Last week, a veteran server wrote about the strange sexual politics of working in the restaurant industry.

While many of us are familiar only with the rigid protocol of office life, there's a whole different set of rules for those who tend bar and bus tables. Waiters hook up with cooks, and managers party with bartenders; borderline sexual harassment is easily tolerated.

Nobody bats an eyelash at comments that would be totally inappropriate at even a somewhat casual office: "I've had co-workers hit on me and 'joke' about a threesome," says Carah.

AmyT says, "I've been a waitress for almost 10 years. I love the work, the people and my regulars -- it's like living in the fast lane. There is a lot of sleeping around and drugs and alcohol in many restaurant settings."

The tightly knit, almost-too-comfortable workplace attitude doesn't seem to bother most past and present restaurant workers who jumped in the conversation. Rather, the unconventional politics of sex behind kitchen doors appears to be an accepted aspect of the crazy -- but fun -- service-industry life. "I had at least one partner during my employment at each individual restaurant ... Although the work was unpleasant at times, this one benefit made life more bearable in this industry," says Jon.

Mac likens working in the service industry to living like a rock star, complete with alcohol hook-ups and post-show partying. He says, "Working in this industry takes a lot of sacrifice, so in order to stay somewhat sane, you have no choice but to get close with the people you work with."