Working in restaurants for the better part of two decades has done a lot for me. True, it has given me a life-long disdain of lemons in water but there are many positive aspects that have come out of slinging hash for this many years. As I get older, I realize that many of the things I have learned in restaurants have carried over to my regular life and made me a better person. Since there have been so many comments telling me to "get a real job" and to "stop whining" I thought it would be nice to be on the less-bitchy side today. I hope you will click "like" at the end of the post and share this.Here are ten things that being a waiter has taught me:
- Save for a rainy day. When most of your income depends on fluctuating tips, you get pretty good at holding on to money once you have it. A really great Friday night shift where you walk home with $250 can be followed by a Saturday morning shift during a blizzard where no one comes in and you only make twenty bucks. Waiting tables has taught me how to count my pennies and save what I make because you never know when the financial rug will be pulled out from under you. Or when the only people who sit in your station are going to think a dollar is still a decent tip.
- How to make small talk. Going into any situation where you are surrounded by strangers can be difficult. Whether it's a party, a new job or a meeting, the first impression you make is a lasting one. Being a waiter has given me the skills to make conversation with anyone and everyone and I don't get nervous when I have to talk to strangers. It's as easy as asking them how they would like their burger cooked. When all else fails, compliment their outfit.
- Don't sweat the small stuff. There was a time when I was a newbie and I would run into the kitchen to stress out until the burger for table 12 was ready. One day, an older server told me something I will never forget: "It's just lunch. There will be another one tomorrow and there is no such thing as a lunch emergency." I have carried that calming thought outside of the restaurant. When I am stuck on the train or in traffic or in a long line at the store, all I have to remember is that in the scope of world events, this is probably not a very big deal.
- How to get along with others. A restaurant staff is ever-changing. People come and go and you never know who you will be working with each shift since it's very seldom that you have a set schedule. Because of that, some days you work with people you like and some days you don't. But working in a restaurant requires teamwork. Whether you like everyone or not, you still may need to ask someone to water your table and they will ask you to take some bread somewhere. You quickly figure out that it's easier to just get along than it is to not. Suck it up. You don't have to like everyone, but it's pretty easy to get along with everyone.
- Time management. Having a station full of people all needing things at the same time is a real lesson in making the best use of your time. If table 1 needs to have their cocktails rung in and table 2 needs more water and table 3 needs a spoon for their dessert that will be up any minute, you get real good at figuring out which one is the most important. (The spoon. Duh.)
- Multi-tasking. This goes right along with time management. If you ring in the drinks and then grab the water pitcher on your way to the side stand to get spoons, you can then drop the spoons at table 3, fill the waters at table 2 and then breeze by table 1 to tell them their drinks are on the way. This is handy in the real world at places like grocery stores, malls and while cleaning your apartment.
- A smile will get you far in life. When someone sits in my station and has a sour-puss look on their face and then tells me they want the happy hour price for their beer even though happy hour ended five minutes ago, I am not going to do it. In contrast, if someone is friendly and smiling and asks nicely, it is very possible that I will simply hit the happy hour beer price for them. A smile makes a huge difference.
- How to treat other people. Being in a position of subservience really teaches you how to treat others. When I am treated poorly, it's very obvious that the person doing the mistreating is used to having people to push around. I know what it's like to be told what to do and to never hear the words "please" or "thank you." When I am out in the real world, I make certain that I always make eye contact with anyone who is doing something for me and I make frequent use of "please and "thank you." We are all people and we all deserve to be treated kindly. Servers know that. Vice Presidents of big corporations? Not so much.
- Patience. It's not easy to have patience when a three year old at your table wants to order for herself. The mom is saying, "You can do it, honey. Tell the man what you want," but I can feel the stares of the four other tables who are needing my attention as well. Patience is learned and when your income is dependant on how patient and attentive you are, it's learned quickly. That's why when I am at the grocery store in the 10 Items or Less line stuck behind a senior citizen who has 15 items, I know to breathe deep and let it go. Patience is a virtue. Learn it.
- Good shoes. I am on my feet all day and the shoes I wear are very important to my health and well-being. Cheap shoes don't support your soles and they fall apart too soon. Waiting tables has taught me to spend the extra 25 bucks for the better shoes. They last longer, they look better, and they are more comfortable. Wear good shoes.
Download The Bitchy Waiter App for Android here.
Click here to follow The Bitchy Waiter on Twitter.
Click here to find The Bitchy Waiter on Facebook.
97 comments:
I love this post :)
Awesome! I'm so glad someone else sees it this way too!
Saw you on Dr. Phil. Thought I'd check you out for myself, I'm so glad I did. You can tell when someone has a good heart and by the looks of this post, you do.
"Good shoes"! Man, the world would be a different place if we all could learn the value of "Good shoes".
May you live long and proper.~
Deanna
I learned not to ask other people at work, "I know your not open but can I just...", "I know your closed but can I just..."- two of my personal pet peeves that I truly think only happens in hospitality, you don't go to a bank and actually think they will open early for you do you? Also, to respect the people around you and the job that they need to get done. Contrary to popular belief, it's not all about you (customer)!!! It also occurs to me more often then your average civilian, that what the business offers is probably what they are prepared to serve/service. Restaurants specifically, open at a certain time so staff have time to prep food, set the dining room, mentally prepare for the shift....they offer what is on the menu not to bully you into eating what they want you to but so they may prepare to feed more then just you. It's hard to read minds, most chefs don't know how :) I suppose the gist is, respect other people, their jobs, and their businesses. I like to think I did that before I was in the industry but I probably didn't. :(
"It's just lunch." I like that.
These are all really good life lessons.
P.S. I found you on Dr. Phil ( I love that guy :) I've added you to my google reader, and look forward to reading more.
Always a treat reading your posts! Just added you to my blogroll.
terryeverton.net
"Multi-tasking. This goes right along with time management. If you ring in the drinks and then grab the water pitcher on your way to the side stand to get spoons, you can then drop the spoons at table 3, fill the waters at table 2 and then breeze by table 1 to tell them their drinks are on the way."
That's only fair if you are putting in bar drinks. If you are putting in drinks you can get yourself like soft drinks, tea, water that type of thing, you are in the morally WRONG for letting CUTTING happen. What I mean is if table 1 actually asked for let's say a coke and an iced tea, you should be going to get that and not doing anything else, it's only *FAIR* and *MORALLY RIGHT* if you expect a good tip, understand?
It all has to do with WHO ASKED FOR WHAT FIRST.
If the waters would have been asked first, you should have not been putting drinks into the computer first. Understand what I am trying to say? BE FAIR and then your tip should show it is all I am saying.
Dear Bitchy Waiter,
I outed myself on your Twitter (face and real name) as an ire-inspiring bore who, after licking his plate clean, victimizes waiters and waitresses with the tired "oh, it was horrible" kidding line. I promise to stop. If I slip and re-offend, I will beg for forgiveness and accept a flogging without complaint. I will also tip 5% more than my usual 25%. Love to you and all waiters and waiters everywhere. Dave Laman
maxi
"clearly never worked in a restaurant!"
Clearly NEVER been CUT in front of, have you? Like you have never had to wait 5 minutes for your check when you saw your server without being called over or had any previously ordered things go to other tables making *YOU* wait for what *YOU* asked for *FIRST*? I don't believe you that you aren't pissed, because NOBODY LOVES WAITING, NOBODY when they aren't supposed to wait, because it's their turn, not someone else's.
Lemons in water...this is a serious if naive question:
What about lemon slice, lime slice, orange slice, etc in a bar drink? I always wonder about that and if it's just as germy/potentially illness causing as lemon in water.
Yes. I'm looking for an answer.
As for Dr Phil, awesome! You were on again? I'll look for a link unless, of course, you include one in your reply to my question.
Lemons in water...this is a serious if naive question:
What about lemon slice, lime slice, orange slice, etc in a bar drink? I always wonder about that and if it's just as germy/potentially illness causing as lemon in water.
Yes. I'm looking for an answer.
As for Dr Phil, awesome! You were on again? I'll look for a link unless, of course, you include one in your reply to my question.
Hey look! I found an english to Springs1 translator: http://margalite.webatu.com/springs1.html
Do you like it?
@Nenni
LOVE it! That's hilarious.
and @Springs1
Of course I've been 'cut' in front of. But seeing as I'm not 7 years old and a mature human being it doesn't really bother me. It must be really uncomfortable for you to have to spend all day with your knickers in a twist. Sad face.
Oh and Springs, if Servers did things your way, and you were at the back of the "line", it would take a ridiculously long time to get to you and you would not be very happy.
There is just no pleasing some people.
