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Now that we're growing up and learning what it's like to have a job, we gain a different perspective. Specifically, when working as a server at a restaurant, we learn what it's like to endorse, sell and serve, rather than be the typical teen customer who buys everything in sight. Serving other people teaches us a lot. With that, here are ...

The best and worst things about being a restaurant server

BEST

• When you accidentally put your table's order in wrong and it takes an extra 10 minutes to correct, your customers understand and forgive you.

• When you accidentally put your table's order in wrong, but decide to give it to them anyway and see if they notice, and they don't.

• Getting a $20 bill for a $15 meal and hearing, "Keep the change."

• Seeing customers' faces instantly brighten when you tell them about the milkshake of the day.

• Knowing that the customers at your table respect you and have faith in you to get them their food and make them happy. It's an ego trip.

• Having a "regular" come in and request to have you as his or her server. Score!

• Telling your customers, "Sorry, this is my first day working here," when you make mistake after mistake. They tend to pity and tip big.

• Ending the day with as many pens in your apron as when you started.

• Getting a nice pat on the back and a "well done" from your manager. That pat makes a world of difference.

• Knowing that the money you make at the end of the day is yours, and you earned every cent of it (hopefully).

WORST

• On a busy day, having too many tables and not enough hands to manage.

• On a not-so-busy day, having not enough tables and too many hands to manage.

• Being a friendly and competent server to a table with a bill that exceeds $50, only to find a few dimes left on the table. Nice tip.

• Being a friendly and competent server to a table with a bill that exceeds $50, only to find nothing on the table. No tip.

• Apologizing for serving fries when they "actually ordered onion rings" -- but they really ordered fries.

• Being caught by your manager every time you sneak in the back to eat someone's tempting leftovers.

• Stifling a look of disgust when your table orders something gross -- like a hamburger with peanut butter, marinara sauce and artichokes on it.

• Noticing that your customers struggle to look you in the eye, even when you're smiling and being cheery to every customer. So you go to the bathroom and realize you have something big and green in your teeth. (On the bright side, pity tip!)

• Tripping on the slippery floor, spilling soda all over the guy at the booth, and apologizing so profusely that you offer to buy him a new shirt, and he takes you up on it.