As summer rolls around and people have more free time they can be found congregating and cooling off at restaurants. Due to the potential influx of customers, restaurants hire staff just for summer. After working a few shifts as a waitress at my first job in the food industry I came up with a few tips to help customers fully enjoy their restaurant experience and bring to light some actions that frustrate the staff.

1. Wash your hands after handling a menu: the menu is handled by various customers throughout the day as well as by most of the staff. We try to wipe them down every few hours but between those hours dozens of hands are holding them and it may be the most germ-filled object in the restaurant.
2. Use a straw if possible: of course all the silverware, plates, and cups are washed thoroughly after every use. The cups, however, are sitting face down until a customer drinks from them and there is no telling how dusty or dirty the rim will get during the time the cup is not in use. Side note: when asking for a lemon in your drink, keep in mind that the lemons sit in a container all day and are switched out usually every few days. They oftentimes are not fresh.
3. Talk to the manager: the servers are the messenger and do not always know the details of how the food is being prepared. If you have a real problem with your food it will save you a lot of time and energy to call the manager over. They are the ones who can help switch out your food. The server usually has to report to the manager if the customer has a problem so it is best to go straight to the manager.
4. Make sure you know what you are ordering if the server asks if you are ready: we have no problem coming back and giving you a few more minutes to look over the menu. A problem arises when we ask if you are ready, you say yes, and then continue to look over the menu. We are happy to answer any questions, but we usually have many tables to attend to and it is time consuming to watch someone look over a menu for a few more minutes. Just be honest, it is perfectly fine to tell us you need a few more minutes to order.
5. Just take a breath and be patient: it is upsetting when you come to a restaurant and something goes wrong, you are paying for food and service and you expect just that. It is our job to make sure you get everything you need and you absolutely will whether you are rude or kind. The customer will always get what they ask for, no matter what. If you ask to return food because it is too hot or cold, if you ask to switch out your entire meal, if you ask to move tables, your request will be fulfilled. The end result will always be the same no matter how you choose to act. How you choose to go about your request is up to you. If you are kind, patient, and respectful the process will be much simpler and go smoothly. I can promise the waitstaff and managers will be extremely grateful and respond well. This is not to say that we give excellent service only to those who are polite but it will save a lot of anger on both our sides. There is no reason to become extremely upset, we will solve the problem.

Try and remember these tips as you eat at restaurants throughout the summer. Remember that the staff is full of hardworking people who are always doing their best to accommodate you because you deserve excellent service.