I’ve been working at a restaurant as a cashier this summer and I absolutely love it. I’ve learned a ton, gained valuable communication skills, and have made some great friends. Even with that being said, I still have my fair share of grievances, many of which I have in common with a lot of people who have worked in the industry. When I realized this, I knew I had to compile a list. It may seem like a whole lot of complaining, but take a second and think about the time you’ve spent in a restaurant. If you’re anything like me, they might be some of the best because, hey, food. You may have thought you were doing everything right to be a polite customer. I mean, you did pay me after all. But whether to inform the unknowing or to connect to those who have been there, here are the Confessions of a Cashier.
1. Tips. Tips. Tips. Tips.
Yes, they really are that important to us. Many people don’t realize that cashiers are paid the lowest wage since they are supposed to make tips. It feels pretty bad when someone orders $50 worth of food but leaves me tip-less. Did we not do a good job? Was our service not satisfactory? Leaving a tip, even as small as a dollar, lets us know how we did. Plus, it’s just kinda common sense. Back before working in food, if I tipped, I tipped small. That was only because I didn’t realize how much it means to the people who were serving me. Now, I tip on everything. I even force people who don’t have tip jars to take it because, heck, I know they want it. They did a nice thing for me and I’m going to return the favor2. We don’t wash the lemons.
This is actually extremely common in restaurants, folks. Those lemons that you plop into your water or tea glass have most likely never been washed. Whatever is on the outside of the lemon is now in your drink, but you probably didn’t think about that. Food service workers are extremely busy and don’t have time. Avoid drinking a nasty concoction but simply squeezing the lemon juice into your cup, but leaving the actual lemon out. You can thank me later.3. Yes, I find it extremely rude when you are trying to order and pay while having another conversation on the phone.
This happens all the time. It’s really hard for me to talk to you if you are already having a conversation with someone else. I understand that you’re busy and popular, but please take the five minutes it takes to order out of your allotted chat time. The whole process will be much smoother for the both of us.4. Bussing your own table is much appreciated - if you do it they way I do it.
I love it when customers bus their own table because that’s one less thing on my to-do list. But, it’s a catch 22. I more often than not have to go back and redo what the customer has done. If you really want to do a good job, stack the plates neatly after having pushed the excess food off into the trash. Please do not stack cups full of ice on top of each other because that’ll be a mess once the ice melts. Thanks so much!5. If you’re gonna make an order difficult, at least be nice about it.
Usually, food is served the way it is described on the menu. If you ask nicely, we can do something special for you. Understand that we are going out of our way for you, the least you can do is be grateful.6. When you come in and I smile and say “hello, how are you?” I mean it! It’s super nice to get it back.
This one is pretty self explanatory. Responding to someone is just a common courtesy. And one that we love. We are people too, after all.7. If you’re not sure what you’re ordering, please let someone else go before you. Please.
Since you need a little more time to think over your meal, why not let someone who already knows what they want to go first? It keeps the line running and efficient, and you won’t feel rushed!8. No, we can’t break your $100 bill.
Most restaurants start the day with a certain amount of cash in their register. This means that we do not have enough to break large bills, especially if we have just opened. This means that you might just have to pay for your $7 worth of food with a $10 bill instead. (And yes, I have had this discussion with a customer before).9. But yes, we do like exact change!
Getting exact change eliminates a step that we have to do. I do not mind waiting a little extra longer for you if it means that I don’t have to count out those 99 cents that you are owed. Plus, you get to get rid of some of that change weighing your pocket down!10. We’re trying our best. We really are.
Please be patient and allow me to do what I need to do. I do it so that everyone can get what they want in an orderly fashion. That means you, too. I’ll probably strike up a conversation with you to avoid the dreaded awkward silence I just know will creep up on us. Go with it, laugh at my “jokes,” everything is going to be alright.Now that you have read this list, go forth and conquer. Be the customer your momma would want you to be. We all thank you.
