the receipts have been building up.  I apologize for being a hoarder.  Feel free to submit me to A&E or TLC for a major intervention.

Welcome to Receipt-A-Palooza!

I take you back to November 13, 2010.  That's how effing long I've been holding on to this thing.  Either I really like you guys or I'm completely and utterly insane.

This was mad for a band and it's an awesomely abstract little number.  I love the way it turned out almost as much as I love the fact that they had nine well vodkas accompanied by various mixers.  Just don't ask me why the computer decided to split up all those vodkas like that.  Technology is stupid.  And sober.

Now that winter is upon us, I have a whole new season of awesome to explore.  Of course by explore I mean that so far I've just drawn a shit ton of snowmen.  This was attempt one.  Please note how into the snowflakes I was.  Also note that I gave that poor snowfellow only two fingers.  My bad.

 Next the snowman went skiing.  I imagine him to be a lot like the Roaming Gnome as explores our wide and wondrous world.  Here he has decided to roam right into the path of oncoming skier.  Stupid snowman.  At least he got three fingers per hand.

Next is my favorite of the bunch.  There is just something I love about this little owls.  My love is only deepened by the little scarf and earmuffs.  Stay warm my little dudes.

Oh and perhaps you've noted how my snowflakes have now turned to asterisks because everyone knows that is the universal doodle for snow.  Whatever.

Yup, there's the snowman outside of a warm little home polluting the world with choking smoke from a coal stove.  Happy Holidays!

Then I finally got over the the snowman and changed him to a nondenominational holiday tree accompanied by a happy, hat-wearing moon.

I know make you two promises.

1. No more snowmen
2. Less receipt hoarding

Yeah, I can manage all that.

Youtube is a Tattletale

Recently a video surfaced on Youtube that has my store all abuzz.  Of course by recently I actually mean that's it's been on the site for two effing months and it just came to everyone's attention.  Naturally, as I am a Hooters nerd, I've known about this video for quite a while.  I just never said anything because it seemed both lame and unimportant.  Apparently Corporate and our management didn't find the video so harmless.  Yes, someone somewhere sent this video to Hooters and now we're all in trouble.  So what could be so very awful?  Well take a look...

Um, what?  On a scale of one to skankalanky, you're going to hell type of shit, I'd give that a two.  In fact the customers thought it was funny and actually tipped accordingly.  I guess I don't see what the big deal is.  Heaven forbid we waste ice.  I hear that shit is frozen water and we all know how valuable that stuff is.

Now, I present another video.  You tell me which one is worse.



Or maybe this.



Perhaps it's just me, but I think the stool rodeo - condoned and taught by Hooters - is far more provocative than a "snowball" fight.  And don't even get me started on Hooters Girls slapping guests after they snort salt like it's freaking cocaine off a strippers ass (this is called the stuntman shot and according to my Youtube searching is a house specialty at a Hooters in Hawaii).

Maybe if they had told us exactly what was so inappropriate and wrong about the whole thing I'd get it, but no explanation has been offered.  So far it's seems they're mad to be mad and isn't that always just peachy?

So what are your thoughts?  Me, I think it's no big deal.  Oh and thanks for zooming in on Audrey's ass, dude.

A Journey through Search Terms

Sometimes I get all nerdy and take a look at the various search terms that lead people to my blog.  Occasionally these adventures through my traffic sources actually lead to blog posts because sometimes people actually look up pretty legit questions.  Some people Google things like:  "pictures of girls picking wedgies, "I fucked a Hooters Girl," and "ass dad wife."  I regret to inform you, this post is not for you.  I now present a few select searches and my answers to them.  Glad I could help.

Do Hooters Girls use real names on their nametags?
Hooters Girls are supposed to use their real names on their nametags.  While I'm sure that there are both Hooters stores and Hooters Girls that break this rule, for the most part girls have their real names on their nametags.  At my store, we happen to have quite a few girls with different names - including two named Stormy - so we get this question quite often.  Yes, we really do have that many odd names; I guess our parents were all really original.