Maxi
"But seeing as I'm not 7 years old and a mature human being it doesn't really bother me."
It bothers MOST people though. Just think about black friday and the people that go to those sales. They hate cutters and there are a LOT of people that do that.
You are in the minority on this issue. Most people DO CARE if they are cut in front of or not.
Nenni
"Oh and Springs, if Servers did things your way, and you were at the back of the "line", it would take a ridiculously long time to get to you and you would not be very happy. There is just no pleasing some people."
There is, because I know that I would have to wait *********MY TURN********* LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. I should have gone EARLIER if I wanted the better spot in line, DUHH! I know I would DESERVE to wait longer. I wouldn't be mad about it. Sure I hate waiting, but I wouldn't be mad, because I know it would be my own damn fault for not going earlier. I couldn't blame anyone else but myself if I was in the back of the line.
@Springs1 You're one of those guests that think their ahead of everyone i assume. Based on your POV. There is no "my turn" system in waiting tables because we would be making 50 trips for something that could be done in 3 or less. Its about consolidation, time saving, and making the GUEST happy. And unless you are paying 150% to your server I'm sure you weren't the "first" to ask for something.
You dont realize ALL the things we have to do and deal with. A server is basically the bitch between the bartender, host, and cook. We get blamed for all of their mistakes. And remember nobody is perfect.
Oh and don't forget, we are HUMAN. We do forget things just like EVERYONE else. (including you)
Ingrid
"You're one of those guests that think their ahead of everyone i assume."
NO, NOT AT ALL, ********NOT********** AT ALL**********!! I WANT TO WAIT MY TURN, but when it's my turn, don't *DIS* MY TURN, UNDERSTAND?
"There is no "my turn" system in waiting tables because we would be making 50 trips for something that could be done in 3 or less. Its about consolidation, time saving, and making the GUEST happy."
So you are saying I can go up to my server tap them on the shoulder and interrupt them *WHILE* they are taking a food order, right and then my server is supposed to STOP taking the order to get what I asked for(2 refills let's say), RIGHT?
According to you people don't have turns, which means I can do just that and you would get my refills INTERRUPTING SOMEONE ELSE'S TURN at another table.
Understand what I am saying that *YES* EVERYBODY HAS TURNS IDIOT, EVERYONE!!
If people didn't have turns, everyone can interrupt their servers and the servers would interrupt their tables, understand?
I bet if you were my server you'd tell me to wait my turn? I'd really like your HONEST ANSWER PLEASE?
EVERYONE HAS TURNS!! The only place that doesn't have turns is ER and that's because it's life or death, but EVERYWHERE ELSE stores, DMV, even waiting for a table is by TURNS.
"And unless you are paying 150% to your server I'm sure you weren't the "first" to ask for something."
Paying them any amount has NOTHING to do with being fair or right to someone.
Actually that's not true. I have seen servers go out of order and hand things out of order on the *SAME TRAY* even.
Once, we had a Red Lobster waitress had our 2 entrées on the tray as well as 2 side salads that were for a couple that wasn’t even there when we ordered. Anyway, instead of bypassing their table to hand us ours first since WE DID ORDER FIRST(common sense would tell you that it takes more time to cook food than it does to fix a side salad anyways even if it wasn’t our server that delivered our food, but it was our waitress that delivered our food), she decided to hand them theirs first off the tray.
Do you think that's FAIR or MORALLY RIGHT to go out of order? If you don't, then HOW can you say people don't have turns? Do you feel that you'd tell me to wait my turn if I would interrupt you while you were taking a table's order? If you would tell me that then HOW can people not have turns then?
"You dont realize ALL the things we have to do and deal with. A server is basically the bitch between the bartender, host, and cook. We get blamed for all of their mistakes. And remember nobody is perfect."
I know what you have to do and most of the time the mistakes are due to your server because most of them are obvious to the server's EYES that they could have caught the mistake *BEFORE* they brought it to your table.
"Oh and don't forget, we are HUMAN."
If so, then you don't like cutting, DON'T DO IT TO SOMEONE ELSE!! YOU ARE MORALLY WRONG!! WE ALL HAVE TURNS!!
People, please stop feeding the troll. This Ranch-sucking know it all has been doing this for YEARS (be sure to check out her MULTIPLE blogs for a hilarious read!) and will never change. I'm surprised to see her here at all - she has already been banned from most of the good serving blogs. Keep up the good work, Bitchy! (<-- and by that I mean Bitchy Waiter, not bitchy commenter:)
GetBentSprings1
"People, please stop feeding the troll."
I AM NOT A TROLL!! I HATE CUTTERS, DOESN'T EVERYONE?
Springs, you're creepy. I don't meticulously watch my waiter and make sure he does things in order. Why? Because I HAVE A LIFE! I'm too busy enjoying the company I'm eating with, discussing the day and their lives and relaxing which is the purpose of a sit-down restaurant. Good grief, how miserable dinners with you must be as you crane your neck every two seconds to watch where your server stopped, what specific requests were made at that table and in what order it correlated with your own ridiculous demands. If I had to eat with someone as schizophrenic as you I think I would be humiliated and have to apologize to the whole restaurant for the stalker WHO HAS BEEN LISTENING IN ON EVERY CONVERSATION, WATCHING THEIR EVERY MOVE! If you have a spouse, I seriously feel badly for him/her. You're nuts! Cutting in line is one thing; making people around you miserable so you get "firsties" is sick!
Anonymous
"I don't meticulously watch my waiter and make sure he does things in order. Why? Because I HAVE A LIFE!"
So you don't *CARE* WHERE YOUR ******HARD WORKED MONEY GOES****, HUH?
Seriously, I CARE, so I pay attention. That's having a life, because I want to know if my server is doing the morally right thing or not to deserve a good tip or not. That's WHY we have tipping is because of our *OPINION* of what makes good service good. If we were cut in front of, of course we aren't going to be happy with our service, DUHH, WHO WOULD? Unless you aren't hungry or thirsty, then I can understand maybe not caring, but most people want their stuff NOW, this SECOND if they can have it and you KNOW IT!! NOBODY LOVES WAITING!!
"your own ridiculous demands."
There are no "DEMANDS" in service, because that's their *******JOB******** IDIOT! THEY ARE AT OUR MERCY IF THEY WANT OUR MONEY TO DO AS WE SAY, WE ARE THE BOSS IF THEY EXPECT AND WANT OUR MONEY!!
YOU SOUND VERY LAZY TO CALL IT DEMANDS, because there is NO SUCH THING!!
"Good grief, how miserable dinners with you must be as you crane your neck every two seconds to watch where your server stopped, what specific requests were made at that table"
Glancing to see what is going on is not craning my neck, it's just looking at what is going on and WHY shouldn't I? I want to know if this person serving us is being a morally right, caring human being or not or are they being an asshole, inconsiderate bitch or bastard.
The tip isn't just because they handed me food, it's if they ***********CARED************* about my dining experience, NOT just because they handed me things and took orders.
What had happened with the Red Lobster situation is that we had waited around 45 mins for our food, so we were looking around and happen to see the waitress which she had 2 sides salads on the *SAME* tray as our entrées, but she decided to hand them their side salads first. I couldn't believe my eyes how someone could **********FATHOM************* LETTING CUTTING HAPPEN LIKE THAT, I don't get it? WHAT AN INCONSIDERATE BITCH that waitress was. I don't care if it's mere seconds, it was the fact that she did something morally wrong and she *KNEW* WE ORDERED FIRST, but decided to let cutting happen when she knows she doesn't like when people cut in front of her, NOBODY DOES, it's COMMON SENSE not to do that to someone that you want their money, DUHHH!! MEAN WAITRESS is what I call that. What an inconsiderate human being. I couldn't fathom doing that. If I were her, I would have bypassed that couple's table to hand the customer's their food that had ordered *BEFORE* that couple. It's just the right thing to do. I cannot understand WHY someone wouldn't think about people having turns when even places that don't have lines like the DMV or even when you wait for a table when there is a wait for a table you have a name on a list it's not a line, but you still go in the *ORDER* in which your turn is?
"If I had to eat with someone as schizophrenic as you"
I am not schizophrenic, I am VERY NORMAL.
"You're nuts!"
NO, YOU ARE to pay a good tip when you don't even KNOW if you had good service or not, because you aren't WATCHING to see what's going on DUMBASS IDIOT!! You are STUPID and TOO LAZY to care about your own money, HOW DUMB ARE YOU?
"Springs, you're creepy."
