Dear Rude Customer,

You walk in expecting your party of 15 to be sat right away, knowing full well that not one table in the restaurant can accommodate a group that size. There is already a wait of around thirty minutes, and it’s a Friday night.

Oh, and yes! I can see that you have hungry children; you’re letting them run rampant throughout the restaurant, and no, it’s not cute. It’s just annoying.

Having worked in a restaurant not only throughout high school but also part of my college career as well, I have seen plenty of customers just like you. You bark your name at me as if you’re too good to be put on a wait list, and you stand directly in front of the host stand, staring at me as I just try to do my job.

There is nothing funny about being rude to the staff. Your dad doesn’t deserve your approving laughter as he harasses every host about how he should’ve been seated at a table ten minutes ago.

Your hostess can’t control how long it takes for a customer to get up from their meal, just as your server can’t control how long it takes the kitchen to cook your steak. The majority of us are college students- we’re working to put ourselves through school.

I’m not trying to ruin your night out, but I can’t bump your party to the top of the list, and I can’t prioritize your food. I’m just trying to get through my shift.

The phrase, “if you don’t have enough money to tip, you shouldn’t eat out” is legitimate. Tips are our livelihood, especially since we barely get paid five dollars an hour. This money is how I buy my textbooks and groceries.

You sit in your server’s section for hours- shouting over the table so your great aunt can hear you and complaining that the chairs are too hard. You don’t even note that your server is running around for you. They’re refilling over 15 glasses with drinks of different variety and balancing multiple hot plates on their arms.

You ask for the check to be split 25 different ways and then every single member of your party slashes a line through “Tip.”

You continue to sit at your table for an additional hour and a half. The wait is growing because your party is taking up four tables.

So as you walk out of my restaurant tonight, and ignore me as I tell you, “Have a good night!” know that I hope the door hits you on your way out.

Sincerely,

Your restaurant staff