Are Hooters Girls promiscuous?
I would say that Hooters Girls are probably serve as a good sample of the population of women as a whole.  Basically all that mumbo gumbo means that I think that Hooters Girls are no more or less promiscuous than other woman.  Some are...um...easy and others are not.  This is no different from going to any bar on any Friday night - some girls will go home with you, but most probably won't.

Where can I find articles written about Hooters?
Yes, you're in the right place.  Stop here.  Now.  You can go anywhere on the Internet and find lots of crap about Hooters, but you should read mine first.

Can I share Hooters all you can eat wings?
Most Hooters will not let you share all you can eat wings.  After all, it's called all YOU can eat wings, not all you and your friends and your cousins and you neighbors can eat wings.  If you think about it, some people will eat less than, say, $12.99 worth of wings and some will eat more.  If you and every one else pitched in together you would obviously get your money's worth every time.  Good for you.  Bad for business.  You get the idea.

Can I buy the official Hooters uniform online?
Why yes you can buy the uniform online.  You can do so HERE.  But apparently they don't sell the shorts anymore.  For those, I'd try Ebay.

Do Hooters Girls get insurance?
Yes and no.  Because Hooters is a franchised company it is up to individual owners if they want to offer insurance.  I have worked for Hooters full-time for over two years and receive no insurance because it is not an offered benefit where I work.  But then again, I've never received a raise either.  I don't think my Hooters is the norm however.

Crafty things to do with old Hooters uniforms?
Um have I mentioned I ADORE crafts?!  Well I do.  I've never even thought about this, but I think it's fabulous that you're being all green about reusing your uniforms.  Why not make a tank top shaped throw pillow or perhaps an orange shorts hobo bag.  Or you could always burn the uniforms as a way to economically heat your home.  Yes, I'd probably go with that.

Does Hooters offer half off a boob job?
Contrary to popular belief, Hooters does not in fact offer boob jobs as a benefit.  This question appears - in varying forms - quite often amidst my searches.  Apparently this is common yet stupid belief.   So once again, Hooters does not give boobs jobs.  Or half off boob jobs.  Or half off hack boob jobs done in Tijuana.  I have seen Hooters Girls make the money to buy boobs by working at Hooters though.  Lucky them.

What are Hooters uniform sizes?

Hooters uniforms are available in size xxxs - small.  Yes, that's written correctly.  Yes, you read it correctly.  Don't worry; the sizes don't reflect actual sizes very well.

How much should I tip at Hooters?
Here is my solution to tipping at Hooters.  Is it the right way?  No, it's simply one solution to a question a lot of people have.  Tipping is individual and should not be expected.  In the end it's up to you.

Is it bad for my boyfriend to wear a Hooters shirt?
No, it is not bad for your boyfriend to wear a Hooters shirt.  It is after all, just an effing shirt.  Odds are, he went to Hooters, had a few wings, had a fun time and decided to buy a shirt.  Buying a shirt does not indicate that he cheated on at Hooters.  Or that he doesn't like you anymore.  Or any of the other totally off base conclusions you may jump to.  In fact, Hooters is probably the last place any of those things would happen.  And for the record we sell just as many shirts to girls.

When do Hooters Girls wear black?
Hooters Girls wear black every Friday.  This is called formal Friday is quite possibly the best day of the week.  We also wear black for "special events" like UFC or local college football games.  The special events change from store to store, but all stores participate in formal Fridays. 

Will a Hooters Girl kiss you if you ask?
Hate to kill any fantasies, but Hooters Girls will not kiss you even if you say please.  I don't think I need to elaborate.

So hopefully, somewhere out there on the Internet, I answered someone's burning Hooters question.  I try to be helpful now and again.  If you have your own Hooters question, don't waste your time with Google and email me instead - girlandguitar@live.com

A Response to an Interview with Sauce

Did you know that 2010 only has eleven months?  Yup, it sure does.  Obviously that whole November crap didn't work out so well for me so I decided to just get rid of it.  If your birthday is in November, I apologize; go ahead and decide on October or December instead.  So here we are in December, the eleventh month of 2010.  I'm feeling pretty good about this one.

To jump us off, I'm going to remind you of an interview I did in a month that no longer exists.  I expected the interview would get some interesting comments and response.  And it did.  In fact it got so many responses that Brianne - creator of the site that I was featured on - posted her reasons for featuring me.  It was the first posting that wasn't an interview.

