Nearly half of all restaurants and hotels serve alcoholic beverages. Waiters and waitresses must be at least 21 to work at a place that serves alcohol. Most waiters and waitresses learn their skills on the job. A few large establishments provide classroom instruction on serving. They may also teach students to set tables, handle complaints, and operate cash registers.
Some formal training is available in vocational schools or community colleges.
State laws often require waiters and waitresses to obtain certificates showing that they are free of contagious diseases. Beginners who are willing to work less desirable shifts improve their prospects of getting a job.