Since I was 16 I have been blessed with the love/hate relationship that comes with being in the food industry. Not only being in the food industry but being a server in the food industry.

There are a million things I wish non-servers knew about serving. I'm only 20, and this is not my future career path. To me, it's merely a way to pay the bills and have a flexible income while I am in school. To some servers, it is their life — it is their career. In my restaurant, there are servers who have been serving for 25 plus years. I can only imagine the things they would add to this list.

I'm leaving out the pity items. I'm leaving out the "you don't know what type of day we had before we came to work" stuff. Sure, it might be true, but I'm not going to argue it. You're right, it is our job to serve you. Our job description includes being nice and courteous to you even if we aren't feeling nice and courteous. We are actors. All of the items on this list are things non-servers probably wouldn't think about or do not realize. They are things we wish you knew.

1. Before you asked me for an extra side of ranch, I was already asked for a glass of water, wetnaps, and I was trying to figure out where table 52's food is.

I am not saying I can't get you your ranch, I am just saying I'm going to get it while I am working on other things. (Here's a tip: if you know you will want sides of condiments like mayo or ranch, tell your server when you order. You won't even have to ask later.)

2. I had to charge you for the extra side of sour cream.

I am not doing it because I want to increase your bill. I am doing it because if I don't it is considered stealing from my place of employment.

3. We don't like when you interrupt our introduction.

"Hi, my..."

"Water. With Lemon."

Rude. If you are in a hurry, tell us (after we get through our introduction). I have the power to get you in and out quickly. I can even recommend items that cook quickly. You skipping my introduction will not help you all that much. It will only make me think you are rude.

4. Splitting checks can be hard and complicated.

I am not saying don't ask your server to split the checks; I am just saying to take it easy on them. When splitting checks, the majority of the time the server just sees a massive list of everything ordered. We then have to go through and move everything around onto separate checks. You are paying for the birthday boy's meal at the other end of the table. They are splitting that one appetizer. Two other people are paying for their kids who are not sitting next to them. It can be confusing. To help, you can tell your server ahead of time who is going on what check.

5. We live off your tips.

Most of us have no paycheck other than the tips we walk home with every night. If you had a good server who did their job, be sure to tip them a fair amount. When you go out to eat, you should work the tip into your budget.

6. If I am busy, I cannot sit and talk to you forever.

I wish I could sit there and get personal with you and talk for hours, but I can't. Just because you are done eating and needing my help doesn't mean my six other tables are too.

7. We are not flirting with your date.

We are there to take both of your orders and to be friendly and inviting.

8. Use common sense when it comes to how long your food takes.

Do not get upset when the 10-ounce steak you ordered well-done takes a while. You should expect it to. Can you cook a 10-ounce well-done steak in five minutes? We can't either. If we can I am not sure you want to eat that steak.

9. Please do not be a camper.

If you stay and hang out after you have paid, you are taking money away from us. There is another couple that could be sitting there. If we are dead that may not be the case, but if we are dead then we are probably trying to go home which means you should too.

I am sure this list could be added to. For now, keep these things in mind for the next time you go out to eat.