I was out for dinner last night and asked our waitress a question. My friend said that the waitstaff prefers to be called a server as opposed to a waitress or waiter. Is the change to a gender-neutral term the wave of the future? Am I now politically incorrect?
After taking a look online, it appears that there is a trend to move away from waiter/waitress to server. This movement is based upon server being a more inclusive and modern terms. This is based upon it being gender neutral. People feel that it is more respectful to use server as it is a more inclusive term. Also use of waiter/waitress is viewed as outdated. Server reflects the professional aspect of the job where gender should not define it.
I would not be surprised if we start to refer to servers as Hospitality Professionals, Food Service Professional, Dining Room Attendant or Restaurant Staff.
It appears that I am falling into the politically incorrect camp. While I am not there right now. I bet in a few years, I will be solidly in that position. My suggestion is to avoid my downfall.