You walk into a restaurant and the hostess seats you at a table. It’s a typical busy Saturday night and you have to wait a few  minutes to get your drinks. The server brings back your drinks and takes your order. Time begins to pass and before you know it your food has come out before your salad or your soup. So you scream at the server who brings out your food. “We haven’t got our soup! We haven’t got our salad! And we are leaving!” You storm out of the restaurant without talking to the manager, or even giving the server time to explain anything or give you  different options. The server takes your food back to the kitchen and tells the manager you left, because service wasn’t fast enough.

People, Please!

I recently came back home from Korea and I have been working two jobs. I am a substitute teacher during the day, and I wait tables at night. The story I told above happened to me my first night working alone. The sad part is I wasn’t even their server. That incident all happened so fast that I didn’t even have time to process what to say. They marched out before the manager even had time to come out and reconcile things.

People, Please!

If I would have had time to respond in an appropriate manner I would have said this. ” Sir, I am not your server, but I can get the manager to try to resolve this problem. I really don’t appreciate the way you just spoke to me, and I’m pretty sure if I were your daughter you wouldn’t want someone speaking  to her that way either.”

1.) When you go out to eat you have to be patient, especially if it’s on a Friday or Saturday night.

2.) Stop being selfish, and think about everyone else and what they may have going on in their lives as well.

3.) Don’t take it out on your server if your food is prepared the wrong way. The servers aren’t the ones who cook the food. And cooks are bound to make mistakes. No one is perfect.

4.) Stop acting as if your better than everyone. You put your pants on the same way as I do everyday.

5.) Tip! Servers make 2.35 an hour plus whatever tips they make. Imagine if you have worked 3:30 to 10:30 and went home with 40.00. I don’t think you would be very happy. that is 40.00 for 7 hours of work at 2.35 an hour. I have heard people talking on numerous occasions about tipping. The older generation tend to leave the minimum amount. Some people aren’t aware what servers make, and others just see it as I get your drinks and bring out your plate. I do get your drinks and bring out your plate of food. I also check on you numerous times to make sure you are alright, get your drink refills, greet you when you come, and when you go, and do all the prep and clean up before you come and after you leave.

6.) Get off your phone! There’s nothing like going to a table and asking if you can get them anything; to be completely ignored. Come on people! You go out to eat to enjoy each other or the experience. Put your phone away for an hour.

People, Please!

I see when you’re looking around impatiently. I see when you’re tapping your foot or your fork on your plate. I can tell that you are getting irritated when your food doesn’t come out fast enough. I see the death glares because you are “hangry.”

I can tell that you are higher class and what things the way you want them. I am an educated individual, and I don’t like being treated like a servant. I am there to make your experience a good one. I am there to get you what you need. Don’t take it for granted by running me to death.

I notice when I am introducing myself, and asking for your drink order that you snap back and say “We are ready to order!” Well how about taking the time to ask me how I am doing? How about saying “Okay, thanks Lillian.” Servers are people too. Remember that.

I work in the mornings  from 7:00 a.m. to 3:06 p.m. substitute teaching  at different schools around the county. After that I get in my car and drive to my second job waiting tables. I change in my car since I don’t have much time. The last thing I want to deal with are a bunch of demanding people who are impossible to please. I have already had a long day before I came to the table to greet you.

I am dealing with my own battles, and the last thing I need is for someone to scream in my face, because their food took too long. Please ask to speak to management if there’s a problem. More than likely you will get a big discount or get your meal paid for. There are always resolutions.

I have waited tables ever since I was in college and no matter where I go it’s always the same reactions, rude people, people in a rush, higher class so they expected special treatment, and the list goes on. Don’t get me wrong there are good experiences and good people; but you never forget the bad ones you go through.

People, Please!

Lets reverse the roles and see how you would handle waiting on 5 tables with approximately 10 -4 people at each table. All with separate orders, needs, and wants. I don’t think you would want to be treated in that manner.

So the next time you decide to go out and splurge. Try to ask you server how they are doing. Be patient on your food. Enjoy the time for yourselves, and please ask if you have a problem. Everyone has their own story and problems to deal with each day. You never know the battle they may be facing. BE NICE.