I came to Reno last year from Guanajuato, Mexico. I was a tour guide in Mexico, so my English is pretty good. I’m twenty-one years old. My mother was working here for the past few years, and she loves it. So I decided to come on up.

I live near downtown in an apartment with my mother and little brother. My brother is fourteen—his name is Pablo as in the Pope. We all get up at 6 a.m., so that my mother and I can get to work by 7:00, and my brother can leave for school. Sometimes I have to be at work by 5:30 to set up for brunch. My mother is a supervisor of maids at the Eldorado.

Today I’m tired. I worked a double shift yesterday, sixteen hours on my feet bussing tables. I was supposed to work today but I just said “I can’t, I’m really tired!” First it’s the brunch, then lunch. At breaks, I sit down and talk to people. We trade off being hostesses, but bussing is better cause you get tips.

Working a double-shift was my choice. Money, that’s why. Money, it’s money. Rent is $350 a month. We just moved from a place with furniture to a place without, so we had to buy some. I split it with my mother. My grandmother died a few months ago, so my mother went back to Mexico, and I covered all our expenses that month. My brother is still just a little boy, but as soon as he starts working I’m going to ask him to contribute.

Bussing tables I make $4.75 plus tips. We get time and a half if we work more than eight hours. Some days I make forty dollars in tips, sometimes less than ten dollars. If you’re smiling, asking about the weather, just a little conversation, they’ll tip you.

At work sometimes people bug you. We had a Mexican lady come in yesterday and she said, “Do you speak Spanish?” I said “Yes,” and then she began to command me, “Well, I want a table near the window, non-smoking, etc., etc.” As if I were her maid or something. Sometimes, if you’re from their country, they treat you worse.

I’m usually speaking English. They don’t like us to speak Spanish between ourselves on the job, because then they can’t understand us. I am almost thinking in English now, but to me it’s a relief to speak Spanish.

When we’re done with work we come home and relax a little. We watch TV, have some dinner. And we listen to music—Eydie Gormé is my favorite. I love the romantic stuff.