Waiters/Waitresses What Are Some of Your Pet Peeves at Work?

Here's one of mine:  When I pour a glass of zinfandel and they say, "um, that's red wine!  I ordered the zinfandel."

Or:  When I say, "I'll be right back with some water."  And they say, "I could use a little more water!"

Or:  They flag me down, flailing their arms all over the place, "I'm ready to order!"  And when I get to the table they ask, "so, what's good on the menu?"

1) when they use you to control there kids... ''sit DOWN now or the lady will be cross, shes coming!''. they shouldnt use me as a detterent!? im 17 lol.

2) when couples come in and sit on tables set for 6 people... WHY!?

3) asking for an extra spoon. its a dessert for one person... and it means me going alllllll the way back to the kitchen.

4) complaining about a dish such as gammon then coming back the next week and ordering gammon, then complaining again. why do they come back? why order the same thing?

5) clicking fingers to get your attention. IM NOT A DOG.

rant over.

x

Ooh ooh!  Not a server, but I used to work at a restaurant behind the counter.

1) allowing your kids to act like lunatics.  (I'm not talking about a little crying here.  I'm talking about letting them throw food, run around the restaurant, and not once trying to stop the little ankle biters.)

2) Talking on your cell phone when I'm trying to take your order.  HELLO IDIOT!!!  If your not ready, then stand aside and let the next person in line go.  Don't stand there, holding up the line, while you tell your girlfriend about the cute guy you met last night.  R-U-D-E!

Another one:  Opening up the door to come inside, and then they notice the special board and have to stand in the doorway, letting in all the freezing cold air, while also reading the specials...  Come on!  You're either in or you're out, pick one!

When I did work as a waitress, I detested the **** who would pile everything on to one plate.  All of their trash, uneaten food, and silverware, all on one plate.  How the hell am I supposed to carry that without dropping stuff all over the place?  Just leave it on your plates, I'll clear it when I get to the kitchen.  I'd rather take two trips to clear your table than one very slow, very awkward trip.

Original Post by cellulitedelight:

When I did work as a waitress, I detested the **** who would pile everything on to one plate.  All of their trash, uneaten food, and silverware, all on one plate.  How the hell am I supposed to carry that without dropping stuff all over the place?  Just leave it on your plates, I'll clear it when I get to the kitchen.  I'd rather take two trips to clear your table than one very slow, very awkward trip.

 Oh crap! Sorry, I'm guilty of that one. I thought I was doin' ya' a favor. I learned from the staff that do that in front of me when they clear the table while we're there. Really, really, I meant well.

^haha, ditto.

Hehe, CD.  I do that too.  I really did think I was heping out too. 

When I waited tables, sometimes I felt like the customers took out the fact that they were having a bad day on me.

The verbal tip:  "oh, you're so wonderful.  Everything was perfect.  We had such a great experience/meal..."  And then they leave $14 on $100.  Gee thanks, but nice words don't pay the bills.

Blegh.  Thankfully I only worked as a waitress for a short time so I don't have as many horror stories as some people (OH HEY THERE FAMILY THAT'S LETTING THEIR KIDS HAVE AN ALL OUT FOOD FIGHT ON MY CARPETTED FLOORS AND NOT INTENDING TO CLEAN IT UP!).  But man, I could tell you guys some stories about my job, which is a form of customer service.

1.  Don't tell me you've been poked ten times in the last two hours.  I've been here now for five hours, you're on my floors, seriously, this is the first damned time I've drawn your blood you lying bastards.

2.  Don't tell me you have small veins and only tiny needles will suffice.  I know how to do my job, I know what size needle will work for your veins.  It's not the needle size you feel, it's the skill of the person drawing you.

3.  Don't tell me I'll only get your blood in this particular place, unless you're a former IV drug user, 'cause then I'll really believe you.  Otherwise, let me find what I feel is best.  If others have been poking the hell out of that one place you say is the only place you can get blood from, I sure as hell ain't going to get a drop from that heavily scarred vein.

