I do not understand these two lyrics from "Piano Man" by Billy Joel - What does the waitress is practicing politics mean? What does putting bread in my jar mean?

"Bread" is money. They're giving him money for playing the piano so nicely.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread#Cultural_and_political_importance_of_bread

The term 'putting bread in my jar' refers to money that the audience would give a tip to the piano man. There would be a glass jar near the piano to put (any) amount in it as token of appreciation.

(the contents of the jar is really his salary for entertaining that evening)

I always thought that "the waitress is practicing politics" means that while she's moving between customers, she's trying to make everyone happy, and particularly never engaging in any discussions of importance.

I understood the "waitress is practising politics" as she was drifting from customer to customer, making them feel good (Everyone comes to the bar because they are miserable about their lives)for a moment without saying anything of importance, then drifting to the next one forgetting her last conversation. There appears to be some evidence for this in the popular press (blogs) on the web. See:




[ explainthelyrics.com/piano-man-billy-joel/ nolonger exists ]