NO, that's not creepy, that's ***********SMART************ to worry about ******WHERE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY IS GOING*********!! DAMN STRAIGHT, IT'S SMART TO SEE IF THE SERVER DESERVES A GOOD TIP OR NOT!! I don't want to pay someone well to treat me unfairly, WHO WOULD?
ah, i wasnt going to be a bitch but your ignorance has really annoyed me.
1. yes, go up to your server as she/he is at another table while they are taking an order because you have no manners and patience. See how far that gets you with your server, and in real life.
Oh, if i was your server, i would say "i'll be with you in just a moment sir." regardless of what you may have said/asked for. its called patience and not being an inconsiderate 5 year old child.
as far as the 150% comment, i obviously forgot the word attention.
as for fair and morally right.
Oh my god, i cant believe you had to wait a full blown minute and maybe a couple of seconds to get your food because your waitress dropped off her salads first. MAYBE just MAYBE she knew it would take a little amount of time as opposed to dropping off the main course, maybe she did it so you could be on her upmost undivided attention for when you do ask for that extra side of ranch you're not going to use, or for your a1 sauce on your well done filet because you dont know how to eat a real steak.
"I know what you have to do and most of the time the mistakes are due to your server because most of them are obvious to the server's EYES that they could have caught the mistake *BEFORE* they brought it to your table."
now this is the one that irks me the most.
1. Yes, its my fault that i did MY part of the job and put "NO SEASONING ON STEAK" 3 times so the cooks would see it.
2. Because most cooks are busy with the other flood of tickets they have in their window they are still human* and may have OVERLOOKED IT or simply FORGOT and still put seasoning. (again i accept its MY FAULT THOUGH)
3. Even though its written on the ticket numerous times the expo (THE GUY WHO TRAYS OUR FOOD) again, my "NO SEASONING ON STEAK" notes are overlooked because there is an hour wait at lunch and our window is again flooded with tickets and we are in a rush because along with your no seasoning well done steak you need to get to back to work in 15 minutes.
4. and even though whoever runs the food is supposed to overlook the expos tickets before they run them missed the writing. it was once again overlooked.
so by the end of this, 3 different people had a chance to read something that was written there. and for some weird reason each one of them didnt see it. Maybe because were busy? or maybe because they over looked it. maybe because they didn't read it. No not for any of those reasons but because its the waiters fault the steak went out incorrectly.
again. MY BAD.
These comments are hilarious. Please don't stop, Springs1. Keep it going.
springs you keep saying us servers are at your "mercy" and we must do as you say. As a server i would just like to let you know that when you are encountered with a guest such as yourself, demanding, thinking everything is about them, our main concern is not about getting a good tip from you. At that point we just really want to get you the heck out of our section. We don't need your money. So what, i missed out on the what $5-7 tip you were gonna leave? News flash i can make that up with the next table that comes in. So yes i may be obligated to give you good service, but that does not mean being at your supposed "mercy" and being your bitch.
Ingrid
"Oh, if i was your server, i would say "i'll be with you in just a moment sir." regardless of what you may have said/asked for. its called patience and not being an inconsiderate 5 year old child."
Now you are CONTRADICTING YOUR OWN LOGIC HERE.
You say that now, but you said this before: ""There is no "my turn" system in waiting tables "
So which is it?
HMMMM, I GOT YOU THERE, THAT IS WHY I MADE UP THAT SCENARIO I WOULD NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS DO, because IT PROVES THAT EVERYONE HAS *****************TURNS**************!!
If everyone didn't have turns, you would not tell me to wait, you'd get my stuff and interrupt their turn, UNDERSTAND that YOU JUST CONTRADICTED YOUR OWN LOGIC HERE? YOU DON'T SEE THAT YOU STUPID IDIOT?
EVERYONE HAS TURNS, that's MY POINT OF THAT RIDICULOUS EXAMPLE!!
BTW, I am a woman, not a sir.
"but because its the waiters fault the steak went out incorrectly."
Your example is *RARE* though. I am talking about problems that my server can notice if they bring out the food without having to touch the food to notice the mistakes.
Condiments on the side, that can be brought out by my server not even bothering depending on some other server or food runner to forget or not read the ticket to bring it out.
Things like bbq sauce on ribs that was asked to have no bbq sauce, well if my server brings out the food, it sure damn well *IS* their fault that they brought something out that OBVIOUS to the server's eyes that they didn't have to touch the ribs to see well DUHH, sauce is on the ribs.
If it's another server, it's that other server's fault if my server put in the order correctly, BUT it still goes against the tip since that person has to do with the service since they brought something obviously wrong out.
Wrong side sides, wrong entrées if the server brings out the food, that's their fault, NOT ANYONE ELSE'S.
If I have sour cream on my baked potato and let's say I asked not to get it, but you bring it out to me anyway, that's on *YOU*, NOT ANYONE ELSE.
Bacon if you can see it without touching the food if the customer ordered it extra crispy, you can notice without touching bacon if it's crispy or not just by simply LOOKING it at to serve it or not to serve it. Obviously, if it's another server that brings it out wrong when you put in the order correctly, even if it's not your fault, your tip will still feel it. It's only fair since that person WAS PART of the service.
If you bring out the food yourself, MOST ISSUES you can see without touching the food to notice the mistakes. Condiments, wrong side dishes, wrong entrées, sauce on food that isn't covered up that was asked for not on the food, overdone fries when asked for fries to be not overdone, forgetting a side dish or entrée, etc.
NOW do you see WHY I am saying MOST issues are the server's fault?
You can see if pepper or salt are on fries as well if the customer ordered no seasoning.
Now a steak you can't, I agree with that example, but it's one of the RARE examples that you wouldn't be at fault for like raw food or a pickle under a bun when the customer ordered no pickles which you put in the order correctly or slightly under or overcooking a steak when you put in the order correctly. Those aren't as many issues as the other ones and you KNOW IT!!
Leslie
"demanding"
WHY do you LAZY SERVERS call it "DEMANDING?" Asking NICELY for something isn't demanding, it's having service. It's a *JOB*, it's not playtime, so what do you expect?
There are NO DEMANDS!! NOBODY IS DEMANDING YOU TO DO SOMETHING, they are *ASKING* YOU TO.
"So what, i missed out on the what $5-7 tip you were gonna leave? News flash i can make that up with the next table that comes in."
So WHY wouldn't you want to make the MOST money you could make huh? ARE YOU THAT LAZY and UNCARING of a human being?
"but that does not mean being at your supposed "mercy" and being your bitch."
I am not being mean to the servers. I am saying that it is their *JOB* to do what is asked for that's why they get a tip.
I NEVER said anything about being mean or yelling or anything like that. I have NO CLUE WHERE YOU ARE GETTING THAT FROM?
I am even NICER than most servers are to me. For example, let's say they forget my ranch, I tell them nicely that I ordered a side of ranch or even sometimes they may remember at the table by just saying "Oh yeah you ordered ranch right", so instead of saying they are sorry RIGHT, THEN, AND THERE out of COMMON COURTESY, BEING NICE, NO, they don't even say they are sorry most of the time when they come back with it even, but then *I* STILL SAY ******THANK YOU***** to them. THAT'S HOW MUCH NICER I AM TO THEM THAN THEY WERE TO ME!!
So think about BEFORE YOU WRITE, because I am not a mean person and you do NOT KNOW ME AT ALL!! YOU ARE ASSUMING WRONG!!
I am asking for things NICELY like "Can I get another coke" which they say "Sure" and I even say "thank you" BEFORE AND AFTER they bring it. That's how nice I am.
Even if I were to encounter a mean customer if I were a server, I wouldn't care if I would have to deal with crap, I would rather have the money, because that's what is going to pay my bills and if I could have an extra dollar, I'd rather have that than nothing. I am not like you. I would want every penny I could get.
all im going to say to that is we are human.
god forbid, we forgot.
But guessing by your responses. You have never forgotten anything in your entire life.
Kudos my friend, the things i would do to be just like you.
Oh, and that situation is not rare.
it happens, all the time.
people overlook things all the time. because were only human, and not morally right and fair 1000% of the time like you.
Try waiting tables one day, do things your way. And tell me how much money you're not making.
Springs1, you are writing more on this blog than I am. Jeez. Bored much?
1. I did not say you were being mean. I said not to treat your server like your bitch cause they're not.
2. why should i kill myself to "make the most money" so seven dollars. big deal. I can get seven buck from my parents not a big deal. that seven dollars won't do me good. My main concern getting you out of my section cause the next guests I have will like i said MAKE UP the tip I missed out on
3. Okay so you have had a couple of mean servers. I guess that explains your hostility against most of us...yeah sure.
4. When I go out to eat, do i expect good service? yes but I don't expect the server to do every little thing right. There are gonna be mess ups here and there. And me being a human that is rational knows that and don't stress out when I have to wait a little mere 5 minutes for something like a check. its called having PATIENCE. something you obviously are lacking and didn't get taught while growing up as a child.
