Working in the restaurant business is always hit - or - miss. Yeah, the money is fantastic - during "on-season" (when all of the snowbirds invade our paradise-like town for the winter). And sometimes, at least, if we get lucky, during the off - season, too.
I'll always tell people how I think everybody should work in the industry for at least 4 months, just to see what it's really all about and what we, as servers, have to put up with. I've worked in the food service industry since high school when I was scooping ice cream. But as I moved up and started working as a server in restaurants, I have met some of the most interesting, funniest, weirdest and rudest people I would have never encountered before. This is just a glimpse into the people I've come across in the past years:
1. People with children. This can vary. About once a week month, I'll encounter families who actually teach their children manners. And to not throw mac and cheese on the floor instead of putting it in their mouth. Every restaurant I've had the pleasure of working at had a "Kids Eat Free" night. Which sucks. And what is even worse is when the parent of the children who receives the free meal thinks they can get a side of fries or a bowl of lettuce for their kids free meal, then causes a scene about it. I'm gonna go with no...
2. People who ask a million questions and go with the first option. One thing I hate is, "What beers do you have on draft?" Considering there's a drink list right in front of you, I'm probably not going to list them all off because chances are you won't even pay attention to me and end up with a Bud Light. Or the people who make you bring samples of every dressing, just to choose ranch.
3. People who claim to be ready to order, but haven't even opened the menu. Sorry sir, but I'm not going to give you an in-depth description of every single item on the menu when I've got four other tables, two of which are trying to cash out with separate checks, one that is waving me down because their soup isn't hot enough, and the other one who just spilled a diet coke all over the place. So until you're ready to tell me exactly what it is you want to eat tonight, I'm going to walk away.
4. Picky people. The first restaurant I worked at was a Mexican restaurant, and a guest ordered a fajita. She wanted Every. Single. Thing. On a separate plate. Lettuce, pico, sour cream, cheese, guac, chicken, onions, and peppers. All on their own plate. Need I say more? I don't think so.
5. The modifiers. No offense to Burger King, but you cannot always have it your way. Sure, I'll take the bacon off of your salad or add extra tomatoes on your burger. But when it gets to the point that your order specifications take up more than half of a page in my book, I'm most likely going to stop listening. Sorry but I think you're capable of chopping your salad or cutting your burger in half yourself.
6. The verbal tipper. "Oh my God, you are simply amazing, this was the best service ever! Where is your manager?" *sends manager over* *manager applauds you for a job well done* *picks up credit card slip from a $170 tab* ...... cries. Cries because that $10 tip is crap and I end up loosing money off this table by the time tip out comes around. Thanks guys. I really appreciate ya.
7. The regular. Always orders the same drinks and the same foods. Always tips amazingly. Always provides a safe table to sit at hide at when the kitchen is crashing and tables are pissed their food isn't up. Buys you shots after work is off because they know the struggles you've endured over the past few hours. And basically, it is an amazing human who walks into the restaurant and makes your days brighter.
Which one are you...?
