After working in the restaurant industry, I have gained a new amount of respect for every server who will ever wait on me at any restaurant again. I think everyone should have to work in a restaurant before they are rude or judge their server. Everyone should have to experience what it's like to deal with the public when it comes to food. Here are some of the things I have learned and experienced working in the industry, from the front door to the kitchen.

When the host greets you and says welcome in, don't just stare at them. They are there for a reason so don't seat yourself. Also, the host doesn't know how many people are in your party until you tell them. If you need any special accommodations, like a table instead of a booth, tell them before they take you to a booth. Once the host has taken you to your table or booth, just sit where they take you. They took you there for a reason not just because they felt like it. Is it really going to kill you to sit at a smaller booth or in the back? Lastly, if the hosts tell you they are on a wait, don't freak out. They probably have reservations or there is a specific reason they need a few minutes, they are just trying to do their job!

When the server comes over to your table, don't be rude. They are there to serve you and give you a pleasant dining experience, not be your servant. You are not better than them and you are not entitled. Don't give them a hard time, the nicer you are to them, the nicer they will be to you. When it comes to ordering your food, order off the menu, don't create your own meal. It is served a certain way for a reason. Asking for dressing on the side or extra ranch is fine, but don't order taco salad if they don't even serve that. All your doing to being annoying. Lastly, don't be cheap. If you can't tip at least 20 percent then don't go out to eat. That is the servers paycheck and they have been doing everything to take care of you. Also, if the restaurant is busy and your done eating, don't sit and talk for three hours; someone is waiting on you to leave.

The last thing I want to say about working in a restaurant is that the people who work in the kitchen cooking your food and preparing everything for the day are the hardest working people there. They come in really early and stay really late just to make sure you can eat. They work in the really hot kitchen and cater to everyone's needs all day. They even cook food for all the employees. They never hear about the good food, only the things that are complained about. So next time you go out to eat, don't complain about the size of the chicken chunks in your chopped chicken salad because someone is standing back there over the hot grill cutting up the chicken for you.

So many people have no idea how hard they make it for us to work in the restaurant industry. I hope after reading this it is easier to understand some of what we encounter on a daily basis, and that next time you go out to eat you won't be one of the people who make us want to quit our jobs. To all of my friends who work in a restaurant, I hope this article can make you laugh a little because I know you have experienced all of this.