Picture this:
You go into a run down diner around 9 pm. It is clearly rush hour for them because the place is packed. They seat you, and you can clearly see that your waitress has 4 other tables besides your own. She comes over and introduces herself with a smile and takes your drink order. It takes her a little while to come back, but she gets your food order and all of your special instructions.
After the food comes out, you ask for some ketchup. The time comes and you have to pay your bill. Regardless of the smile on her face and her efforts to keep every one of her tables happy, you debate whether you should leave a tip because she was taking a little longer than you would have liked and she forgot your cup of ketchup. What do you do?
I've worked as a waitress for about eight months now, and it is one of the most difficult jobs I've ever had. There is a lot to a serving job, and most people don't know that. Between all of the tables we are serving (depending on the restaurant, it can be as many as five or six), we also have work in the kitchen that needs to be done called "side work". And let me tell you if you don't do do your side work, you won't hear the end of it.
The point is, we are very busy all the time. And what are we paid? $2.83 an hour. We live off of the tips we make, and I don't think many people realize this reality. Your tips pay my bills. My rent. My groceries. I can't live without those tips because I don't get a physical check.
I've had people scream at me so the whole restaurant could hear them for "being too slow" or forgetting something. I've had people tip me zero dollars on checks well over $150. It feels like a stab in the back.
On the flip side, I've had amazing customers who go above and beyond for me. Tell my managers or corporate how good I am at my job. And those are the people who keep me going.
I know in my heart that I am good at my job. To the people who don't always have the fastest server or are unhappy when something is forgotten, please understand a few things. There are so many other people working around us. We work together to keep you satisfied. That's our job! I promise that we intend to give you the best experience possible, but also understand that we are human, too. Sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes we forget. Maybe we worked five doubles in a row so our memory is not as sharp as it was at the beginning of the week. That doesn't mean that we deserve to be treated like garbage.
So next time you're out at a restaurant, remember some of these things. Try to put yourself in your servers' shoes. Understand that all we are trying to do is keep you happy, and reflect that in your tip.