5. If you were reading correctly like I said, I didn't say you were mean, I said don't treat you servers like they are your bitch.
I really want you to go work in a restaurant as a server or any other position and see what we have to go through. You know it is so easy to judge when you have never been in a certain position. ME being a HUMAN can only take so much crap. You say that you would take the crap as a server but funny thing is you haven't had to which is why I guess its so easy for you to say you would. I just don't understand how people like you think and what goes on in your head when you write or say things and I honestly do not want to. The scary thing is you actually believe everything you're saying is right....its a scary world we live in i tell you. I've said all they I wanted to and that is all...I bid you good day
Ingrid
"Oh, and that situation is not rare. it happens, all the time. "
It doesn't happen to me because I rarely EVER get a steak and my husband orders his steak as it comes just medium well, which he has RARELY EVER had to send a steak back.
"it happens, all the time.
people overlook things all the time. "
People do, but if your server brings out your food, there are PLENTY of things you can notice BEFORE you deliver the food to my table for certain issues that you can see without touching the food if they are correct or not. THOSE happen more often than anything. CONDIMENTS ARE THE MOST PROBLEMS I HAVE AT SEEMS LIKE EVERY SINGLE RESTAURANT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO ALMOST BASICALLY, which condiments are the easiest and most preventable thing, because your server can just bring that stuff out *BEFORE* your food arrives no matter WHO brings out the food.
"Try waiting tables one day, do things your way. And tell me how much money you're not making."
See, you don't even want to admit that it would be wrong of me to interrupt someone else's turn. See, we all have TURNS, therefore, you shouldn't be doing things in the wrong order. THAT'S WHY you aren't going to make good money at those tables you are DISSING THEIR TURN. If you did things like I said, you would make more money, because the people that wait the longest shouldn't EVER be the FIRST people for things that the server can control.
For example, Jane Doe asks for her check, as you pass by, I ask for 2 refills, as you pass by Joe Schmoe's table calls you over for 5 refills. If you go get the refills first, Jane Doe isn't going to be too happy waiting 4-5 minutes to get her check and won't tip well. Doing it my way, she'd get her check, I'd go get 2 refills to the table that would be mine and then check on Jane Doe's table to see if she was ready to pay. Doing it your way, you'd probably get all 7 drinks at once and making poor Jane Doe wait ALL THAT TIME TO LEAVE for NO REAL REASON by letting cutting happen when you didn't have to.
So you don't know WHAT the hell you are talking about. I would make LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY, because I am not as LAZY ASS and UNCARING as you are. I would BUST MY ASS for my customers to be fair and do what was right for them. I wouldn't want to make someone wait longer than what their turn should be, because it's unfair to do that.
See, you are admitting that we all have turns. So you see, you are wrong and I am right!! WE ALL HAVE TURNS, WE ALL HAVE TURNS!! IT'S UNFAIR TO LET CUTTING HAPPEN!!
With the Red Lobster waitress, WHY do that sort of thing?
"MAYBE just MAYBE she knew it would take a little amount of time as opposed to dropping off the main course, maybe she did it so you could be on her upmost undivided attention for when you do ask for that extra side of ranch you're not going to use, or for your a1 sauce on your well done filet because you dont know how to eat a real steak. "
If you can't do the right thing, WHY bring out more than one table's food then? Seriously, make separate trips then if you can't do the morally right thing. QUIT BEING SO GOD DAMN MF LAZY ASS!
If she wanted my undivided attention should would have left the side salads in the kitchen where they BELONGED since it wasn't that couple's turn to begin with. THAT would have been the right thing to only bring out ONE table's food at a time.
For the love of god, Bitchy, make a new post so we can get away from this miserable old hag whose manners are as outdated and dried up as her ovaries.
Leslie
"I said not to treat your server like your bitch cause they're not."
I don't, I am NICE. I ask for things NICELY. I am polite, saying thank you, etc.
"2. why should i kill myself to "make the most money" so seven dollars. big deal. I can get seven buck from my parents not a big deal. that seven dollars won't do me good. My main concern getting you out of my section cause the next guests I have will like i said MAKE UP the tip I missed out on"
You sound VERY LAZY!! WHY are you there if you aren't there to make the MOST money you could make, I DON'T UNDERSTAND? WHY BE SO LAZY?
"yes but I don't expect the server to do every little thing right. "
Everyone else that is normal DOES. That's why they go out to eat, not to have a miserable time with things going wrong. WHY GO THEN if you are going to look at going to a restaurant as if the glass is half-empty?
I know we all make mistakes, but most of the time I do find that servers are too lazy to prevent them that they didn't *TRY* their best such as handing me my food without my side dish for example. Obviously they didn't compare their written order to the ticket if they are my server they have a written order.
"And me being a human that is rational knows that and don't stress out when I have to wait a little mere 5 minutes for something like a check. its called having PATIENCE. something you obviously are lacking and didn't get taught while growing up as a child."
There's a HUGE DIFFERENCE between if other customer's turns are BEFORE US or not. If they are then it's fair, if our server decides to serve others after us not only get their requests, but actually bring out the requests that they had just asked for BEFORE our check request that was first is just wrong. I have patience when it's *FAIR*, NOT when I see cutting, because it has to do with respect and if they want your money, HOW can they think that's the way to get it to let CUTTING happen? Being rude isn't going to get a good tip, that's common sense.
"You say that you would take the crap as a server but funny thing is you haven't had to which is why I guess its so easy for you to say you would."
I served customers food at a donut shop/diner so I have had some customers be mean and bitchy to me for things that I couldn't control like how long their food took when I put their order in and it took time to cook it wasn't like their food sat, it wasn't done cooking yet.
I took the crap and all I wanted was MONEY. That's why I was there.
Hey Springs? What's your address? I want to send you a huge tub of ranch dressing.
Springs obviously has some issues with himself. Most people that post negative reviews about servers, service, etc. must have some kind of guilt about dining out. Don't. We're here to serve you, yes, but not on your neurotic whim of "who got there first" and "I AM THE MOST IMPORTANT!". We're doing a job. Like a bank teller, or a nurse, or a teacher, and we depend on your input to be paid. No, it's not glamorous, which is why so many servers bitch. Because we are offering a service, and it's a bullshit service, but it pays our bills and it's what we can do for whatever hand of cards that was dealt us. Just like working in an office, we make the most of our job, but it's not TPS reports that piss us off. It's you. Relax, take a breath, and realize life exists beyond you, is unfortunate, and we are all along for the ride.
Its not called being lazy. "work smart not hard"
Again. Its about consolidation, time saving, and making the GUEST happy. (notice how i didn't say customer)
Its a restaurant springs. Not a fucking cafeteria. if you want things NOW then go to McDonalds where there is your imaginary line with turns.
#imsooverthis
Hello,
I saw you on Doctor Phil as well. I do not have any children, however; I have nieces and nephews whom I have looked after and cared for. They are very well behaved, my sister in law and brother would not tolerate any misbehaving as children. So, yes when parents say, they are just children, they are. Parents have to step up to the plate and start controlling their children. I don't blame the child one bit. When I am in a restaurant, it drives me nutty when a child is screaming and I am paying money just like everyone else. The only thing I can suggest is, instead of banning kids, have no kids under the age of 12 after 6:00 pm in the evenings. I believe that is fair for everyone. Parents can bring their kids and adults can have a choice to eat in peace.
I don't know your real name or where you work, so we're good! Saw that Dr. Phil Show (on Youtube). Just love you, hate kids. Hate them even more if they're in a restaurant and ruining my lunch. Hate that Chinese chick who complained that her kid didn't deserve steak. Sure he does. She should learn to cook . . .
If you were a waiter at a restaurant near me, I'd definitely sit at your table. You'd like me. I never tip less than 30 percent unless you really screw it up. My best friend is a bartender. She trained me well.
so while everyone is riding the springs train i'm just going to comment on 3, 8, and 9.
springs maybe needs a lesson in 8 and 9.
And to everyone else, dealing with springs view point is really not worth getting upset/annoyed/peeved about. in fact, you'll have better luck teaching a brick wall to speak than getting springs to admit that other people have valid points too
Springs1 is a troll of an interesting variety- she is either the *worst customer in the world* who terrorizes 20-year-old servers in their first job at Chili's with requests for multiple sides of ranch and soda refills, and then feels so wronged by her experience with these poor underpaid souls that she writes page after page of insults in CAPITAL LETTERS. Or its actually some fat dude sitting at home pulling the funniest fucking prank ever (this shit has been going on for years). Even if its a prank, dude, you seriously have no life. Your message gets a little watered down when you repeat yourself ten million times, and i will never have the patience to read more then one post of your bizarre ramblings.
