Interacting with customers from various walks of life is a daily occurrence in the life of a server. It takes skill to adjust your service to suit the precise needs of a family with toddlers, a group of revelers on a night out, or individuals who simply crave solitude with their meals. However, if there's one group that I've deciphered perfectly, it’s the older diners.

My journey as a waiter began at Bennigan’s, where the rigorous learning process felt almost like studying for a law degree rather than a bar menu. My grandma was my mentor during this period, and she aided me with flashcards and quizzes. She had memorized the menu so perfectly that she could recite the ingredients in our popular dishes like the Monte Cristo even without referring to the card.

The first time she stepped into the restaurant, she brought along her friend, Irene. The pair's visit initiated my tradition of treating every elderly diner like my grandma; fussing over them with patience, respect, and a smile.

My career later took me to a neighborhood bistro, where I encountered a stern regular, Naomi. She would most certainly steal the show with her walk-ins, behaved as if she owned the bistro, and took liberties with the seating. Naomi was also known for her constant critique of our menu and her penchant for a softer cushion on her seat.

While I initially perceived her behavior as difficult, I soon discovered she merely craved company. The bistro was her everyday social hub. She was reminiscent of my grandma, and that softened my stance towards her. Over the years, our bond grew stronger; to the point that I found myself visiting her at her home when she fell ill.

Naomi's passing when she was 86 hit me hard; I couldn’t help but draw parallels to my Mammaw Lillian. The resilience and spirit exhibited by both these incredible women taught me a priceless lesson - to offer empathy, respect, and a ready ear to the older population.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that a server's job transcends just delivering dishes; it demands understanding and empathizing with your customers. And for our older patrons, that respect and understanding are particularly crucial – they've earned it. As I'm heading towards my old age, I now realize that age shouldn't be equated with being crotchety and obstinate. Instead, it signifies a vast reservoir of life's experiences and deserves admiration and respect in every sense. Mammaw Lillian might have intended only to help me memorize the salad dressings but unknowingly, she did something far valuable: she taught me the art of treating people with dignity and respect, throughout their golden years.