I have been working in a restaurant for little over 6 months and it has been one of the biggest learning experiences I have had so far in my life. I have learned people can be awful as soon as they walk into a restaurant. There are so many things I want to say to people while at work, but I can't. So, here are a few Do's and Don'ts for those who dine in restaurants.
First of all, Respect.
This is probably the number one thing that is thrown out the door as soon as people walk inside. I'm human, you're human, let's act like we have even just a little bit of respect for each other. Please answer my questions when I ask, I don't want to waste your time and hopefully you know I have 10 other things I could be doing right now. Your server wants to give you the best service they can, but when you bark orders at them and treat them like trash I'm pretty sure they don't want to be nice either. Don't blame your server for everything because most likely it isn't their fault. If you are nice to them they will be nice to you. Simple.
Open Your Mouth
No, not to eat, but if you need something. I can't read your mind and if I could I would not be working here. If you have an allergy, tell me. If you don't like something, tell me. If I forgot something, tell me. Don't get all huffy and silent and then decide to call a manager over about one little thing. We can fix simple problems if you just say something and I would be more than happy to fix it. However, while telling me something that needs to be fixed, be polite. This is not the end of the world- it's food.
Act Like An Adult
If you act like a child, you need to be one first. Don't yell at me calling me an idiot because your table isn't ready, I know a lot of 8 year olds that could come up with better insults than that. I don't care that you are paying a lot of money to eat here, you can still act like a grown man or woman and not a spoiled little kid. I'm an adult, you're an adult. So let's act like it, shall we?
Don't Say Stupid Stuff
By this I mean, when you eat almost or all of your food and then say, "I didn't like it, can you take it off my bill?" No, no I won't. Also don't tell me you hate the food and are never coming back- please, don't. Don't tell me you want a booth, then when I walk you over to a booth, you decide to pick one yourself and say, "I wanted to have a booth by the window". The window? What, so you can have a pleasant view of the parking lot? Lasty, don't nag me about when your next to be seated or why another party who came in after you got seated first. Two possible reasons are: they had a reservation or their party 2 is easier to seat than your party of 9.
TIP
This is another thing servers cannot stand is when you don't tip or tip so little it's not even worth it. If you can spend $100 on one meal then I'm sure you can fork over at least 15% for your server. Even if your server was forgetful or maybe they had a little attitude, but you have no idea what is going in their life. This could be their second job and have been on their feet for 12 hours straight. Leave your server a little something. They are trying to get by in life, pay bills, maybe even take care of a family. However, don't leave these as a tip: your phone number (if I thought you were cute I would have given it first), a note saying "Sorry I'm broke" (if you're out to eat obviously not), $1 or $2 tips (so you want me to go get soda at the gas station around the corner and that's it?), and lastly anything less than $1 (why? Well it's because it's absolutely annoying that's why.)
There you go, now you can go into the restaurant world and will never be hated. Remember that servers, hosts, bartenders, managers, and kitchen staff are all people mistakes can happen, but at the end of the day it's just food.