What does everyone think, attention-desperate troll or psychotic red lobster regular?
I'm just really confused about Springs1 obsession with the moral integrity of her server.
Jeez if she hates the way she's waited upon perhaps she should stay inside and never leave the house at all
And realy. If 2 orders come up at the same time, and the tables are roughly in the same area, I am going to take all the plates out together and distribute them in distance order, some some crazy zigzag around the restaurant.
And I don't give a shit about her opinion of my morals.
This was an awesome post and so very true. Of all the jobs I've had, being a server has taught me the most.
A big +1 for number 8. It costs nothing to be nice, so why be mean? If anything being mean will end up costing you in the long run because people will treat you badly in return anyway they can.
I'd love to see Springs reaction if someone set down a cold dinner in front over her and said "Sorry your dinner went cold, but I had to top up the water for that table and prepare drinks for that other table because they asked me to do so before the kitchen had finished cooking your order, and it was their turn to be served after all"
She'd be better off dining at a carvery. Just line up and have your plate of food handed to you before you pay and sit down, that way there's no chance of anyone cutting ahead of you.
Maybe the dead horse has already been well beaten but someone who dines at Red Lobster is talking about others being MORALLY WRONG? No offense meant to servers there, but marine biologists refer to some fish species depletion as "the Red Lobster effect."
We all have to do our part to make this world a safe and sane place for all living creatures.
Thank You, Bitchy Waiter for removing the scales from our eyes.
Springs1- I work at a bar in Garden City, MI. Feel free to come in there and get angry if I don't serve you in the "order" you feel is required. I will show you the business end of an Absolut Bottle, and the door.
Hope to see ya soon. Ps. 11am-7pm Mon - Thurs. Let me know its you so I can give you some extra love. :)
Mandy
"Springs1 is a troll"
NO, I AM NOT A TROLL!!
A
"springs to admit that other people have valid points too"
HOW is it a valid point to make the 1st person wait the longest when they don't do that even waiting for a table even? That's UNFAIR!! There is no validation for CUTTING!!I HOPE SOMEONE CUTS IN FRONT OF YOU TO MAKE YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS!! Such as you asked for your check, now you are there 10 minutes waiting just for the check because your server decided to not only go get other people's orders when they weren't called over or had any other previously ordered stuff, but they also GOT ALL of their request as well making you sit there the LONGEST!! If you don't think that's wrong, you need to BE in that situation then, because it's WRONG and it SUCKS!!
Springs, I don't think you've emphasized your points enough. Could you please use more *'s, !'s and CAPS?
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
*catches breath*
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Oh mercy, I thinking I'm laughing to death!
Springs springs springs
You are far too easy my dear. But in all fairness I think you could stand to make your point a little clearer. Try adding font size 26, emboldening it, adding some italics and throwing in underlining for the hell of it. Or just stop talking absolute shit, which ever you prefer.
On second thought scratch that last one. As it is; you are an international laughing stock by your own design, so much fun to laugh at and totally worth trolling. Where you to STFU it would be a grievous loss of entertainment for the rest of us normal, rational people.
OMG!! DMT you cut in front of me with that comment!! where are your MoRals?
@A
*high-fives*
There's a reason springs only seems to eat at chain restaurants, beyond her obvious undying love for mozzarella sticks, ranch and diet soda- only corporate restaurants and newbie servers would put up with her crap. My boss would throw her out for being a disturbance.
Hi, Springs. While I applaud your enthusiasm, I am going to ask you to refrain from commenting anymore. We get it. It's enough. You are crowding my email box with your comments. I know that you have several of your own blogs to continue your rant. Thank you.
Springs fails to understand that as far as restaurants go, hungry people ALL want to be first and have absolutely no sense of fairness when it comes to getting service. Also fails to understand getting triple-sat or the 30 second greeting rule (or what have you)and fails to understand that AT LEAST TWO of your five tables are going to monopolize your time by sending you back for something every time you bring another thing!
Springs types too much. He's (or she) is the customer that says, "I'M READY TO ORDER!", but then takes 5 minutes deciding what side they wanted...
Anonymous
"hungry people ALL want to be first and have absolutely no sense of fairness when it comes to getting service."
They DO KNOW though, that's the difference here.
"Also fails to understand getting triple-sat or the 30 second greeting rule (or what have you)"
If that rule truly was true, a wonderful waiter that we had wouldn't have gotten to be manager, because once he made us wait 5 minutes to get fully greeted. He did a mini-greet of "I'll be right with you all" and made us wait 5 minutes. He became a manager. Also, I have seen MANY servers STILL KEEP THEIR JOBS when they have made us wait more than 5 minutes even to get greeted even. So that rule means NOTHING. Also, most people don't want to be greeted in 30 seconds, because people want to read the menu for possible bar drinks and appetizers. I would say a min. to a min. and a half to 2 minutes is good greet time.
"fails to understand that AT LEAST TWO of your five tables are going to monopolize your time by sending you back for something every time you bring another thing!"
No, I DO realize that, because I have done that before, you know I am a customer too. The thing is, just because they ask for something doesn't mean you have to go do it, because NOW they are at the BACK of the LINE per say for their request, understand? For example, let's say table 2 asks for 2 refills, table 3 asks for a side of ranch, and table 4 asks for their check. As you bring table 2's refills, let's say they ask for some extra napkins. If no other people's stuff is ready a the time or nobody else calls you over, Table 3's turn is next, then same thing if nobody's stuff is ready or you aren't called over, it's table 4's turn. Then after that if nobody's stuff is ready or you aren't called over, THEN table 2 can receive their napkins, UNDERSTAND? I don't know WHY you don't understand that you can still go in the ORDER in which people came in?
If there's a situation such as table 5 needs to refills and while you are getting their refills a couple is sat at table 6, but table 5 asks for a margarita now they just decided on, well they beat table 6's ordering to the punch so it's still table 5's turn, because table 6 didn't get to order yet.
Do you understand that you make NO SENSE WHAT-SO-EVER that you can do things in the ORDER in which people ask for things, huh?
Anonymous
"He's (or she) is the customer that says, "I'M READY TO ORDER!", but then takes 5 minutes deciding what side they wanted..."
NO, I HAVE NEVER AND WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER DO THAT!! I ALWAYS TELL MY SERVER WHEN I NEED MORE TIME!! I AM VERY CONSIDERATE!!
I have things picked out 99% of the time *BEFORE* I even GO to the restaurant, because I go online to the menu if there is one or I go there enough that I know what I want already. So you are VERY WRONG!!
I read your post about the comment or well several comments that "Spring" was making on this post. I just had to read them. So entertaining. :] You make several great points to counter this person who obviously has no idea what they are talking about. Love your blog, Bitchy!
Katie
"this person who obviously has no idea what they are talking about."
I know MORE that MOST servers do on how to do the job and the menus, even MANAGERS even.
I want to know what states Springs1 lives in so I never, ever, ever move there and take a serving job.
Springs... honestly, I scrolled through a lot of that bull, so sorry if this has been addressed already, but we are there to make the most money, and aren't lazy, or stupid, which means getting people like you out of our sections so we can make money off of people who are there to have a nice meal and enjoy our attention, not some overly picky jerk who won't tip much anyways, It's called work smarter, not harder. And seriously, call me lazy. I'm a bit of a veteran who could decorate her wall with 'you're effing awesome' comments from co-workers, managers, and most importantly, customers. We just know who is really worth our efforts (and not just money wise, because you see, there's this funny thing... money, surprisingly, isn't everything) and who won't be satisfied no matter what. I hope, for the love of the human race, that you are some really super bored troll.
And as for your original post, he WAS talking about bar drinks. Which can take a minute to make and that pace is not up to the server, it's up to the bartender. I've been on both sides of that bar and I know this well.
Don;t bother replying, because just like a crappy table, I won't be checking back for your input.
Bitchy, I love your blog, and especially love this post. Thanks for being a stem of support in this mad, mad line of work. I think we're all a bit crazy and a bit wonderful to do it, but I may be biased :)
Donna N.
"aren't lazy, or stupid"
Then TELL ME WHY at TIMES I KNEW THE *MENUS* ********BETTER********* THAN THE SERVERS AND MANAGERS, HUH? I can tell you some stories.