4.  Being in a hospital means sacraficing some dignity.  Hot nurses will wipe your ass, cold-handed nurses will fiddle with your catheter.  You're used to being naked and exposed, but this does not mean I need to see your stuff just hanging out.  Just give me an arm, leave the rest under the blanket.  Oh, yeah, and it'd be nice if you told me you were on the bedpan BEFORE I stuck my needle in you.

5.  Being in a hospital means you can't shower or brush your teeth regularly.  Believe me.  I know.  And not just from you telling me.  If you feel the need to spread your legs or breath heavily in my direction, wait until I'm gone.  It does you no good if I pass out from your raunchy selves with my needle in your arm.

MAN.  Ugh.

I've been waitressing since I was 16.

Verbal tips. Whoever above said "does not pay the bills" was right. Verbal tips are NOT tips!

When people forget what they ordered. We auction off food at tables because we don't have food runners and you'll get a table of like 4 of a bunch of elderly folks and none of them have any idea what they ordered. Its like, cmon. You JUST ordered it!

people who drink too much and throw up on my bar...

Original Post by cellulitedelight:

When I did work as a waitress, I detested the **** who would pile everything on to one plate.  All of their trash, uneaten food, and silverware, all on one plate.  How the hell am I supposed to carry that without dropping stuff all over the place?  Just leave it on your plates, I'll clear it when I get to the kitchen.  I'd rather take two trips to clear your table than one very slow, very awkward trip.

How funny - I actually loved it when people would do that! It's just that I was working in a crazy busy bar/restaurant, so unfortunately we'd have to sacrifice grace for speed sometimes... Granted, I'm not sure how much you're actually talking about being stacked on one plate but if it's a few plates, some napkins and some silverware I don't mind. On the other hand, at some nicer restaurants I've worked at, I would agree - I'm okay with making two graceful trips rather than one slow and awkward heave.

Original Post by floydh77:

people who drink too much and throw up on my bar...

Or on the stairs, and the balcony, and then break some glasses on top of the vomit... Ew...

To go orders! I realize that when you order to go, you don't need to tip 15% because you're not getting the full dine in experience. But when an office of 20 people call in a lunch order, someone has to put it together, you know? It wouldn't kill them to throw in a few extra dollars.

Original Post by cellulitedelight:

2.  Don't tell me you have small veins and only tiny needles will suffice.  I know how to do my job, I know what size needle will work for your veins.  It's not the needle size you feel, it's the skill of the person drawing you.

3.  Don't tell me I'll only get your blood in this particular place, unless you're a former IV drug user, 'cause then I'll really believe you.  Otherwise, let me find what I feel is best.  If others have been poking the hell out of that one place you say is the only place you can get blood from, I sure as hell ain't going to get a drop from that heavily scarred vein.


MAN.  Ugh.

2. my veins aren't small, but they're soft and they roll - you'd want to know this, wouldn't you?

3. i had blood drawn twice a day every Wednesday for the last six months of my pregnancy and they could only get the vein in my right hand - i thought this would be helpful information for a phlebotomist to know

i'm not trying to be difficult and i don't even complain when you don't believe me and insist on a few fruitless sticks in my arms just because you think you're so good and then end up with the butterfly needle in my hand anyway... yeah, i usually get three or four sticks for one good draw and i never complain -- my strategy is to just never look at the needle, i try to look at a clock or some gadget or the centrifuge - anything to not think about the needle...

maybe sometimes medical personnel could actually listen to a patient?

i usually tip 10% on a to go order from a nice restaurant

i wasn't sure what was customary... and it's never for 20 people, i'm just talking about dinner for one or two

Ditto #16. 

I have ended up with huge bruises because of people who would not listen to me when I tried to tell them what has worked best with my veins. 

I also find that the most skilled lab techs are the ones who also listen to what I have to say about my own body.

Original Post by kankan213:

I've been waitressing since I was 16.

