That is, unless they have ever been a waitress.
I have worked as a waitress for just over a year now in three different restaurants, and even though I don't have major experience, I have learned a thing or two about the restaurant industry. But maybe more importantly about the customer service industry, and how we the people are epically failing those who work to serve us. So whether you agree with what I'm saying or not, whether you've ever been a waitress, or ever worked in a customer service position, it's my hope that you will pass this message (or one like it) along to those in your life who you would hate to have their food spit in, not that that ever actually happens....
Ok so first let's think of the reasons why you go out to eat:
It's the weekend, you want to let loose and have some fun!
You're out to celebrate.
You just love the food and atmosphere of your favorite restaurant.
Family get togethers.
Random date night.
Now, you get there and there's a wait.. well that shouldn't really come as a surprise because this is the best restaurant in town. I mean, why else would YOU come here to eat? The food is delicious, the atmosphere is enjoyable, it shouldn't come as a shock that other people think so too!
But here is where the dining experience often takes a plummeting pitfall. You don't want to wait. You shouldn't have to wait. You're hungry. You've got other things to do. How much longer is this going to take.
You FINALLY get seated and your server seems a bit flustered. The place is packed and they're setting up the band for the live music show. All you want is a soda, beer, salad. Where is my waitress?!
Let's hop outside your brain for a minute and consider the other people involved here. First, the kitchen staff. Those guys are working their tails off, in a likely sweltering kitchen, with hot, sharp equipment and orders coming in like crazy. They have been at it for 6 hours now, the dinner rush just coming on. Move outside the kitchen and there are the serving staff. Pacing quickly to table after table, smiling, filling drinks, taking orders, answering to every beck and call. Doing the best job they can given the kitchen back-up and hindered mobility around the restaurant due to the large crowd.
Okay back into your brain, it makes sense that you would be slightly antsy when you finally get seated and naturally you're thinking that your waiter has been waiting for you just as long as you've been waiting for them. Ah, but patience grasshopper. You're not the first table they've served tonight, and you won't be the last. They have to provide excellent service to tens maybe hundreds of customers tonight. So how do you think you would feel when in the middle of all this running around and people pleasing and trying to keep orders and salads and drinks straight, a customer begins to complain about how slow things seem to be moving?
Hold on because this right here is the important point I was talking about earlier! It is NOT, I repeat NOT your waitress's fault that the restaurant is full. Not her fault that there are only so many pop machines in the place to fill your glasses. Not her fault that she isn't allowed behind the bar to pour your beer. So do us all a favor and CALM THE HECK DOWN. Yes, I do understand that some people just aren't cut out to be waitresses and they might elicit negative feedback and treatment, however this is usually not the case.
Check yourself people. There are so many things going on behind the scenes of a busy restaurant that have absolutely nothing to do with you, your waitress, or the service you personally are receiving. So calm down, please. Be patient. Be nice. Treat your waitress how you want them to treat you. They are after all responsible for your food and if they can tell from the beginning that your sour-puss attitude is probably not going to tip them well, they're going to immediately write you off and focus on the tables that have adequate social skills. They're not going to waste precious time on a no-money table.
What I'm saying may not be the case for a super high scale, fancy shmancy, fine dining establishment.. but if you're reading my blog I doubt you eat at those anyway. All I'm saying is if you take anything at all away from this message, be nice to restaurant staff when you go out to eat. Your food's messed up? Your waitress is not the one who cooked it. You had to wait 45 minutes for a table in the corner? Well there was a reason you came to the place, looks like other people had the same idea tonight. And last but not least...
TIP 20% Y'ALL!
If that's too much you're cheap then at least double the tax as your tip (about 14%). But never ever ever in the history of the 21st century has it been appropriate to tip 10% or less. That's just rude. And keep in mind that all of the waitresses are going to remember the one's who don't tip. And they're gonna tell all their little waitress friends too.
