Think for just a moment what it feels like when you walk into your favorite restaurant; the music, the smell, the people. Perhaps you know someone who is a regular, or perhaps this is you. Now, are you on a first name basis with your server? Do you know them personally? Their kids, where they go to school? Do you request them because they give you the best service, or because they always know how to make you smile? Do they ask about your family, and act as though they have known you their whole life?
Chances are, you have a relationship established like this. It could be that you are either variable, the regular or the worker, but with the restaurant industry being at an all time high, it's likely that you've experienced this. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Americans have successfully upped the ante on Bar & Restaurant sales, spending more than 50% of their annual income eating out. The problem with this study inturn lies within the sales of recorded bars & restaurants, meaning that the servers tips or "earned wages" are not included. You might be wondering why this matters to you, and if that's the case, please ask yourself this; "Does my server actually care why I'm here today? Do they care that my dog/cat/pet rabbit died? Do they actually give a shit about anything I've ever told them?" If your immediate response is "Of course they care!" Then be ready to get schooled, because here are a few lessons I've learned working in the food industry, and if we're all lucky, you might just learn a thing or two.
In a restaurant that can hold a max capacity of roughly 270 people, servers walk an average of 2 miles per shift. These shifts are often 6-8 hour shifts, sometimes more. If you could possibly calculate the thoughts per minute of a server, I'd be willing to bet it's more than the tips we make in a single shift.
This isn't saying that all servers are always on their A-game, because some people are simply not cut out for the job. I've trained dozens of people and rarely do the majority of them stay in the food industry. Often time, however, those are the lazy, dramatic entitled ones that ruin the reputation of servers and sometimes, the restaurant that they work in. So remember, just because you had one bad experience, that one time a year ago doesn't mean all servers (or restaurants for that matter) are going to be that bad. Give us a chance to change your mind. But please be aware that we are on a mission!
#freshtodeath #makethatmoneydontletitmakeyou #serverlife
Living in the Bible Belt has taught me so much about religion. Growing up Southern Baptist has taught me so much about hell. And serving in a primarily old-fashioned Baptist town in the Bible Belt has taught me that people actually think Bible verses and Christian pamphlets hold monetary value. Those people are about as smart as Eve, because Jesus already paid for our sins, he ain't trying to pay for our bills, too. (You can quote me on that, because I think I'm hilarious, also because it's totally true.)
While we appreciate that you're gonna pray for us to "get a real job", we'd rather you leave the awkward religious confrontation at the door. Just because we're here to serve your food, doesn't mean we are also trying to serve the Lord right here, right now. Thanks, but I really need to run three refills to table 212 and get 243 a new set of silverware, and you're cutting into my tip.
#allreligionmatters #aintnobodygottimeforthat #jesusdoesntcarrycash #hecoversyourass #youcancoverthetip
"I hope this person doesn't take five years to choose between fries and a baked potato, they're cutting into my tip from that party"
That's an actual quote from at least 14 people I've worked with in the past. Our paychecks are barely in the double digits and we bust our ass just to have people shit on us throughout the day. Granted, there are more good days that bad days, but everyday has bullshit when you're a server. The job demands that we must always be able to juggle a million different thoughts and tasks at once, and once we're on that grind, its hard to slow down. Which is also a part of the job, but don't take advantage of us, we're servers, not servants!
There's always a regular, who, chances are their order is memorized, always the indecisive one who inquires about a new item only to go with their "usual", and at least one person who mistakes the kids menu as geriatric menu then gripes when a coffee isn't on the kids menu. There's always that one person who uses the line "someone made it like this last time, so you have to do it again this time" and ruins the flow of the day. Servers are looked down upon, when in all reality, its a gritty, grind job that requires a great personality with an even better fake smile. What's more, our brains are always in overtime as we are constantly thinking of things not to forget about, so when we stop at your table be mindful that while it is our job to serve you, that does not mean you have the right to be an asshole! So just a heads up; be sure to put down your phone and actually look at the menu, that way, when your server is ready to take your order, you're not setting there like a giant inconvenient lump in someone's ass. Be considerate of your server and your surroundings!
While on the topic of being considerate of your server, please remember that they are people too. Meaning that, believe it or not, this is their "real job" and that they have their own struggles that company policy strictly prohibits bringing those troubles to work. The companies do this to ensure that you, the paying guest, are always right. As servers, we know that you are not always right. Like the time you swore up and down that you in fact ordered something that you actually didn't just to ease your mind of causing confusion and unnecessary stress. Or when you ate the whole meal then said it was cold and demanded a refund. C'mon, we know you're scamming the system and abusing the "guest is always right" policy, and your game is so played out. Try again. Because we are also people, we understand that you might be out to eat on a bad day, or stop by the drive-thru after a frustrating phone-call, but please understand that we understand!
What does this mean for you? Be honest with your server, because believe it or not, SERVERS ARE NOT MIND READERS; tell them if your meal is not what you thought you ordered, if you do need a refill, if your steak isn't cooked properly, if we forgot that cup of ranch you asked for 73 times. A good server can admit when they are wrong, and won't place the blame on the kitchen (because, that happens). A great server, will go above and beyond to see to it that your meal is perfect, and your every request met. A rockstar server will instinctively be on their feet and realize that meeting one of your demands is not just for the sake of getting paid, but because they are just good at their job. However, you should realize that ALL SERVERS MATTER. Even if the service is shitty and they are distant, and you've probably had better service elsewhere, keep in mind that the person taking your order and mindlessly running errands around the restaurant is probably only getting $2 per hour. Now, think long and hard about what that does to their server's confidence.
#20percentorbust #bekind #allserversmatter
Kindness is key in the event of poor service because your small act of a $3 tip (which is often pushing it for some people and often times not even 10% of the tip) could give your server that moment of "I can't believe they even tipped me, I was so awful!" and get them through the rest of your day. And I promise, those days happen! We lose confidence in ourselves, life is just pouring down on us and we can't shake what is still going on outside of work, but we keep coming back because there are always better days, better customers, and more life lessons to be learned.
I've met so many interesting people within the dining halls of several restaurants, and yes, I truly care about those people and the stories that they tell. Please don't think this message means that your server doesn't care about you. I'm only trying to let you, as a customer know that we have so much more on our plate than what is on the one we just brought to your table. We show you that we care by the service we provide to you, the literal absolute least you can do to reciprocate that is just give us a good tip. Not a phone number on a napkin, not a business card, a pamphlet, or a good word to our manager.
#moneytalks #onlypeoplecanlisten #wordsdontpaythebills
Waiting tables is not glamorous, but someone's gotta do it! If you've never worked in the food industry, I highly recommend it. You'll meet a few assholes either co-workers or customers, or you'll become an asshole. You will learn humility, how to admit your faults, and defeats. You will be able to multi-task like a mother (literally), and you will also figure out which ink pens are the best. You will become a great judge of character, you'll know countless dad jokes, know more about complete strangers than your own family, and most likely learn new methods of anger management and therapy, aka, the walk-in freezer or cooler. If you're not interested in becoming a better, more well-wounded person, then maybe these tips will help you think about...tips! 
#TIPFROMTHEHEART
