During my three years as a hostess and countless conversations with friends in the restaurant industry, I've heard just about every restaurant horror story there is. If you like going out to eat, great! (It means that I have a job). But before you do, here are some things us restaurant workers want you to know. Make our lives easier and take a look.
1. Please, please don't be that person that walks in 10 minutes before closing.
It's incredibly inconsiderate, and we will all hate you.
2. Be courteous to your servers.
When they ask how the food is or introduce themselves, pay attention to them. When they come to take your order, make sure the people in your party are ready. And for god's sake, treat them like human beings. Don't snap your fingers to get your server's attention or shake your glass when you want a refill. They're your server, not your slave.
3. The customer doesn't come first, our coworkers do.
I've had multiple customers come and complain about my coworkers, call them names and say they are horrible people. First of all, name calling? Really? Second of all, the server you just insulted is the same one I sit and chat with on breaks every day. The people at this job are basically our family, and we will always have each others' backs. If you think your complaint abut how someone took too long with your food is going to change anything, you've got another thing coming.
4. Don't ask to change your seat.
I get that you didn't necessarily get the nicest table in the room, but I promise there is a reason why you were seated there. The hostesses have to manage seating arrangements so that every server has the same number of people, we don't just plop you at any old table. If you are particular about where you would like to sit we're more than happy to arrange that, just request it in the reservation.
5. Yelling at the hostess/ server will do nothing.
You think the food was bad or your order was messed up? Not your server's fault. You think the restaurant's prices are ridiculous? The hostess can't change that. Don't take your anger at the management on the people at the bottom. We have no power. Please don't yell at us.
6. Cut your server some slack.
Your table is not the center of the universe, and on a busy night a server is busting their butt working several tables, giving each table equal attention and making sure everyone has an enjoyable time. Likewise, that means the kitchen has several tables' worth of food to cook for. If your order isn't ready in record time or your server doesn't immediately come to your table, sit back, enjoy your company, and chill. We promise we are doing our best.
7. Your tips really do matter.
Whether it's just a couple extra dollars on a takeout order or that 20 percent tip at the end of a meal, we appreciate every. Single. Dollar. This is not just a few extra dollars. This is our livelihood; that tip is going towards gas, or college tuition, or even to feed a family. As the saying goes: If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out.
8. Just know that if you're an a**hole, you will become a laughingstock.
Congrats, you got your super-specific table, you made your server's life hell so that your every need was immediately tended to, and you flirted incessantly with the hostesses, making them extremely uncomfortable. You also just became the punch line, the next bit of gossip for the staff to make fun of and to mock for months on end. But like I said, congrats on getting what you wanted.
9. If you're party is more than 3 or 4 people, always make a reservation.
You will save everyone so much stress an aggravation. Not just the hostesses, who have to find a place for your large table, but the servers who have to prep for a larger party. And even if you are just 2 people, you should still probably call anyway. Seriously.
10. If you're nice to us, we will bend over backwards for you.
Despite complaining about this industry for basically this whole article, I promise we really do like our jobs. We work in this business because we like helping people and we genuinely WANT you to have a nice time. If you're nice to the staff, say please and thank you, and treat us with respect, we will do everything in our power to make sure you have a good experience.
