So I realize I rant quite a bit about my job as a server,
but to be honest there is quite a bit that irritates most servers and things
that patrons need to be educated on.
I understand not all servers are good hearted, or have
positive feelings towards your experience at their restaurant. I want to begin
by saying I genuinely care about my table’s experience and I typically go out
of my way to ensure your happiness, as well as my tip.
Lets begin.
-The company does not pay me; the only money I make is with
the tips I receive. The wage of 2.13 I get per hour is to cover taxes on the
tips. In the three years at my current job I have NEVER seen a pay check. Even
when I get paid to go to a meeting it only goes toward my taxes at the end of
the year. That being said, I typically owe several HUNDRED dollars during tax
season.
-Please know that most servers do not intentionally ignore
you. If we take a minute to get to the table it’s because we are taking care of
the other guests in the store. People tend to have some mindset that they are
our only table and if we are not there the second they need us we must be on
our phones or screwing around. There are other people who need refills, we have
to deliver food, and it takes more time than anyone realizes to pour eight
drinks!
Double Seating: When two tables get sat in one servers
section at the same time. (There is also such thing as triple seating,
quadruple seating, etc.)
This issue creates several problems.
-We have to
greet and give our whole scrip of drinks and such several times, grab double
the drinks, and make time to ring it all in. When tables order food it takes
time to get all the modifications and such figured out between them and their
server. Example: how do you want your steak/burger cooked, what side do you
want? Some people have allergies, I have to type all that in to assure no cross
contamination. Then people typically want 6 sauces to dip their fries in, or
have ten different things they do and don’t want on their
burger/salad/sandwich/etc. This takes time…
-The
concept of double seating can be done even when two tables are not sat at the
same time. People who take too long to decide what they want to eat and have me
come back 5 times before they choose makes it so I might get sat before they
figure it out, this makes me feel double seated because I have two tables who
are ready to order at the same time.
--When you
have a large group who straggles in and only one person arrives for the first
10 minutes, then I get another large table while the rest of your party decides
to come in it is like getting sat twice. Now I have to maneuver double the
drink orders and attempt to make sure everyone’s food gets sent back in a
timely manor.
Waiting to be seated:
-
I know it’s never fun to be put on a 20 minute
wait to then be sat and have to wait on food to be delivered. That’s the price
paid for going out to eat during dinner time.
-
If you enter a restaurant and are asked to wait
but see open tables do not complain. Being put on a wait is for the good of
everyone. It allows servers to give you the attention you deserve when there is
time for it. People who get sat during a busy rush and have to wait on their
server who has two other tables get angry too.
o
Keep in mind: we can only put down so many
fryers for your food, and only so many burgers/steaks/chicken breasts fit on
the grill at a time. The kitchen is limited on how much they can handle at
once. Your food is more likely to get cold or made incorrectly when there are
fifty other orders being made simultaneously.
A table of five came in a few days ago and became upset when
they were sat and it took more than a second to get a server to their table.
After two servers couldn’t possibly get to take care of them I stepped up and
took their orders and proceeded to kiss their butts for a tip at the end. The
table was annoyed their food took so long to be cooked, but like I mentioned we
can only cook so many things at a time. We make the food as it is rang in,
there is a chance there is a table of 10 whose food is before yours. The women
was beyond annoyed and by the end they basically got half their bill taken care
of because of their rewards card and their inability to manage its points
system. After both my manager and I basically took it up our butts to please
them they did leave me eight dollars on what was originally a 75-dollar bill. This
lady even had the nerve to complain it was too cold where they were seated. I
politely said “I’m sorry about that, we hardly notice it because we are running
around.” Here is an important note: your food will take a whole lot longer if
your server passes out from being over heated and needs medical attention….
BRING A SWEATER!
“We are in a hurry”:
This is the
most irritating phrase that can leave your mouth when you enter a SIT DOWN
restaurant. I will not be telling the kitchen to move along with your order,
nor will I give poor service to my other tables because you need to get to your
movie in 30 minutes.
There are
few ways to manage this situation for those who are in this “HURRY.”
1.
McDonalds is down the street.
2.
Manage your time better.
3.
We have to cook the food, unless you want it
cold don’t expect us to be quick about it.
4.
If you are in a hurry don’t take forever to
decide what you want to eat, the longer you take the more orders are going in
before yours.
5.
Cooking a burger or steak well done is not a
quick process, order it medium or order a salad.
I realize we live in a fast paced world, but we won’t
compromise the quality of our food because you need to take your kid to
baseball practice.
I’m NOT a mind reader:
I actually had a woman complain by
writing her concern on the check that she paid with. She said her food was cold
and it took too long to come out. Although we were not full as a restaurant it
was lunch and we only had on three servers and a bartender. I can only be in
one place at a time. If you have a problem with your food tell me!!! Otherwise
you have to deal with it. You can’t be mad if you don’t speak up. I would have
gladly remade it for her and had my manager take care of it. Mind you I stopped
by SEVERAL times asking how everything was and if they needed anything, its not
like I was sitting in the kitchen scratching my ass.
Wrapping up:
-If you
want a soda and a water you BETTER drink the water too… that’s heavy to carry
10 drinks to a table of five.
-If you are
in a HURRY take your butt to a FAST food place and come back when you can spare
the time.
-Realize
your server has other tables and you are not the center of the universe.
-Eat over
your plate, don’t be barbaric and leave trails of crumbs and ranch on the
table.
-If there
is no food at your table don’t ask for silverware… You aren’t cutting your ice;
give me a minute to get it to you!
-Bringing
in a flavor packet for your water is rude and frankly, we are judging you!
-If you are
cheap you better not tip like it
-If you tip
poorly, or not at all, we will remember you and you will NOT get good service
the next time.
-When you sit down figure out what you want to eat, don't leave the menu closed and have a long conversation. You can talk while you wait on your food. If I have to come back more than twice for you to decide I will give you TONS of time to figure it out!!!!!
-We are
people too. Our job title is Server NOT Servant.
-If you
have children or teenagers you allow to come in on their own explain to them
what a tip is. We don’t take kindly to six kids all with water splitting sides
of fries and paying in quarters.
-Don’t come
in with a bad attitude. I’m not able to do anything about the day at work you
had, or the jerk that cut you off. Being rude to me will not fix a single thing
about your earlier endeavors. Order a beer and pipe down.
- Compliments don't pay my bills. If you think I'm great express that in a tip NOT by saying so with 10% on the side.
PPPS: Feel free to comment with your experiences of serving
below.
AND ALWAYS TIP YOUR SERVERS!
Keep it Sassy
