Ah the life of the waiter or waitress. For a good majority of us, this is a life we have touched upon sometime in our journey and while on some Friday nights the tips weren't bad, most days it was a living hell. Don't get me wrong, every now and then there were the occasional considerate table or two, however on most cases that wasn't the scenario. If you haven't been a server, here are some helpful facts we all want you to know for the future.
1. Stacking everything on the table actually does not help us.
We understand you're trying to help us out especially if you ordered a good amount of food. However, when you stack it all the food just goes everywhere on the other side of the plate and it actually just makes it more annoying for us.
2. When you leave the tip underneath all the items on the table instead of at the end, yeah.
This bothers us to no end. Just leave the money at the end of the table. Placing it underneath dirty napkins or plates is extremely irritating to us. Yes we have to touch them anyway to clear the table but still, it's rude.
3. Don't go out to dinner if you can't tip.
Our salaries aren't that great and servers basically sometimes have to survive on tips. When it comes down to it, if you can afford to go out to eat then you can afford to leave us a tip. If not, we will gladly be okay with you staying at home and eating a sandwich. We don't care.
4. Your child who is throwing things everywhere is not cute.
It is understandable that children have absolutely no control sometimes and will do things just because they can. However, if you can't gather any control over your little spawn who is tossing food at me as I try and take your dessert order, I will not find that adorable. I will not think "awwww that's okay." I will smile through the irritation.
5. If your order isn't 100% correct, chances are it is the cooks fault not mine.
In my server days I wrote down everything as you are telling me. I even make sure to repeat things you are telling me back to you because I want to make sure you receive what you are ordering. If somehow a mishap occurs between giving the order to the cook and taking it to your table, chances are it wasn't the mean server deliberately trying to be an asshole.
6. We don't enjoy when you drop several things underneath the table and don't pick them up.
It is not going to cause you any harm by reaching under the table and grabbing the fork, spoon, napkin, whatever that you dropped. Do not have the mentality that it is our job to buss down the table and clean the area by the table. Don't be a rude jerk.
7. Stop coming in right before we close.
When you see we close in ten minutes, don't think to yourself "wow I'm so lucky I got here right in time." No, actually right in time was an hour ago. After we close we still have to do side work, which includes cleaning, wrapping silverware, etc. You are just delaying us to go home. Especially when you order a huge meal minutes before.
8. I cannot serve you an item that used to be on the menu that no longer is.
Many places have limited time meals such as holiday inspired entrees and desserts. However, if said items are no longer listed I cannot do anything for you.
9. When we say wait to be seated, we mean WAIT to be seated.
Just sit there and have some damn patience. It's not difficult.
We understand that crap happens and nobody is perfect. We do ask that you act like a civilized human being and have some consideration to the people taking your order, checking to see everything is okay, giving you your food and drinks, etc. We are here to serve you, so don't be an asshole.