I know how to do the job BETTER than most servers for REAL!! They are STUPID when you have to do things like once I had to spell Jose Cuervo to a waitress at Chili's. That's pathetic it really is.
LAZY, how come I have had servers admit they did not compare the menu prices to the check prices, one said "I DON'T ADD IT UP" just because a price was together $21.99 add crawfish $4.99 that it was $28.48, but was supposed to be $26.98, which you don't even need a calculator to just simply round 22 plus 5 is NOT $28, is it?
"there to make the most money,"
If they are there to make the most money WHY aren't they DOING the things they need to do to MAKE the most money, by trying to be a MISTAKE PREVENTER since most issues are OBVIOUS to the EYES or I have seen at times servers that are too lazy to make a separate trip for the soft drinks when bar drinks are ordered? People count if they wait 10 minutes for a freakin coke. 2 cokes shouldn't take 10 minutes just because a bar drink is ordered.
"some overly picky jerk who won't tip much anyways,"
I have and WILL if you give *************WORK HARD AND **********CARE************ about WTF YOU ARE DOING TO TRY YOUR BEST!! 25%-30% and up at times we have tipped MANY of times before. I am not a jerk, the uncaring, lazy servers are and YOU ARE!!
Donna N.
"Which can take a minute to make and that pace is not up to the server, it's up to the bartender."
NOT ALL THE TIME IDIOT!!
1. The server can forget the order from the bar. We have had this happen ***********SEVERAL************ TIMES TO US OVER THE YEARS!! Once at a fine dining restaurant that we spent almost $300 just the 2 of us. I reminded the waiter, he just grabbed it straight from the bar, HE FORGOT. Another time, at Applebee's, I waited 25mins for a margarita, turns out the waiter forgot and ADMITTED SO. Another time, they were out of the Presidente shakers at Chili's, which the waitress didn't know because she didn't go to find out this and asked me if I had gotten it 16 mins. later, by the time I got my margarita it was a half an hour altogether due to the WAITRESS since she didn't go see about it within 8-10 mins. from ordering it.
2. We have had servers bring out OBVIOUSLY WRONG DRINKS OR THINGS THAT WERE OBVIOUS THAT WEREN'T CORRECT like no salt on the rim of the glass for a margarita when ordered salt, but brought it out to us anyway. We have had a waitress once when I ordered a WHITE RUSSIAN made with kahlua and absolut vodka. She brings it out a black russian literally in a CLEAR GLASS you can notice DUH no cream or milk. She didn't obviously know what a white russian looked like and duh why it's called "WHITE", so she was a VERY DINGY WAITRESS I must say. I had a waitress bring out a frozen mudslide when I ordered a white russian with grey goose vodka and kahlua.
3. We had at least one server for sure that ADMITTED she FORGOT to put in my order for my mai tai, because she was TOO LAZY ASS TO WRITE DOWN MY ORDERS!
4. I have seen servers not go put in the order right after getting it and DECIDING to do a full greet at the next table or DECIDING without being called over to go see how other customers are rather than going to put the order as soon as they could in a *FAIR* manner INTENTIONALLY DELAYING the order.
This waitress proves you wrong as well:
http://www.cafemom.com/group/416/forums/read/13184309/how_do_you_tip_your_server?next=1#replies
AutymsMommy said: "I was a bartender during college and I can tell you that in my bar, it was generally the servers fault when bar drinks didn't get to a table in a decent amount of time. I would make service drinks first (I could entertain my bar customers easier than you can explain to a table why it's taking so long to get a drink)... put them on the service bar and the waiters were supposed to pick them up. I can't tell you how many times those drinks would sit there for 5-10 minutes. Then I would have the server bringing the drink back complaining that the customer said it was "watered down."
So you aren't Miss Know-it-all, even a former bartender tells you the TRUTH!!
Spring1's comments are quite seriously inspiring me to go out with a buddie's film crew to a Red Lobster, yell "A side of ranch for everyone in the house!!", then have more friends dressed as waitresses and waiters pour outta the crew van and do a Chorus Line singing "WE ALL HAVE TURNS!!!!WE ALL HAVE TURNS!!!!"
...Just for you, Springs1. Something as inane as you are =P
Springs1
I hope, when it's time to 'wait' at the Pearly Gates, they SHOVE you to the head of the line and give the rest of us a rest from you back here on Earth. Because you know what? never mind, you always have the answer to everything, so I don't have to tell you anything. Besides, you were here FIRST so you deserve to talk LOUDER than I, be read BEFORE ME, and have your CAKE. Enjoy your time in Hell. OOps, I mean, Heaven...
Springs1 you are full of such nonsense i don't know where to begin. I DID work at a restaurant with a 30 second greet rule so STFU. I don't give a rat's ass if it's a bad policy, IT WAS THE POLICY and you better believe 2 of our 3 floor managers were enforcing it. In the REAL WORLD there's just no such thing as you are talking about. It's all in your head, so please just keep it between you and your therapist. I hope your beer is warm, your dinner is cold and if you EVER come to Detroit you will be bitch slapped into the next time zone.
Springs, do you have a job? Or are you still an unemployed lazy fuddy leeching the system?
Nenni
"an unemployed lazy bum?"
I am not lazy, FARRRR FROM IT. I am not a bum either.
Springs, stop stepping around the question. Are you or are you not unemployed?
This is just too fun, been following this drama since it started.
Found this story on NotAlwaysRight, and I immediately thought it simply had to be Springs1. At least until I realized this story is from UK, not the US, http://notalwaysright.com/give-one-get-one-free/6765.
"I ordered first so I should have my food first and don't give a s**t if the other customer gets cold food."
I can't resist.
Springs1, about your "turn" system.
You "turn" ends when I take your order. If you sit first, I will do my best to make sure you get your drinks first, and your order is taken first, in an effort to make sure everyone has roughly equal wait times. No one can say "well I was here longer than that table..." unless something goes wrong and disrupts my process, forcing me to go out of "turns".
However, once your food gets rung in, that set of "turns" is over. Because food takes different amounts of time to cook. A table that sat 5 minutes after you and only ordered an appetizer is going to get their food before you get your ribs (with a bathtub of ranch and A1, of course). Which means that, despite your order being taken first, it is their "turn" to receive their food before yours, because your food isn't up yet.
As for the Red Lobster example that you keep bringing up, as if it were the single greatest slight anyone has ever inflicted upon you? If their salads were in the window at the same time as your entree, then both your "turns" are interchangeable. Your food came up at the same time, and was trayed at the same time, thus you will receive it at the same time, or an approximation of the same time (less the 5 seconds it took to travel from their table to yours).
Just in case this is all too complex for you, allow me to use an anology of a fast food restaurant, since that seems to be your most familar method of dining.
You wait your "turn" to order. Once that order is complete, you wait in a different line, in which your food may not be given to you in the order that the tickets were given. This is because one ticket may have ordered fries, which need to be cooked, while another may have ordered onion rings, which are ready. You have to wait your "turn" to receive your food, which is a seperate "turn" from when you ordered your food, as it is a different line.
So, really, it's very unlikely anyone is bringing your food out of "turn" and being, I quote, *********** MORALLY WRONG !!!!!!! *************
You're just a bitch who doesn't realize she doesn't understand anything.
I like how springs (boing boing) can single-handedly void and nullify EVERY SINGLE experience and issue that an entire body of professionals has had over what must be several life spans of restaurant careers as though we absolutely have no idea what we're talking about! It takes a really special mind to be able to obliterate reality like that! What's the word I'm looking for?...hmm, pathological? bigoted? miscreant? goes a little beyond narcissism...I know!!BOLLOCKS !!! YAY!!
OH NO. Now that I've found this I will surely waste endless hours reading this crazy Spring person's blogs and comments. What a nutter! Crazy people entertain me!
Nambs!
"You "turn" ends when I take your order."
NO, that's when it BEGINS. It's still our turn when you go to that computer to put the order in, otherwise, we will be waiting longer because of ************YOU*****************, NO ONE ELSE.
Here is a waitress that agrees with me:
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?postID=68058508028813746&blogID=2427972693054652420&isPopup=false&page=4
Stef319 said: "In my opinion, MT, once an order is taken, it should be put into the computer IMMEDIATELY. Once my guests place their order with me, the clock begins to tick. They should be getting their apps 5-10 minutes after they PLACE their order, and their entrees should take between 20-30 minutes (where I work). You really should not start off a new table with an appetizer or dinner order on hold. The guests who just placed their order (who are hungry) are watching you approach another table. You then have to build your rapport, go over the specials, and possibly answer questions. This can potentially be very time consuming and your guests are not going to appreciate the delay in your service. There are other times when it is acceptable to work all your tables together, but when you have a food order you shouldn't be doing this. The correct way to handle this is to approach the table (with the other tables' menus in hand) and acknowledge their presence, and tell them YOU WILL BE RIGHT BACK. Then you ring in the order, go back to the table, and then you can do your greeting, go over specials, answer questions, etc. Now you can take your time with the new table cause you know that your other tables' food is getting worked on by the kitchen. I know that this can be time-consuming but it really is worth it. Waste no time getting food orders in."
