For the past 4 1/2 years, I have worked at a major chain restaurant. I've been serving for about 3 years, and I hosted for a year and a half. I recently read an article written by a fellow server that has inspired me to write one of my own here. This is an open letter to all retaurant patrons.
Dear Guest,
Welcome to _______ Restauant. My name is ______. Here are some things you must know before dining at this or any food establishment.
1. Tipping is not a city in China. It is how servers make our living. We in Texas are paid $2.13/hour to wait on tables. In other states the figure is almost, if not exactly, the same. Now here's a bit of math for you. We have to be taxed on not only our hourly wages, but our tips as well. As such, our paychecks are made out for NOTHING. ZERO. VOID. We do not make money by the hour. We make it by table. Also, we have to tip as well. We tip bussers, bartenders, and in some restaurants, hosts. Usually around 10-15% of our nightly earnings are given to these people. We make $50 in tips one night? We walk out with $35. Make sense? Ok, so knowing all this, when you stiff us and do not tip at all, or even a buck or two, we are actually paying to serve you. Because not only are we taxed on that "tip", but we are expected to give out money to other employees as well. And trust me, if we want our drinks made, tables clean, and seats sat, we cannot use "Oh, I didn't make a lot of money tonight" as an excuse to not tip out. Also, we remember tables we have had before. And if a fellow server recognizes them, they will tell us what to expect as well. If you are a notoriously shitty tipper, do NOT expect us to jump through hoops for you. Anyone that I know I am not making money off of is immediately a table that I can ignore for most of the time you are there. Drinks, food, check. And don't expect me to be nice.
2. Just because I am waiting on your table does NOT make me an idiot. I am working my way through college/paying rent/supporting a family. Many servers only moonlight. Many are teachers or office workers who need extra money. You have no right to talk to me like I am a mentally challenged 5-year-old. Do I come in to your place of business and disrespect you? No. I expect to be treated the way you would want to be treated.
3. Also, server does NOT equal servant. I am not here to cater to your every need. I have several other tables that require my attention as well. I have literally spoon-fed a guest before. This is unacceptable. I am not your mother. I am not your butler. I am not your maid. Do not hand me a dirty diaper/napkin/straw/whatever and expect me to clean up after you. I will take dirty plates off your table. You make a mess? Not my problem.
4. Which brings me to my next point. Kids. Many people have them. If you are a parent, do NOT, under ANY circumstance, let your child join you to a restaurant if he/she does not have any manners. It's bad enough to be talked down to by adults and people my own age. When a 7-year-old does it, I want to kill myself. Or the child. Or you. When I have a tray in my hands, do NOT let them grab something off of it. This causes a major unbalance. I will more than likely spill something, probably on the kid. Do NOT let your child color on the walls. Can I come to your house and color all over your shit? If your child is screaming and/or crying, do not ignore them. There are other people trying to enjoy a meal. When your kid disrupts my other tables, it puts them in a bad mood, and I don't get any money from any of them. All because you couldn't control your kid.
5. You are not my only table. I have better things to do than watch you make your decision. If you are not ready to order, I will come back. I promise. I have about 10-25 other guests who need me to take orders, bring refills, box food, drop checks, swipe credit cards, etc. On top of that, I am expected to run food and help keep the restaurant clean. Not just my own food/section. I have to help others as well. As soon as food hits the window, it needs to be taken out immediately. So don't be upset if I excuse myself for a few minutes while you decide what to eat. I'm not doing nothing. I'm working. Also, when I am talking to another table, do NOT snap at me or interrupt me. I can't tell you how irritating it is to be taking an order and have someone at the next table go "EXCUSE ME? MISS? (snaps fingers/claps) I NEED SOME MORE TEA!" I will get to you next.
6. Speaking of interrupting me, don't do it while I am talking to you either. When I walk up to the table and introduce myself and ask how you are doing, I genuinely want to know. I'll tell you why. Sometimes I have tables who are celebrating something. I can do something special. Or, I've had tables who are having the worst day and it really makes me more determined to brighten it for them. I once had a lady who had just visited her husband in the hospital where he was close to death. Just having her tell me this made me realize she needed someone to talk to and take extra good care of her, which I did. So the answer to "Hi, how are y'all doing today?" is not "Tea." If you don't want to talk, just say "Fine, thanks." and get on with the meal. I can read people. I know who doesn't want to be bothered. You do not have to be rude. Do not punish us for bad service you have had in the past.
7. If something is wrong, tell me. Politely. Remember, if it is the food, I did not cook it. Don't yell at me if your steak is too well done. I will do everything I can to fix it, as long as you ask me nicely. If there is something wrong with the service, please tell a manager. But do not overreact. I could be the best server in the world and be having the worst day. Remember, I am human.
8. Do not send me running back and forth for things. If you need something, make sure the rest of the table is ok before making me make unnessecary trips around the place.
9. If you plan on staying for a while after you eat, remember that you are taking up one of our tables that is our source of income. We call you people "campers". When you spend an extra couple hours in our section, we are losing money. So tip accordingly.
Thank you,
Every server you have ever and will ever have
So please remember these things when you go out to eat. If you cannot comply, go to McDonald's. Seriously.
Oh, and watch the movie Waiting. It is all true. Keep that in mind.
XO