Below I present Brianne's reasons for including me on her site as well as why I think I deserved to be featured.

The other morning I was at work when I received a text from a good friend. It said, “Really, Bri? A Hooters girl?”

I knew he was talking about I Want Her Job.

Then a little later on I had a phone call with another good friend. She said, “It took everything in me not to write a nasty comment on your blog. I really enjoy coming to your site, but I don’t feel like working at Hooters inspires anybody. I am a teacher, and I work with kids all the time to find out what it is they really want to do. Do you really want girls to say they want to grow up and be a Hooters girl? I think that’s just degrading.”

My response to both of them was this, “Did you read the profile?”

The first friend had not read it, and once he did, well, he seemed to understand it a bit more.

The second friend I mentioned read the profile and didn’t change her mind.

She felt like the job was degrading to women and couldn’t believe I would promote it on this site.

I then asked her, “Well, if next week I featured an interview with an anchor from ‘The Today Show’ or the editor-in-chief of a magazine, would you read it?” “Yes, of course,” she said. And I responded then by saying, “Well, then it didn’t change your mind about the site?” “As long as you don’t feature a stripper … ” she responded before we changed topics.

Here’s the thing. When I made the decision to feature Sauce, I thought about it for a night. I didn’t make a quick reaction. While her job is not one that I had a targeted plan to feature, I was impressed with her viewpoint and her entrepreneurial spirit. Sauce doesn’t just work at Hooters. She trains other girls, she runs a website that gets as many as 500 views a day (which, for the record, is not easy) and furthermore, the website that she created led to an opportunity for her to write for the company’s magazine. I admire that drive.

As someone with a background in journalism, I was taught to always consider all sides of a story. The job of a reporter is to not insert your own voice and to present two sides … and even if I couldn’t find the other side of the story, I had to actively seek it out. Now, with blogging, I feel mainstream news has tried to insert more of an opinion into what they do. And beyond that, writers are looking to have more of a voice. Opinion counts these days, but sometimes it’s still best to step back and be the publisher of content that strikes a chord with people, without inserting your own thoughts. And with I Want Her Job, I am striving to motivate, but also to feature women in all types of jobs. Who am I to say what kind of jobs people should love?

The other thing about this site is that as long as you’re a woman, you can be featured if you can convince me of one thing — that you really, truly love your job. And while I realize some jobs appeal to some people and other jobs don’t, I think there’s something interesting in the fact that Sauce has to wake up every morning and no matter how she feels, she has to look her best. As a woman, I’m sure you can understand how exhausting that can be. There are some mornings when I just don’t care if I have mascara on my lashes or if my hair is curled. I’m just not into it for one reason or another. And the fact that she does this is interesting to me.

The bottom line is this: I Want Her Job is here to feature women with all types of jobs who love what they do. We’re also here to support one another. So, keep the comments coming, because we’re not just profiling women who love their jobs, we’re starting a community that has an opinion and motivates us as women.

And if we can’t be one another’s biggest cheerleaders, then who will be?

So why do I think I deserved to be interviewed on a site meant to empower women through the success of other women?  Yes, I realize I have a job that many would conventionally consider demeaning.  But I don't think my job had anything to do with me being featured.  I was chosen to be featured because I created an amazing opportunity for myself.  I took my job as a simple waitress and created a second job that has become wildly successful and that fact wouldn't change whether I waited tables at Perkins or Cracker Barrel or Hooters.  Now I'm not just a Hooters Girl, I'm a Hooters Girl with a popular blog (that makes money) and a recurring magazine article (that also makes me money).   And I don't think either of those things are easy.

 And that is why I was featured.  It wasn't my job, but rather the drive that let me turn my job into something that has boundless opportunity.  Whether I was a teacher or an artist or a garbage man it wouldn't change the fact that I created something that speaks a lot to my own spirit and ingenuity as a woman. 

Yes, I'm just a Hooters Girl, but what I choose to do with that opportunity is what I feel gives me the ability to inspire.  The whole point is that no matter what you're doing you can still put your heart and soul into it and experience a great return.

I, for one, can't wait to see where it takes me.