As every server can tell you, there are three types of customers. Some are great, the staff loves them and their day gets better after talking to them for a while. Many people are indifferent – they’re getting a meal or just grabbing a drink with a friend, and the server is simply part of the scene. But then, there is the third type. The dreaded third type. Sometimes, these people are arrogant. Sometimes, these people are rude. Sometimes, these people are just plain nightmares. These are the people that drive servers wild. How do you not be this Third-Type Customer? Avoid these eight things at all costs:

1) No-to-Little Tips

Everyone hears this all the time, but we make our money on tips. As a server, I make $2.80 an hour from my employer – every single cent of which goes to taxes. So, to make any money whatsoever, I need tips. Unless I offended you horribly, the service was terrible, or there really was a major issue, please be considerate of those tending to your every need.

2) Leave a Mess on the Floor

One of the best things about eating out is not having to clean up afterwards. I get that. It is part of my job to clean your table, get your dishes, and whatnot, I can deal with that. But, when you somehow manage to dump half of your chips, or drop every single straw wrapper and napkin that you encountered under your chair, that is just rude. Those sort of cleaning supplies aren’t readily available usually. Not to mention, it affects other customers…no one wants to sit in your mess.

3) Pull Strings

When customers instantly tell you that they know the owner, or the manager the interaction becomes a test. On one hand, it is sort of nice to know to be on my best behavior with you, but on the other hand, when you try to get an extra side of fries for free because you’re neighbors with my boss, it puts me in a tough situation because I don’t know of any arrangements and can’t make exceptions on my own call.

4) Change Their Order when Food Comes

If we got your order wrong, or something isn't cooked right, then I have no problem bringing it back because that’s my fault. But when the exact burger you ordered, with everything that was listed on the menu included, comes out and then you ask me to bring it back and put it on a different roll, without any of the toppings and half the amount of sauce, it becomes an issue – not just for me, but for the cook, too. Be confident in your order, please.

5) Ask if We Serve Things Not on the Menu

Servers rarely have anything to do with the menu; especially changes on it. I’m really sorry if your favorite sandwich from last year isn’t being served anymore, but if you don’t see it listed, we don’t serve it. Begging me to go ask the chef to specially make it for you, too, is not going to do anything.

6) Expect Us to Know "Your Regular"

On my second day at a work, a man I've never seen before told me that he wanted his "regular" and was offended when I didn't know what that was. We see dozens of people in a day, as much as we'd like to, we can't remember everyone and what they order. Cut us some slack sometimes, please.

7) Order Before Being Addressed

Nothing annoys me more than being snapped at, or yelled at as I’m behind the bar or walking by a table. It’s one thing if I’m not doing anything else, but if I’m delivering food to another table, it clearly is not the most convenient time for me to take your order. Just because you finally made up your mind does not mean the world stopped. Please remember that, and we will get to you as soon as we can.