Believe it or not, there is a lot of work that goes into being a server at a busy restaurant. Between the long hours, the low wages and crazy customers, a server can easily be irritated. Customers sometimes seem to forget that we are humans, too, with actual feelings. They also seem to forget that this is our job, so the money you tip is what we survive on. We don't purposely slow down your meal process for our own entertainment, trust me, sometimes we wish we could cook the food ourselves.
So if you ever catch your server during a dinner rush, or actually take the time to observe what is going on around you, you might learn to respect us a little more and not commit these restaurant etiquette crimes.
1. You screamed "water with lemon" before they could even introduce themselves.
Now we get it-- you're thirsty. But it would be nice if you took the time to get to know our names before yelling commands at us.
2. You took 30 minutes to order during dinner rush, and still weren't ready when they came to your table.
Unfortunately, you usually aren't the only guests we have on a busy night.
3. You let your child scream for 2 hours without doing anything.
As much as we love listening to the beautiful harmonies of your 4-year-old screaming "mommy", it's not only an annoyance to us, but a distraction to the others around you as well.
4. You came in 5 minutes before close.
By the end of the night, we are exhausted and just want to go home. You really couldn't go somewhere that was 24 hours?
5. You had a party of 15 with all separate checks.
Having a party can be both a blessing and a curse, but when it's all teenagers who are paying separate and with coins, you kind of want to run away.
6. You decided to complain about your meal after you consumed 90 percent of it.
Some people will do anything for free food.
7. You argued about a price with the server, who clearly has nothing to do with pricing.
I'm sorry you feel like you were over-charged for your wings, but I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
8. You stayed way too long.
We are so glad you decided to pick our restaurant to rekindle with your long lost cousin, but we have tables to turn and tips to be made.
9. You took both the merchant and the customer copy of the receipts.
We have to prove you tipped us on the receipt. No receipt = no tip.
10. You stole their pens.
[Goes into work with 20 pens, leaves with none.]
11. You LOVED the service, but tipped under 10 percent.
Usually, when one loves the service, they leave a little more than $1.
12. You didn't tip at all.
Just because your food didn't come out the way you liked it, does not mean you punish your server.
So there you have it-- a few reasons why your server may hate you. Bad service is unacceptable, but so is bad customers. Don't be that guy.
