While I usually rely on tips from my customers, I figured that the last weekend of my waitressing career would be the perfect time to share my tips for those on the receiving end of my (or any server for that matter) customer service. These are all based on my experiences, though of course I haven’t used any names or identifiers. Enjoy, and always appreciate the hard work those in the food industry go through to make your dining out experience exceptional!
- Please don’t blatantly ignore me when I approach your table and ask a question. You came to a restaurant that offers full service; if you don’t want to talk to anyone or have someone interrupt your dinner conversation, cook at home or order take out.
- This may sound a bit rude, but if you can’t afford the menu, please don’t come. I completely understand wanting a nice night out, but when I want a nice night out, I find someplace within my means. Using an expensive menu to justify tipping me poorly is simply unacceptable.
- Don’t sit in my section for several hours during rush if you’re not ordering something. As much as I want to make your experience incredible, refilling your water for an hour after I bring you your bill while there are customers up front waiting for a table isn’t only rude to me, it’s rude to them as well.
- While I’m thinking about it, sitting in my section for an hour sipping on water is never acceptable, unless you actually tip on that hour of time.
- In many restaurants, paying your bill doesn’t mean your server is allowed to leave. We have to stay and clear the table before we’re allowed to go home for the night. Which means when you’re sitting in my section until 1 a.m., I’m staying there too. Be considerate, most of us have been on the floor for hours at that point and are utterly exhausted.
- Unless I completely ignore you (which I never have) 10% is NOT an acceptable tip. I make $2.13 an hour, all of which goes to taxes. Servers, myself included, literally survive off of tips. So when you’re feeling a bit greedy, we suffer.
- On that note, always tip well on a first date. Not only do I think you’re lame when you don’t, it’s very likely that the girl (or guy) you’re trying to charm does as well.
- My name is Jordan. I told you that the first time I walked up to your table. Unless you’re over the age of 75, please don’t expect me to answer to honey, baby, sugar. It won’t happen.
- Drinking is never an excuse to act like an idiot. Enough said.
Have any of you ever been servers? Feel free to add any of your own ‘tips’ below!
"I secretly judge you when you add a ‘splash of diet’ to a perfectly good Woodford on the rocks. Don’t even get me started on the guy who ordered peach schnapps on the rocks…"
This one I just don't agree with. What *BUSINESS* is it of yours if someone likes a splash of diet with something? I mean that's that particular person's taste and they are paying for the drink, drinking the drink, and paying for the service, so WHY should you have *******ANY RIGHT******** to judge them? I mean I don't get it? Why you think your taste are somehow ABOVE that person's taste, huh? You think you are the queen or king or something?
"On that note, always tip well on a first date. Not only do I think you’re lame when you don’t, it’s very likely that the girl (or guy) you’re trying to charm does as well. "
I totally disagree if the service is bad. Why should ANYONE get a good tip if the server sucked? If I went on a date if I were single again(I am married) and my date were to give 20% no matter what or even more if my order came out obviously wrong(like totally wrong), I sure wouldn't want to date someone that wasn't tipping ****FAIRLY**. The tip should SOLELY be based on *******SERVICE ALONE*********, NOT because it's someone's first date. If let's say I'd be on a 1st date with someone if I were single and let's say the server forgot my side dish and didn't even say she or he was sorry. I'd be furious at the date for not taking into account first off that there was no apology which I HUGELY go by when tipping and secondly, that it would at least seem that the server didn't check over the food BEFORE leaving the kitchen. I mean I feel if it's a real mistake, an apology should follow.
I do understand what you are saying in general that if the service was good to tip that, but if the service is bad I STRONGLY disagree and would not want to date someone that didn't want to tip in a fair manner. I would be pissed off a server gets 20% for doing a poor job.
The rest of the things I completely agree with you on. I just don't get why you would judge someone on their taste? I mean that's just wrong. I eat ranch on a lot of things and I bet I get judged, but it's just wrong to act like you are above me because you don't eat ranch on as many things as I do for example. We are all *EQUALS* in this world. If you want to get treated as you are claiming, why not do us the same. Maybe then you may get more considerate customers.
As weird as this sounds, I have tried some margaritas with Jose Cuervo Gold or Sauza Gold tequilas, which I actually like the taste of those better than the more expensive Patron' for example. Is that my fault that I think the less expensive one taste better to me? No, that's just my taste. Why is that so horrible or such an issue with you? Why you feel like your taste are better than ours? Why act like such a snob like you are BETTER than someone else? I mean you want to get treated with consideration and fairness, do the same for us.
Hi Springs1,
I want to thank you for your comment, and to hopefully clarify a few things a bit.
First off, the comment about bourbon was meant to be a joke, something I'm realizing was entirely lost in an otherwise serious post. Most of my readers know that I live in Kentucky, where we take our bourbon very seriously. I realize now that one joke amongst a serious post simply doesn't translate, so I've removed it.
I have never thought I'm above anyone, and fully believe that people should be able to order and do whatever they want. It was simply a silly comment about bourbon. That is truly all. If you've read any of my other posts you'll realize that I am a full supporter of equality in all areas of life.
Regarding tipping on the first date, of course I wouldn't want someone to tip 20% if the service is poor. I felt that it was enough for the reader to realize that based on the bullet before it, I am fully in support of tipping less if the service wasn't there. Perhaps I should have added another 'but' in there, however, I didn't want to keep upping the word count with a bunch of clarifiers.
Again, thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. I hope that this clears things up!
I am somewhat soured after reading this post. Understand that I waitressed my whole life bk (before kids). Now I am a customer when I have the opportunity to get out of my house. When I do get out – I appreciate every minute even when I am sitting there for over an hour meeting with a friend who I haven't seen for over 6 months or more. Understand that customers may have challenges in their lives – perhaps they are getting out for the first time in over 6 months b/c their child has been ill. Perhaps they parent a child who has autism and it took 6 months of finding that right time to leave the house… so when this customer gets out – it should be with whatever they want to eat or drink even if it is over an hour because who knows when they will get out again? Sometimes life isn't as what the server sees on the outside – a table that hasn't turned over a new customer in over an hour – perhaps this is the customer's chance of getting out to savor every moment to last for another six months… Sometimes money isn't what it is all about even from the servers point of view. If I call someone honey it is because I might have had only 1 hour sleep for the past week and can't even remember my own name (perhaps the circles around my eyes would clearly prove that little fact). I am glad that I am not in Kentucky as I would not want to eat at this restaurant b/c I would feel the sourness from the words… Just sayin'… Sometimes life isn't as it seems on the outside. fyi…
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you for your response and I'm sorry that my words have left you soured. I do completely see all of your points, and am well aware that life isn't always what it seems on the outside. All I'm trying to say is customers also need to realize that servers rely on their tables for their income, and no matter how nice you are or how tough your life has been, it's simply not fair to sit at a table for three hours. There are LOTS of places to catch up with friends – and believe me, I've been known to sit with friends in a coffee shop or at the park for hours catching up. But I would never sit at a table at a restaurant during rush for hours because it's not only unfair to the server, but to the other guests waiting to eat.
Now if it's a slow night and there aren't guests waiting, I welcome my tables to stay as long as they want – it's all in the timing and in consideration for others.
Again, thank you for your response – I love hearing all points of view!