Talking Trash and Inside Jokes: Exploring the Role Language-Play has in Creating Bonds in the Food and Beverage Industry

Abstract

Throughout my career as a server, I have observed firsthand how language-play has shaped workplace relationships and evolved over the decades, and these experiences have deeply influenced my decision for making this the focus of this thesis. Language-play is a fundamental aspect of occupational folklore; it shapes workplace relationships, reinforces group identity, and serves as a tool for managing the stress inherent in this work. Within the food and beverage industry, servers, cooks, and other staff engage in ritual teasing, joking, and pranks to navigate the high-stress environment of restaurant work, developing a darker sense of humor as an essential skill for surviving the stress. This humor manifests in everything from sarcastic remarks on the expo line to the playful bullying between servers and cooks. This thesis examines how this humor functions as both a coping mechanism and a means of community-building among service workers. Drawing on ethnographic interviews, participant and non-participant observations, and discourse analysis, I explore the cultural significance of workplace humor and how it reflects on the broader social dynamics within this industry. Theoretical frameworks from sociolinguistics, performance theory, and occupational folklore inform this study, particularly in understanding how in-group communication solidifies collective identity. Findings suggest that a shift has occurred, influenced by the implications of COVID-19 pandemic measures – such as smaller workplace cohorts and reduced social interactions due to distancing – have altered the occurrence of traditional initiation pranks and other forms of humor. By examining the social role of humor in this fast-paced industry, this thesis highlights the importance of occupational folklore and the ability to laugh in an often-grueling profession.