I recently got hired as a waitress about two months ago. I've heard a lot of stories from friends and my mom who used to serve down the shore when she was in college, but until I experienced serving at a restaurant for myself, they were just funny stories to laugh at.
To start off, the people who don't tip are very real and very frustrating. As a waitress, you don't get paid minimum wage at most places, and all the money you make is from your tips. Now, when you get a table who orders a bunch of food, multiple rounds of drinks and spends the entire time complimenting the food and thanking you, you would expect a good tip. More often than not, that is the case. However, you'd be surprised at how many people don't tip after raving about the food and service. Personally, it makes me mad because I'm busting my butt for people who apparently aren't very appreciative.
Another story turned reality is the amount of inappropriate remarks and actions made. I am 19 years old, and there are younger girls serving at the restaurant I work at, and we don't need men who are double our age hitting on us or making inappropriate comments about our appearance. We especially don't need them touching our arms or anywhere else while ordering. If they want to be nice, they should tip us well instead of making us feel uncomfortable in our workplace. It isn't just men. Women can be touchy and grab our arms while working too, and that's equally as unwarranted and inappropriate.
To be honest, the saying "the customer is always right" seems to be applicable to everything in their eyes. To an extent, we can cater to a customer's needs and try to make their experience perfect, but sometimes it just isn't doable. For example, if something isn't listed on our menu, there's a good chance we don't have it. Please don't get mad at your server if we have to tell you the cook can't do something or that we're out of something. It's not our fault, so don't shoot the messenger.
There are a lot of things I've learned in my short time as a waitress, but the bottom line is if we provide good service with no major issues, we should be tipped at least 15 percent, not harassed and not complained to. This is our job, and most of us try as hard as we can to do it well so we can make money. When we aren't tipped, or someone says something rude to us, it ruins our night, but we still have to put a smile on, go back out there and keep doing our job.
To everyone who treats us with respect and kindness, thank you. You are all the customers who make our days/nights and make our lives a little easier. To those who don't, don't be surprised if I don't want to take your table next time you walk in.