Notice how she says "The guests who just placed their order (who are hungry) are watching you approach another table. This can potentially be very time consuming and your guests are not going to appreciate the delay in your service."
See how people WILL NOTICE this? Even a WAITRESS says this. The customers aren't going to appreciate you making them wait longer, because of something *YOU* caused. A Red Lobster manager *********AGREED********* with me as well over the phone when I told her about that a waitress we had decided to go to 2 other tables before putting in our food orders. That's delaying the customer's food sometimes as long as 5-10 mins. at times if the customers are asking questions, modifications, etc.
"However, once your food gets rung in, that set of "turns" is over. Because food takes different amounts of time to cook. A table that sat 5 minutes after you and only ordered an appetizer is going to get their food before you get your ribs (with a bathtub of ranch and A1, of course). Which means that, despite your order being taken first, it is their "turn" to receive their food before yours, because your food isn't up yet."
I HAVE NEVER ONCE said ANYTHING about this. This is DUHH a well done steak is going to take longer than someone that orders a chicken sandwich. I DO HAVE COMMON SENSE YOU KNOW!!
My complaint is about things the server *******CAN********* CONTROL which *IS* putting in orders as they are given, handing things off of a tray in the order in which it was taken in, and doing the request in which it was taking in for things they can control like refills or the check for example.
Continued next posts:
Nambs! Continued:
"If their salads were in the window at the same time as your entree, then both your "turns" are interchangeable. Your food came up at the same time, and was trayed at the same time, thus you will receive it at the same time, or an approximation of the same time (less the 5 seconds it took to travel from their table to yours)."
You know less than I do. The manager at Red Lobster told me the servers make the side salads. YOU ARE IGNORANT! I been knowing this since 2007 or so and you don't, how hilarious is that?
http://www.careerleak.com/red-lobster/server-771/
"Besides serving food I would make salads,"
But it is *********IMPOSSIBLE********** to receive it at the same time unless another server would have handed us ours.
She should have BYPASSED that table and gave us ours first since we ordered ***********BEFORE********** THEY WERE EVEN IN THE BUILDING EVEN. That's just the "MORALLY RIGHT" THING TO DO NOT TO LET CUTTING HAPPEN.
It has to do with the PRINCIPLE of things.
I don't care if it's 5 seconds or less, the fact that that was *********OUR 5 SECONDS********** that she took from us. That's RUDE to CUT. FUCK YOU IF YOU EXPECT A TIP FOR CUTTING.
If I were the server, I would have not even brought out both table's foods, just because the action of even putting the side salads on the tray was 2-3 seconds of the 1st table's time. WHY do that to them? That's UNFAIR!!
Also, do you really know if our server just decided to finish the salads while our food sat? We don't know, do we?
What I do know is that I saw she could have not given them their food first when she knows we ordered first. It's COMMON SENSE you act like it was a LINE if you expect a *FAIR* and *GOOD* tip. It's rude to let cutting happen. I hope you get cut in front of.
I have had this happen before as well like we ordered mozzarella sticks and the 2nd table ordered a cup of soup after us. The waiter handed them their soup first. Sorry, but that's wrong. You know WHO ordered first, you can do the "MORALLY RIGHT" thing and not be UNFAIR like that by taking up people's time that shouldn't be taken up. If you can't hand it out in the correct order, make separate trips.
I don't understand how you can say it is at the same time when it isn't? 5 seconds is 5 seconds that is CUTTING. I don't give a flying fuck if it's one second, it's the fact that she *CHOSE* to hand it out of order. She could have chosen to do the right thing. I know I would have.
" You have to wait your "turn" to receive your food, which is a seperate "turn" from when you ordered your food, as it is a different line."
I am NOT talking about things you can't control IDIOT!! Handing things off a tray in the correct order is something you can control. Putting things on a tray for multiple tables when you don't have to is something you can control as well. Getting the items that people ask for is in your control. You may be stopped by a table on your way, but you can still do the things you can control in the correct order. For example, some table asks for 2 refills first, the next table asks for a dessert and their check. You would go get the refills first, then put in the dessert, print out the check and hand them their check. You wouldn't go put in the order for the dessert first and delay the people that asked for their refills first, that's unfair. Understand the things I am complaining about are things the *******SERVER********* CAN CONTROL, NOT THE KITCHEN STAFF, NOT THE BARTENDER, THE *SERVER*?
Continued next posts:
Nambs! Continued:
"it's very unlikely anyone is bringing your food out of "turn" and being, I quote, *********** MORALLY WRONG !"
NO, they ********ARE*********, because you can take it off the tray in the correct order and you can do the things in the correct order that are in your control.
If table 4 asks for some extra napkins first and 2 refills, table 5 asks for a box, a bag, and the check second, table 6 asks for 4 refills, a good, caring, morally right server would: Get table 4's napkins and 2 refills first, then get table 5's box, bag, and check second, get 4 refills for the last table, table 6. Then go back to ring up table 5's check.
You would probably make table 5 wait longer to get 6 refills on a tray, wouldn't you taking up taking up table 4's time and table 5's time(they want to leave and getting them out of there is to YOUR advantage as well) OR you would probably get table 5's box, bag, and the check first which is delaying table 4's time for no real reason that is unfair.
Do you understand that I am ***********NOT*********** talking about things servers can't control, only what they can, huh?
Nambs! One more thing:
"You're just a bitch who doesn't realize she doesn't understand anything."
NO, *******YOU ARE AN UNFAIR BITCH that doesn't understand *TIME* that it is **********IMPOSSIBLE********** for her to give food to our table at the same exact moment as some other table and she wasted seconds putting those side salads on the same tray when she could and SHOULD have made a *******SEPARATE****** TRIP since *WE* ORDERED ************BEFORE********* THEY EVEN WERE IN THE BUILDING EVEN. This was a Friday I had a vacation day that day at around almost 12p.m. by the time our food came, we probably ordered around 11:20-11:25a.m.(we were seated around 11:15a.m. So this wasn't even when they had a wait for a table or anything, this was when it wasn't too busy and it was on a weekday even, not on Saturday or Sunday even.
YOU don't KNOW ANYTHING, because **I** KNOW MORE THAN YOU, HOW ABOUT THAT, THAT YOU DON'T KNOW THE SERVERS MAKE THE SIDE SALADS AT RED LOBSTER, HOW ABOUT THAT ONE FOR YA STUPID, UNCARING, AND UNFAIR BITCH?
I know **A LOT** MORE THAN YOU that I know it's not at the same time when you hand things off a tray. YOU ARE TOO STUPID TO HAVE COMMON SENSE!!
You don't realize that I NEVER ONCE was talking about cooking times DUMBASS IDIOT!! I am complaining about taking something off a tray and handing it to a customer in the wrong order and going to get things in the order and waiting to put in orders when it's still that person's turn.
You have A LOT of CONTROL of HOW LONG customers wait for things.
Even waiting for a table, a server has control over to a degree, because if the server puts in the order wrong or brings out the wrong thing or makes a mistake on the check, that's more time the customers are there that the new set of customers can't be seated. Every mistake that the server can control has to do with how long people end up sitting taking up tables for other customers waiting in the waiting area.
********YOU*********** DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING STUPID BITCH THAT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW SERVERS MAKE THE SIDE SALADS AT RED LOBSTER.
At some restaurants, servers make the desserts. A server actually told me this.
Nambs!
Stef319 said "There are other times when it is acceptable to work all your tables together,"
An acceptable thing would be like if let's say we just gave our food orders, but you get called over, well obviously you can't ignore them, so you have to go over there to ask what they would like. THAT would be an example of an acceptable way to work your tables altogether, because I know when I call my server over, I would not like it if my server told me "I will come back, because I have an order to put in", they'd stiff my ass if I did that and it would be VERY RUDE. It's acceptable if they call you over or if someone's things were ordered *BEFORE* we ordered our food that were ready(or something in the server's control that was asked for before our order was gotten) or if the customers have a mistake(which is being called over). The thing is, with a mistake, you should put that as TOP PRIORITY since that person truly ordered first out of *ANYONE ELSE*, that means let's say you just got our entrée orders, someone at another table calls you over to say their steak is not cooked enough, I would expect you to fix their steak issue first *BEFORE* you put our entrée orders in, because truly they did order *BEFORE* we did. It's only fair since they have a mistake with their food.
