Thank you all for the support and/or advice.

Just to make things clear, I never said I was 'overqualified' -though I am, in the sense that you don't 'need' a degree to bartender and you do need a degree to do what I've been doing (actually you don't really need a degree, but they will ask you to have it anyways).

What I am saying is that it is not the kind of job that would make me happy (I don't think so, at least). It does make may other people happy, I am sure of that. And to answer to rachylou's questions: I suck at all those things. I'm trying my best but I am slow, and clumsy, and make a mess all the time. And I want to learn how to do things better. I never said it was an easy job for me. I never complained about how easy it was. I have actually always admired waiters and waitresses because theirs is a difficult job. I'm just used to working with my mind/brain as opposed to working with my hands and body. And even then, I hated it when I had to work on my own for long periods of time, because I need human interaction (which I haven't been having while washing dishes for hours).

And, sadly, there's not much talking between customers and waiters in this café, to be honest. I wish it wasn't that way, but it is, I don't know exactly why...

I've reached the conclusion that this job is as good a thing as I can have right now, and that I have to make the most of it. So I'll smile my way through it, sing to myself when nobody talks to me (ehem, kinda been doing that already) and wear comfortable shoes.

Maybe think of this as an opportunity to stretch yourself in new directions. Manual labor can strengthen your body and your mind, if you allow it. It's amazing how mentally tough you can become when you're pushing yourself beyond what's comfortable. If all the skills Rachy mentioned don't come naturally to you -- challenge yourself to become better, learn more, and make the most of what's in front of you. I have a regular 'ol office job now, where I'm supposedly valued for my intellect but I honestly sometimes miss the so-called "less challenging" jobs that I had in the past. They toughened me up, that's for sure. It's why I seldom feel I can complain about the ennui of my white-collar job.

It's interesting, Irene. I'm mainly a writer now, although I've also done editing. But either way, with *brain* jobs - there's a lot less interaction than one might hope for (everyone always has to go off and think in some corner somewhere), and they're very bad for the brain. The brain was not optimized for sitting. I'm not entirely sure I can do the brain job without the physical job - which provides a lot of illumination for the brain job while the brain job provides nothing for the physical job. Plus I might add, the physical job actually makes something for me to eat.

I mean, I do a lot less thinking with writing than with baking. Also, I have to tell everyone there's a lot of thinking that ought be going on with dish washing.

But dish washing can get lonely. That's very true. So easy to just zone out and get isolated. You have to know how to shake that off too.

When I came to America (as MD) from my country I worked in sandwich shop. Only person open to close at 10pm. Owner was super proud to hire a physician and I was happy to have money to afford fees to pay for ECFMG test and eventually able to practice in this country.

Exactly like Suz etc said give yourself deadline. Whatever that is acceptable to you and move on.

My deadline was set by ECFMG so it was easy so much time to study, give test and start residency. Good friend of mine was in retail (jcpenney) and other at gas station filling tanks in NJ.

I think just go on aiming for what you always wanted. There's always speed breakers in life or road but other side is slope to give momentum.

Didn't mean to write essay. Just sharing experience that was big blow on ego if you ask me but is a great story to share with my kids and teach them value of hard work and that no work is inferior - it's just different kind.

Oh gosh I feel for you. I had a waitressing job once and I was terrible at it. It did keep me in shape more than any other job I've had. I just stuck it out until I found the next job. I think it would be a great networking opportunity if you get the chance to know your customers.

Hmm, I'm going to go against the grain here and suggest that you leave the job if you are truly unhappy with it. Stumbling around half-heartedly going through the motions isn't fair to your employer or fellow workers--or to yourself. If you don't feel like making the effort, I'd say the situation looks like a losing proposition for everyone.

For what it's worth, I've worked at similar jobs where my stamina was more important than my brains. I think that working these kinds of jobs teaches you a lot about yourself and others, but I also think that this kind of learning only happens when you take pride in being able to cope with the challenges of this kind of labour. If you can't take pride in your work, I think it destroys your soul--and no pay cheque can compensate for that.

Irene, I'm happy you started this thread because it prompted yet another outpour of the YLF wisdom. There is so much each one of us can take from this thread - so thank you.

I thought about you a lot over the past few days. One thing that I wanted to add is that you've been at the job for only three days at the time of starting the discussion. Isn't it maybe too early to know the job is not for you? It may be just initial reaction that this is not exactly what you imagined and also natural resistance to the change of what you know as your usual/typical work environment?

I am by no means saying you should not dream big, nor I think I have to spell it out for you. But, for now I think you could think in terms of adapting. Give it time. Let it be. Honestly, this may be your once in a lifetime chance to observe yourself in an unfamiliar circumstances and the learning experience you could not have predicted. It is true, what does not break us, makes us stronger. How - well, it will only become obvious to you sometimes in the future.

Think of this as unlikely, but useful, investment in your career. There jobs and then there are jobs, everyone you come across in the future should appreciate a person who is not afraid of getting on with things. You made a brave move, then you made the best of the circumstances you've found yourself in - while keeping an eye on your actual goal.

One more thing. You mention you could go back to Barcelona and get a better paid job any time. This is something that gives certain weight to how you feel about things. The way I interpret it - deep down, you know there is a rather safe Plan B if things don't work out in London. You know even now that you don't have to do what you do where you are, but can do what's more aligned with your qualifications and abilities - although somewhere else. It's possibly an inner conflict. Perhaps you feel like you're settling for less unnecessarily. I'm saying this partly from personal experience, my husband and I moved a few times in the past, but we almost always had an option if things did not work out as planned. This changes things a lot.

You have every right to feel unsatisfied, but give it some time. I agree you should not do any soul-sucking job, but I believe there is so much you can take out from this. At least you can now compare two different scenarios and how you feel about them: being where you are with no job you want or any job at all, or being where you are and doing something/anything while searching for what you want.

I worked in a restaurant for many years as an undergrad. At first I felt really bad about having to take a job there, because it seemed so remote from my intellectual interests. But, after a few months of getting into the culture of the place, it actually ended up being quite fun. Many of the staff were long-term employees (and later became part owners, as it was a family-run business that expanded) and they were all quite close-knit. We had a lot of fun on the job, and a lot of social interaction outside work. Even though I was mostly just running the cash register and clearing tables, it was a nice counterpoint to my studies.

I'd say give it some time for you to settle in and develop the right skills. Even if the customers don't talk to the staff much at the moment, that could change. And, well, when you do find a better job that's in your chosen field, you won't feel bad about leaving this one with relatively short notice.

While if this job is so demanding that you cannot work on your dream at all, then I would consider quitting. I would just think really carefully how long you can survive on your savings before you give notice. You alone can decide whether a job like this in London is worth staying for. You may also want to set a deadline on how long are you going to try to make it in London.

I am not sure what industry you want to break in, so I cannot give advice on how to do that. But unpaid internship is sometimes a way to get into a line of job.

Good luck!

Just an update on my life: today I faced the clouds with my best smile and my not so good qualities as a singer. I would say I was the happiest one at the restaurant today, since everyone was kinda upset that there was not much work to do and that they were bored. I, however, went through my ten hours shift singing to myself and laughing randomly. It paid off. I even got hit on by a super cute guy in the tube

AND I got called for an interview for a job at Clarks. Not ideal, but let me have my fingers crossed.

Ok, now that's what I call brilliant, Irene! I like it