Restaurants. They provide a place to catch up with old friends over Philly cheesesteaks, impromptu dinners for busy families and the go-to spot for celebrations. But restaurants don’t run by themselves. From the managers that are required to solve any problems to the cooks that prepare those steaming steaks, there are a lot of people that make the restaurant experience possible. Today, let’s focus on the hands that refill your drinks, bring you extra ketchup and make sure that you’re happy before you leave the building. That’s right, I’m talking about the servers and here are 8 things that every server wants you to know.
1. Don’t shake your cup for a refill -- I’m not blind
You wouldn’t shake your half empty glass at your mama, now would you? I didn’t think so. I strive to make sure your drink never falls below the halfway mark and if I’m coming for a refill, don’t shake your cup in the air at me. I’m a person, not a dog and this person would be more than happy to fill the remaining half of your drink before you thirst to death.
2. Don’t tip poorly (or not at all) because you didn’t like your food
Didn’t like the particular item you chose to eat? Happens to the best of us when we try something new. Choose a different item next time but don’t fail to compensate your server because of your preferences.
3. Don’t demand a refund after you ate majority of a food that you "didn’t like"
Again, we all run across items that fall short of our expectations. If there’s a problem with the food, I’m sure the restaurant would love to fix it for you. However, demanding a refund for food that you already ate is ridiculous.
4. Don’t respond with your drink order when I ask how you’re doing
You wouldn’t respond with "diet coke" when any other person asks how you’re doing and I’m sure you wouldn’t continue talking either so why do it to the person bringing you your food?
5. I don’t make the prices
So many customers complain about the price of items when receiving the check when the menu clearly stated the prices. Don’t complain to your server about the price of the food when that is something out of their control.
6. Don’t eat out if you can’t afford to tip
Often the customers that want extra teriyaki sauce and everything under the sun are also the people that leave a 1.00 tip. Servers make 2.13 an hour. They spend 30+ minutes serving customers to make 3.13? That averages 18 dollars for a 6 hour shift. I’ll say no more.
7. Don’t play with your trash
I want to provide you great service. How can I do that when I’m busy picking the 50 morsels of your straw wrapper off the ground that you so graciously decided to shred to pieces.
8. I love serving you
I love my job and all that comes with it but as a customer, I am very conscious that I don’t make a person’s job more difficult than it has to be. I don’t go to a grocery store and ask my cashier to pick all of my items off of the floor nor do I go to a gas station and leave the gas nozzle on the ground. So be conscious and gracious, not only to those to serve you, but to everyone that you encounter.