Understand what Stef319 is trying to say that certain things are acceptable to work your tables together, some aren't. Acceptable would be if you are called over to go to get what the person asked, what is unacceptable is to do what they asked for first when we ordered first. For example, we ordered our entrées, the next table asks for their check, well since they are second, they should wait the entire time you put in our orders for their check, it's only fair, understand what I am saying? Unacceptable would be to get their check first. The time you print the check and bring it out just costs us more than that amount of time even, because now other servers and the bartender may have put in other orders ahead of ours, especially if it's the same food, made the same way.
Understand what Stef319 and I are saying?
NO! NONONONO!!! NO One is going to make separate trips when they can load up the tray with every available order. You are such an unbelievable idiot! If there's hot food on the tray it gets served before the cold food, period. Food is served in order of timing, NOT TURNS.TIMING. You don't know what that is, do you?
Only an IDIOT would go to the POS, print a check, take it back to the guest, wait for them to dig through the wallet, take it back to the POS, cash it out, return it to the table for signature, and then go back to the POS and put in your order. If I have a guest with a puking child who needs to leave IMMEDIATELY I will cash them out before putting in your order, and that's my MORAL imperative. If you're in such a bloody hurry that 5 seconds of your precious time is wasted then you should stay home with a feeding tube shoved down your throat whilst sitting on the loo.
Unknown
"NO One is going to make separate trips when they can load up the tray with every available order."
That's because they are TOO LAZY TO. Some servers don't use a tray. I knew of one waitress at a TGIFriday's back in 2005 that said she would spill things more if she used a tray, so she didn't use a tray. It's true, drinks are much easily toppled over on a tray. I've done it myself at fast food restaurants before dropped my drink before, it's easy to do.
Caring servers would do it the way I am saying. Taking up seconds for another table is wrong. For example, table 1 that was first asked for 2 refills, as you pass by table 2 which is 2nd, asked for 4 refills, you'd probably get all 6 on tray. I wouldn't, I would get the 2 refills so I wouldn't take up table 1's time UNFAIRLY, UNNECESSARILY for NO REASON. I would feel so horrible if I made table 1 wait for me to fill 4 drinks and especially if I had the gall to hand the 4 drinks first that was ordered second. I don't know how you people LIVE WITH YOURSELF EVERYDAY KNOWING YOU ARE CUTTING, THEN *EXPECT* A GOOD TIP OR EVEN A TIP AT ALL, WTF???? I TRULY DON'T GET THAT? YOU CUT, THEN EXPECT RESPECT BACK, WTF, WTF, WTF?????
"You are such an unbelievable idiot!"
YOU ARE AN UNCARING, ASSHOLE!!
"If there's hot food on the tray it gets served before the cold food, period."
Hot food would be ordered before cold food anyways, DUHH, because it takes LONGER to cook the food than to make a salad for example. I agree with you. The fact that the person that ordered hot food which was *US* should have been handed ours first just as I am SAYING TO YOU STUPID IDIOT!! You are AGREEING WITH ME with this Red Lobster situation. We ordered the hot food, the other couple ordered side salads.
"Food is served in order of timing, NOT TURNS.TIMING."
NO, food is supposed to be served by TURNS.
If you have 2 table's foods on a tray you are supposed to hand them in the ORDER in which table ordered first. For example, let's say table 1 ordered 2 burgers on the same tray the table that ordered 2nd(table 2) ordered 2 chicken sandwiches. If they both came up at the same time and both were on the same tray, a good, decent, and caring server would hand them out in the correct order in which they came in if they expected a good tip for not cutting. Honestly, a caring server would not even put all 4 items on the tray. They would put 2 items, the burgers since they were ordered first. If table 1 let's say ask at the time of me serving them they wanted some ranch, table 2 would have their food brought out next, not table 1's ranch since table 1's request for ranch came *********AFTER******** table 2's order.
" You don't know what that is, do you?"
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE A GOOD TIP!! You make a good tip by ************RESPECTING THE CUSTOMER'S TURNS************ WITHOUT CUTTING!!! You don't like getting cut in front of, don't do it to someone else, it's that simple if you expect a good tip. Treat others as if that were your turn how would you feel.
Continued next posts:
Unknown Continued:
"Only an IDIOT would go to the POS, print a check, take it back to the guest, wait for them to dig through the wallet, take it back to the POS, cash it out, return it to the table for signature, and then go back to the POS and put in your order."
I NEVER, EVER SUGGESTED TO "WAIT" for someone to get money out. I said print the check, go serve someone else that needs something or clean or restock so they can read their check in peace, then come back when they have their method of payment ready just like you normally would have happen.
"If I have a guest with a puking child who needs to leave IMMEDIATELY I will cash them out before putting in your order, and that's my MORAL imperative."
If they are puking in the bathroom then that's morally wrong of you.
If they are puking in the dining area then I agree with you due to sanitary issues.
It depends on the situation. If it's altering other guest then by all means get that table out, but if the child is puking in the bathroom, it's not altering anyone in the dining area to make their turn be first when it's not, understand?
"If you're in such a bloody hurry that 5 seconds of your precious time is wasted then you should stay home with a feeding tube shoved down your throat whilst sitting on the loo."
I bet you hate waiting, don't you? Wouldn't the world be so nice if we didn't have to wait for anything, no lines, no traffic? WHO THE HELL LIKES WAITING? EVERYONE WANTS THINGS NOW, THIS MOMENT, NO MATTER WHO IT IS. I don't care if they say they don't mind waiting, they are at some time thirsty or hungry as all hell or just plain in a hurry to go home, etc. NO ONE WANTS TO WAIT A SECOND LONGER THAN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO AND YOU KNOW IT, EVEN YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO, BE HONEST NOW!!
Lolololololol, 5 ridiculously long posts to counteract mine? I would call that a fairly successful trolling of the troll.
Nambs!
"Lolololololol, 5 ridiculously long posts to counteract mine?"
So you have NOTHING to say about your stupid post of assuming I was talking about cooking times, huh?
"I would call that a fairly successful trolling of the troll."
I am not a troll. All I want is to get treated as the server wants to get treated in the tip. I want an EQUAL, EQUAL relationship between customer and server just as they want us to do if they bust their ass for us(to TIP HIGH). Tipping is a give and take relationship, not just a take.
I have a life which I don't want to waste arguing with someone who is wrong. So no, I do not have anything to say. I'd much rather laugh at you and see how many posts you can make out of this reply. I only hope your ! key doesn't fall off, or you may lose the ability to communicate for life.
We should all be so lucky. :)
Nambs!
"which I don't want to waste arguing with someone who is wrong."
NO, you just can't prove that I am wrong, but I sure as hell proved I am right and you KNOW IT THAT IS THE GOD'S TRUTH!!
I AM NOT WRONG, I ***********PROVED*********** THAT!! WHERE'S YOUR PROOF? OH YEAH, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY, DO YOU?
Springs, seriously. Go away. Enough with the comments. We're good.
Not too sure what is up with Springs1, but to be on topic; I agree with all 10 points, most of them could even be taught to children and titled 'How to be a good human!' I love the 'it's only lunch' comment, I wish someone would have told me that when I was still in the industry, i would have been much less stressed!
I'm printing this out to show the newbies at at work. This is gold.
Possibly the way the plates were trayed it would be impossible to get your plates first ****UNDERSTAND***** if their table is closer than yours, why walk past it just to set down 2 plates. ******UNDERSTAND****
Morally right? Are you kidding me. Its food not life or death. You don't know that server and to call her immorale and a bitch is FAR. FROM. MORALLY. RIGHT. ****UNDERSTAND****
I heard something similar to #3 from a guy I worked with at a pizza joint about 10 years back. "It's only pizza. We're not saving lives here."
I think of him every time I start to feel frazzled. Also, he introduced me to HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH...
Have a looksie at this, a web series about biting your tongue while serving. hope you enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxISd-lMtN8
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/table-12
I'm assuming your the same person claiming it's not *FAIR that someone else's food comes out first if you ordered before them....even if they ordered a salad, and you, a well done burger. Your preoccupation with what's Fair and Moral belongs in a courtroom not on a dining floor. We are just trying to get you that drink as fast as possible without letting someone stare at the dessert on their table with not a utensil in site. Relax and enjoy your company and meal and stop worrying about the morality or fairness of your servers decision making process. You'll surely live longer
Post a Comment