I’ve realized there are two types of people in this world. Those who have worked in the customer service or restaurant business and those who surely have not.

I know you have never worked in a restaurant when you walk into my place of employment, a small local pizza place, demanding a sparkling water with a lemon and a lime while your two 13-year-old children yell at me simultaneously what they want to drink and eat.

I know you have never worked in a restaurant when I ask politely, “How are you?” and in return, I receive blank stares for a few seconds and then, “I want a Coke and she’ll have a Diet.”

I know you have never worked in a restaurant when it has been four hours and you are still sitting at the same table, in my same section while I am waiting for you to go so I can go home too.

I know you have never worked in a restaurant because when you see me with my hands full of dishes and drinks, you insist on handing me your bill.

.

I know you have never worked in a restaurant when you come in 20 minutes before close with a group of 15 people and tip less than 5% of your bill.

I know you have never worked in a restaurant when you let your 4-year-old child color on the table and shrug because I’m going to clean it up afterward anyway.

I know you have never worked in a restaurant when you stiff me even though I thought I was doing well and in return, you were polite too.

I know you have never worked in a restaurant when you, not once, say please or thank you which can be awkward for me and a bit disappointing.

I know you have never worked in a restaurant when you walk past the “Please wait to be seated” sign and proceed to seat yourself.

But then I came to another conclusion, maybe it is not the experiences one has, maybe it is the lack of dining or social etiquette one has. It is not easy for someone who has worked in a restaurant to forget the bothersome details and the impolite customers. For me and a lot of other servers, it forces me to give back because I know how burdensome serving can be. It can be strenuous to keep smiling even when young children are yelling, “WAITRESS, clean up this mess!” and the parents are standing by blankly, not knowing their children are following in their same footsteps.

I doubt these people genuinely do not know how to act in a restaurant. Was this lesson never taught? Do parents not teach their kids how to act in restaurants anymore? If so, I’ve lost all hope! As a young child, I was excited to go out to eat because I liked how everyone acted so cordial and proper, even if the restaurant was more casual than upscale. But today, I experience more disappointment than good impressions, unfortunately. Don't get me wrong, those good impressions are worth it -- even if I only get one my entire shift, I’m grateful because I know people with manners still exist, not just eating-robots.

I am so relieved when I apologize to someone about their wait and thank them for being patient they reply with, “It’s all right, I can see you’re busy.” It can be extremely comforting because other responses are not as great and understanding.

I am so grateful for those customers who say, “ I know you’re busy, but when you get a chance…” Of course, thank you so much for using manners.

The customers who see you’re flustered and make sure to tell you you’re doing a great job. It gives me the motivation I need not to quit.

It overjoys me there are still amiable customers out there. It is important to have dining etiquette. Many servers wait tables as a career and are paid less than minimum wage. According to Jo Craven McGinty’s "Tips Don’t Add Up For Most Waiters and Waitresses", in some places, payment on the clock for servers can be as low as $2.13. Servers have to be excellent at their job in order to receive payment. There is no slacking if we want to get payed. It is essential to leave a tip because it is how many servers earn the majority of their income.

Even though I do not fall into the category of serving as my future, permanent job, I am still working to save money for furthering my education and paying bills. Many people have the misconception that anyone working as a waiter or waitress do not have a high school diploma or are incapable of achieving anything else in life. Many of the people I have met from working in a restaurant are probably some of the smartest and diverse people. Some are college students, some are taking a break from college, some are straight out of high school and some are high school students. Whoever they are, it should not matter. They know how to handle difficult customers, they strategically know where to seat people if there is a long line in order to get everyone sat and many of them have a great memory. Most importantly, we make sure you have everything you need to enjoy your meal.

So, please be mindful when going out to eat. Realize your waiter or waitress is doing their best. Be patient, be polite. And if you see they did a fantastic job, leave them a generous tip keeping in mind the total of your bill. From a cheerful, hardworking, server, proper dining etiquette does not go unappreciated.