Recently, I got a job as a waitress at Cracker Barrel. I had never had a waitressing job before, so this was a new experience for me. I had heard about the stress and demand of working in the food industry. Though I love my job there are downsides. I have rude customers, too many dishes to count, and I'm paid less than minimum wage. Ever since becoming a waitress I know what other waitresses and servers have to go through. I tend to treat my servers differently now. Here are three things you can do to be a better customer, according to a waitress.

1. Be patient.

Yes, we know you want your food as soon as you order. We know you're hungry. However, we don't cook the food and we can only bring it out to you after it's all completed. We're just one person trying to cater to so many requests.

2. Clean your tables.

No, we're not asking you to wipe it down, but stacking some plates and picking up your straw wrappers off the floor won't hurt you. This makes the tables easier to clean. And the quicker we can clean our tables, the quicker the next guest can come and eat.

3. Speak up.

Most times servers work in crowded, noisy spaces. We try to listen as best we can, but it's difficult. Try to speak clearly, that way we can ensure that your order is correctly without asking you over and over.

Be nice to your waiter because you never know what someone is going through. We get paid so little and deal with so much. On that note, tip your server! At the majority of resteraunts waiters get paid less that four dollars an hour!