Every day, millions of people go out to eat and those people would not receive any sort of dining experience without the help of their server. And if we're being completely honest here, we both know you're one of those people. Servers do far more than people who have never worked in the restaurant industry assume they do, and it's time to talk about how servers are getting treated.

I can't even count how many times I've read online social media posts saying "I don't go out to eat to pay a server a tip. They chose this job knowing they would get $2 an hour and chose to apply anyway." Saying things like this is just degrading and disrespectful.

Something that many people need to start understanding is that not every server chose to work that job and for many of them, that's the only job they can get at the time.

Your server could be serving you food as their second job trying their absolute hardest to have dinner on the table for their family if they even make it home for dinner because they're not guaranteed to get out of the restaurant at a scheduled time.

Your server could be somebody who was recently homeless and has been trying to work their way back into employment, taking the first steps at gaining a better life so that they could have maybe even the opportunity to be able to go out to eat like you are.

Your server could be a college student, working that job in the summers or on the weekends to make enough money to get them through college so they can get, as what you might call, "a real job". Nobody knows the background to a server's life. Nobody knows what came before or what lies ahead. But, something everybody should know is that a server does not deserve to get stiffed if they have given you a positive dining experience.

Now, this article isn't an article telling you to tip your server. That's a whole different topic that I could write a sequel of articles on. This article is about how servers are getting treated in their workplace and how things need to start changing. I say these things, not only based off my experiences as a server alone, but also off of those of my friends, friends' parents/families, and my coworkers.

But change won't begin without knowledge of what being a server is like.

They show up at the restaurant an hour to an hour and a half before the restaurant opens to prep for the entire day that is going to take place. As they serve tables, they are continuously doing running side work to keep the restaurant in order so that you can be served. When they aren't at your table for more than 5 minutes, they aren't blowing you off or trying to give you a bad experience, they are just at another table or doing something that is vital to be done that will even make a dining experience possible.

Many servers work doubles, meaning instead of your typical 5-8 hour work day, they are working 12-hour shifts, scarfing down lunch in between taking tables. And, at the end of the night once all the customers are gone, they stick around to clean the restaurant after the eventful day it's had and to prep the restaurant for the next round of servers that will come in the morning, which is usually themselves. Servers are also on their feet all day every day, running around with no time to stop and rest. They barely even have time to run to the bathroom during a shift.

Many servers are often harassed. This is hardly ever acknowledged as an issue because, in many customers minds, we're like their servants in a way. However, we're real people, too. A server is bound to make a mistake occasionally, or not catch something that a cook may have messed up, but that does not make them bad at their job. It makes them human. And if you order drinks, and end up getting drunk, it is not an excuse to start being mean or making your server feel uncomfortable.

There are far too many servers in this world who have been put in uncomfortable situations simply because their table is too drunk. They don't know your alcohol tolerance, and even though they're legally allowed to cut you off, it's scary to do that sometimes because you never know how a drunk person may react. So, if you decide to get drunk on your night out, at least drink responsibly and treat your server with respect without putting them in an awkward or uncomfortable situation.

A server is not going to ignore your needs. They have eyes and can see when you need a refill on your drink. There is no need to snap your fingers at them, wave your cup in the air, or yell at them for not getting to you fast enough. They try their best and they have feelings. No server wants their tables to be thirsty or upset, but they can't get to two places at once. And let your server pass everything out before you start asking for extra things. When you bombard a server with a billion of things as they're trying to pass out food before it gets cold, they will not remember what you asked for.

Lastly, if there ever is a problem, people need to understand the proper way to address an issue. Misunderstandings do happen, and problems do arise, but the way about it isn't to cause a scene or refuse to pay for food you've eaten. If something you ordered isn't right, or you just don't like it, grab your server's attention and let them know what's wrong. They don't make the food and aren't always able to catch small mistakes a cook might've made, and any decent server would be happy to bring you something that you enjoy better.

Know that it's not their fault and trust them to fix the issue. In more severe cases, if you have a server who just clearly isn't doing their job, or if there is a major problem with how something was done, grab a manager. They will always listen to what the customer has to say, and they have more power than the server to adjust your tab or offer extra things.

With all of this being said, respect your servers. They want you to have a great dining experience just as much as you want to have one. They run around trying to accommodate you and your needs, but they can't always be in two places at once. If you need to grab their attention, do it respectfully, don't get their attention in ways that make them feel like a dog. Be responsible when drinking and don't let intoxication affect the way you treat your server. Be patient and understand that your server is responsible for multiple tables, not just yours. And if an issue ever does arise, approach it with respect.

Don't make your server feel like a terrible person because they forgot to bring you ketchup. Address problems in a way that makes the environment comfortable for both parties. Servers do a lot to contribute to people's experiences and it's about time that they start getting treated with more respect.