i have served and barbacked/bussed, and i like the bussing better, mainly because i didnt have to kiss any customers ass. the problem was that the servers expected me to be their bitch the entire time. as far as "experience", i applied to Copelands with no serving experience, but told them on my application that i had previously served at a nice restaurant in the area and got hired on the spot. if you can carry a few plates then you will be ok, the good thing is that every restaurant has different ways of doing shit. the problem is that with no experience it can be very stressful at times.