The first and only job I've ever had was as a hostess, bus girl, to-go person, mascot and waitress at my local Red Robin. Working in a restaurant for four years has taught me numerous things. As a hostess, you learn that wait times are literally the biggest decision you can make. As a busser, you learn that kids throw more food on the floor than they eat. As the mascot, you learn that seeing out of a giant bird beak isn't as easy as you would have imagined. But doing all of these jobs has moved me up in the burger serving game to be the waitress I am today. Not only does having this job give me a sense of responsibility and self-accomplishment, but it has also taught me many things about the restaurant scene that I had never noticed before...
1. When the food takes forever, it is not the server's fault.
I don't cook your food. If that was the case, the restaurant would have burst into flames by now. Please don't use the amount of time your food takes to get to you as an excuse to leave me a lousy tip.
2. This may come as a shock to people, but when I am smiling and nodding while you are complaining, it's fake.
I'm sorry that you didn't like your food, but I didn't order it for you. Of course I want to help you, but it's hard when you're speaking to me like a 2 year-old.
3. If you're seated at a table, sit there.
If you wanted a booth, you should have told the hostess. She would have put you at a booth. When you swap tables on your own, that creates a world of chaos in the server rotation. And yes, server rotation is a thing.
4. Tips mean a lot, but nice people mean a lot more (sometimes).
When the lady who came in before you spent her hour in the restaurant complaining to me about the amount of salt on her french fries, all I'm really praying for is that the next guest at my table has a smile on their face.
5. Learn the waitress' name and at least try to seem interested.
"Hi guys, how are you? My name is Steph. Welcome to R--"
"Water."
Oh, OK. Would you like ice in that? Or do you want me to pour it directly onto your lap?
6. The servers do not have control over the AC unit.
When you ask me to adjust the temperature of the entire restaurant for you, I'm saying yes but really, I have zero power to do that.
7. If your service was good, leave the nice man or lady a tip.
No one wants to spend his/her day dealing with greasy fries and rude guests complaining about prices and the temperature of their soup. But waiters and waitresses take the time out of their day to make your experience the best it can be, so tip them. They deserve that.
8. Work friends are the best friends.
When you're all about to walk out the door screaming and throwing a hissy fit, you remember that you have the best coworkers ever and they're the real reason you stay. They've seen you in the best mood ever and the worst mood ever, and they're still there to back you up for all of it.
9. People skills are everything.
Giving a sticker to a little girl before she leaves or helping a mom carry her to-go food to her crowded minivan are things that people really appreciate. A server can make or break a person's day more than you think, so why not make their day a great one?