Verbal tips. Whoever above said "does not pay the bills" was right. Verbal tips are NOT tips!

When people forget what they ordered. We auction off food at tables because we don't have food runners and you'll get a table of like 4 of a bunch of elderly folks and none of them have any idea what they ordered. Its like, cmon. You JUST ordered it!

 

 I absolutely hate restaurants where the servers don't know who ordered what.

trhawley- I agree with you about servers not knowing who ordered what. I am server and have been for a few years now and haven't worked at a restaurant yet with that problem. We number the seats and take the orders that way so that we know where it goes.

And I wanted to share this with everyone...so funny!

1. IF you can afford to go out to eat, but you can't afford to tip... hey.. guess what.. you can't afford to go out to eat.

2. This is 2008 people. 10% is not acceptable anymore... standard tipping for GOOD service is between 18 and 20%...

3. Now. I understand that 10% is good enough for God... That's fine.. but this isn't church.. and you're not tithing.

4. PS- ordering a well done steak... which everyone in the south does... will constitute a longer ticket time.... you will be okay... if you wanted fast food, you should have gone through a **** drive-thru... (Squirrelly note: If you order a filet well done, I will hand you a slim jim and eat the 30 dollar steak myself. Thanks)

5. It's really not necessary to snap at me or wave your hand in the air like your having a spasm or get up and follow me. I saw you, I acknowledged you, you saw me... hold the **** on. and sit the **** down. I am coming.

6. When I take the time to be courteous and introduce myself... please don't be a rude bastard and cut me off. Sometimes the place I work at requires me to tell you about the specials and offer you an appetizer...When I ask you how you are doing please don't reply with what you want to drink... manners, asswipe.

7. I follow a strict rule that you should never reward bad service with a good tip... however, you should also never punish excellent service with a **** tip because you're a cheap ****.

8. Please don't take it out on me because you have had a bad day.. I'm here to make it better. relax.

9. When I deliver your food and ask if there is anything else.. you can tell me... I asked didn't I... don't get all bent out of shape because I'm not psychic and cannot read your mind.. how the hell am I supposed to know you needed A1. Also, please tell me the moment I ask everything you need. If you have to think about it that's okay..I'll wait. I'd rather spend a few more moments at your table then running back and forth to the kitchen because you forgot you needed extra something or other.

10. I know sometimes you can't help it.. But do you really have to ask for something every single time I walk past the table... I mean really. Jessica Simpson is not even that high-maintenance.

11. Hi. look around you. You are one of probably twenty people I am waiting on.. Did you happen to notice that.. So if you have to wait for a minute.. Be patient.. I promise I will take care of you..

12. Treating a server like a piece of **** and the scum of the earth because we are serving you is the quickest way to get the worst service you ever thought possible.. We are people too and you are no better than me... I don't give a **** what you do.

13. Just think about it like this. Your tip left on the table is how I pay my bills. I am making 2.13 an hour.. So no. I don't get a paycheck. After taxes and claiming tips I'm lucky if I even see one. Remember that next time you decide to be cheap. Please also remember when using a curbside take away service, that the people that bring out your food don't always make 7 or 8 dollars an hour. Most of the time they work for tips too.

14. Last but certainly not least... Don't assume that my job is easier then yours and I am some dumb **** who can't get a better job. The restaurant business is a fast paced environment with a high stress level. And you don't even see all the things we do behind the scene. So have some respect. I don't come to your office and treat you like **** for sitting on your ass all day do I?? No. I don't.

15. Most people do not know that we pay taxes based upon what we claim to make. News flash, we have to claim at least about 10% of our sales. Often times we often must tip out other workers in the restaurant i.e. busers, bartenders, and hosts. What this means is if your are one of the scum of the earth that don't tip I just paid taxes on your meal that I worked to serve you. Thus meaning that I just paid to serve you. Better yet, if you walk out on your tab, chances are I just paid for you meal! Karma people...Karma