After working for approximately two weeks in a restaurant as a hostess, I have learned a thing or two. I am already annoyed with certain aspects of the job (cough *dealing with the general public* cough).
First off, this is for the people who are utterly rude. I do not understand how you can walk in and demand to be seated right away when there were about ten other people in line in front of you. Also you do not realize if the restaurant is full, it is full. No, you cannot be seated at some magically hidden table. Sorry, there are no more tables available. And since I decide when and where you are seated, if you are nice then maybe I will put you at the prime seat right next to the window instead of right next to a wall where servers will be running back and forth out of the kitchen past you.
Secondly, to those who have large parties and do not call ahead; please just call ahead. For your sanity and mine, I will be able to plan my night around you if I know you are coming. I can save the largest table for you instead of seating a party of five there because I think that no one else will need it. This way you will be happy you get a nice table and I will not stress over pushing together tables and manipulating the floor plan to your liking. Please just call ahead. You will be seated faster and my brain will not explode due to stress.
Third, for those people who call while in the car to the restaurant, I'm onto you. I can tell you are in the car. The wait at the current moment will most definitely change by the time you arrive fifteen minutes later, so do not waste my time asking. Also I can hear the commotion in the back of the car, so please focus on driving rather than asking me for an inaccurate prediction of what the wait will be in fifteen minutes.
Also, to those who are carrying out; tips are appreciated. I do have to put your order in and call for it to be taken out, so why not tip me :) . You tip servers and deliverymen, but not to go orders, which is odd to me because we do to an extent the same thing as the others mentioned.
While so far I have only ranted about the negative, the general public can also be such a blessing to work with. It can brighten my day when people say goodbye to me at the hostess stand or politely ask for assistance. Sometimes, people can make my day so much better, which can often go under-appreciated. I love when customers make conversation with me instead of burying their head in their phone. To the people who do act decently toward the hostess, thank you. And to those who do not, please work on it. CUSTOMERS, you can determine the kind of service you get so please do not be rude.
