Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Waiting

I'm sure most of the people that know me know that I am a server. I wait tables at a small family owned business called The Pizza Cookery. I love working there! It is a really nice chill laid back job. I love the people I work with, I love the food, and I love that I actually have a job when so many people don't!

Although I love my job I also HATE it at times! Since it is a small restaurant we have many "regulars" that come in at least once or twice a week. Most of them are friendly and nice, which is great, but there are those that expect just because they eat there once a week you should bend over backwards for them. I mean just short of putting a bib on them and spoon feeding them.

This blog is for all of those out there who go into restaurants and make a server's night a living hell... I'm going to make a list of things most servers hate, so we can all learn from it! (The list may grow as time goes on.) And by all means if you have anything to add say it... I'll most likely put it down on the list!

Most servers hate....

---> When there is a bright pink sign right in front as you walk in that says "Please Wait to be Seated" and you seat yourself, then proceed to get mad when you are not gotten to right away.

---> If a server comes to the table and asks if everything is alright you just sit and stare at him/her.

---> When you see a server is pre-busing your table and his/her hands are full but you decide to keep piling the dishes up on what he/she already has in his/her hands.

---> If a server comes up to your table and asks if you need anything, and you need a refill, you shake your empty glass instead of using your words.

---> When you yell across the restaurant for anything, especially when he/she was just at your table and asked you if you needed anything.

---> When you get GREAT service and you only tip 10%.

---> When you don't leave a tip for good service, and on top of that you make a game out of it and put a smiley face on the tip line of the credit card receipt.

---> When you lower the tip you give because you were not impressed with the food. (The servers didn't make your food for crying out loud!)

---> When it is FREEZING outside and you sit with the front door of the restaurant open for a long time waiting for your slow party behind you.

---> When you just sit there and talk for more than 30 minutes after you finish your meal.

---> If you walk in 10 minutes before the restaurant closes.

---> When you talk down to them as if they don't understand what you're saying. (Most servers are going to school and have more education than most of the rude people that do this.)

---> If you ask for free bread refills 3 or 4 times and all you order is a water and the cheapest thing on the menu.

3 comments:

Ryan said...

The only one I have an issue with is this one:

"When you just sit there and talk for more than 30 minutes after you finish your meal."

I can see that being bad if the restaurant is busy so you as a server are getting less people in your section or whatever, but is it really a big deal on a slow night? I've never been a waiter, but restaurants seem to me to be a place to socialize with the people you're with, not just to eat and leave.

I will concede that if one stays a really long time a better than usual tip should be left.

justin hileman said...

"When it is FREEZING outside and you sit with the front door of the restaurant open for a long time waiting for your slow party behind you."

... You live in California, Karen. Stop whining ;)

Karenvizzy said...

Ryan... I do understand your point... and I should have put longer than an hour, because that's a bit outrageous... there are other places you can go like starbucks right across the street that have places you can sit and chat. I do understand a restaurant is where you go to socialize as well as eat. My main issue with this is when it's busy and people aren't courteous to the restaurant.

Justin... uhhh it can still be cold in so-cal! I mean it got down to 48 degrees last night... and It can be cold by Southern California standards. And it's windy here... making it feel colder. Wait why am I defending myself... It was cold just know that!