Counter Culture: The American Coffee Shop Waitress

"Oral historian, photographer and former waitress Taylor turned her aching joints into the springboard for a mission: uncovering the experiences of diner waitresses in this sociological overview. Most are 'lifers,' now senior citizens who abhor the idea of retirement. Others may see these women as uneducated service workers, but waitresses see themselves as psychologists, nurses and family to their beloved regulars, who expect a little sass with their ham and eggs. Along with their extraordinary work ethic and oversized personalities, there are reminders of the occupational reality of below-minimum wages (which must be supplemented by substantial tips) and lack of medical and retirement benefits (which might be one reason these lifers just can't stay away from their greasy spoons). With color photographs (mostly by Taylor) of waitresses in their diners on almost every page plus feisty first-person anecdotes about how the women handle nasty customers and customers who sneak out without paying the bill (one waitress threw a ketchup bottle at them), this unique perspective is much like the professional diner waitress-difficult to pigeonhole, impossible to ignore." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Being a former waitress herself, it's not surprising that oral historian/photographer Taylor turned her attention to "lifers"--the over-50 career waitresses who often are the heart and soul of a coffee shop or diner. After conducting interviews with 57 waitresses in 38 cities and towns across the U.S., the author found these women to be satisfied with their lives and proud of their job skills and occupation. Besides presenting portraits of some of these women (in both words and photos), Taylor looks at how female servers came to dominate coffee shops and diners; at the nuts and bolts of waitressing; and at the stereotypes that the larger culture has about waitresses. Delightful, thought provoking, and generously illustrated with the author's color photographs, this book will be appreciated by any reader who has eaten at a "real" diner. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"Counter Culture" opens a window into the stories of career waitresses who have worked in diners and coffee shops for most of their working lives. The women's compelling stories are complemented by Taylor's striking color photographs of the waitresses at work.

A must-have for anyone who loves diners and coffee shops. Taylor travels more than 26,000 miles throughout the United States collecting stories of lifer waitresses. Their compelling stories are complemented by Taylor's striking color photographs of them at work.