Please Be Nice to Strangers

My recent work week has produced this unnecessary rant I am about to begin.
I am not sure if it is because of the hot weather and humidity, but recently people have been indescribably unbearable.

I am a waitress at a local family restaurant who wants nothing but to give my customers a pleasant experience and fill their empty stomachs with some good food. The most difficult part of creating this pleasant experience is dealing with people over and over again who are rude and ungrateful. After so many rude costumers it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a pleasant, happy attitude and to brush off the rude behavior. I will be nothing but nice to anyone I meet, and I really would appreciate to receive the same treatment.

Now to explain what this rude behavior is, I will start with the simple gestures people give which are not appreciated. Let’s begin with the very beginning of the dining experience, as I greet you with a smile at your table I would love to know how your day is going, but I do not appreciate when I ask “how are you today?” and the response is, “I want a coffee.” Now not only did you completely ignore what I said, you also demanded something in such a way as I feel more of a slave than a willing worker. Even if you are having a bad day you can tell me, you do not have to even ask me how I am, but please do not just ignore me like I do not matter.

I do not even expect “please and thank you” as long as you are not barking orders at me and demanding things from me without any consideration. Along with that, please do not snap at me to get my attention, I have a name and I introduced myself, please be kind to that. Also, if I am at another table and am talking to them or getting their order, please do not snap and holler to get my attention, I will get to you as soon as I am done at this table.

One of my biggest pet peeves is people tend to believe the world revolves around only them, you are not my only table, you are not my only costumer, please take that into consideration. Sometimes we will get busy all at once, and it might take me a little longer but please just take into consideration everything that is going on. I am not here to be your personal servant or slave, I am here to give you a pleasant dining experience while serving you delicious food to nourish your appetite, please give me respect.

The bottom line is I would love to be respected and treated fairly at my job. I am working for $2.83 an hour, while serving, cleaning, bussing, hosting, and trying to deal with difficult people. I will never complain about a tip I receive (unless I do not receive one) I promise you I tried my best and was nice as possible, so please address that. Just please be nice to strangers, or stay home!