Annoying Restaurant Trends

2-01-2008 @4:47PM Pesky said... I totally agree about kids. I sat in a very expensive restaurant last night while a father was raving about how his kid was a "water caligraphy artist" that's right, his son was writing in water on the table.

Then the parents wanted to chat and that apparently was a cue for the kids to start running around the restaurant.

It is not my responsbility to watch your child, if a server is walking around with hot soup or hot tea or hot whatever, your child running around could cause them to spill their food on both the server, the other guests and oh yeah...your child. I'm sure the budding caligraphy artist would love third degree burns because his father and mother couldn't say "SIT DOWN AND STOP MAKING A MESS!!!"
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2-01-2008 @3:41PM Desiree said... My pet peeve is servers coming over and saying, "Hi guys. Can I get you guys something to drink? Are you guys ready to order? How is everything here, guys?" Last time I checked, I was definitely not a guy!

Second is a suggestion: Please bring the children's meals out early if possible. Not only are they not good at waiting, kids tend to take longer to eat. It makes the entire experience more pleasant for everyone involved. If you want to turn that table, make two trips with the food -- first the kids and then the adults
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2-01-2008 @4:00PM ExWaiter said... "We did not cook your food. We only brought it to you." - this was a quote from one of the gripes by a server. Well, they're right. But it's more than just bringing me my food: smile, be polite, be curtious, refill drinks, clear empty plates from the table. I will tip generously when these things are done and reduce tip when they are not. People can tell when a server sees them as a customer as opposed to a prospective tip. When I waited tables I heard countless co-workers gripe about poor tips never realizing that if there's a pattern it's probably because they deliver poor service. And no matter how much servers complain about how they need your tips to survive because the 'system is flawed,' in all my years of waiting tables I never saw a server quit to go get a steady paychek at a fast-food joint or a call center. Why? Because servers would never work for so little money.
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2-01-2008 @3:41PM stacie said... I worked as a server for a few years and I wonder why all of these people are complaining about a server asking a question such as "Are you done with that?" or "Would you like change?" How hard is it to answer the question? Every customer has different preferences, so it makes it easier on the server to ask and know what the customer wants rather than doing something without asking and having to redo it per the customer's request.
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2-01-2008 @3:41PM jak said... As little as I get out to eat at restaurants, I don't mind the attention and yes, I tip very well for very good service. I have tipped $50 on an $80 dollar meal. Why? Not because I am rich, but I am there for not just good food and service, but for a social experience. And I like it when my entire tip goes to the service. The cooking staff makes far more money, but I have on occasion tipped both servers and cooking personnel.
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2-01-2008 @5:10PM karyn said... Heres a little tip for all you tippers. If you are eating out with 1 or more people and they put cash in for their part of the bill and tip, then you put the rest on your card, YOU ARE TIPPING FOR THE WHOLE BILL ON YOUR CARD!!!!! Since so many people have a hard time grasping this heres an example. Bill = $100, friend gives $60, you put $40 on your card. If you tip $8-10 thinking you left a decent tip, WRONG. You just gave the server $8-10 on $100, not $40. Please understand this people its really not that hard.
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2-01-2008 @3:43PM Ann Deer said... I eat out often. I have also been a server (while in college). I remember how much work it is and most of what the servers complain about are valid gripes. However, I disagree with the whole asking if the customer needs change thing. Yes, the servers have to wait for change and deal with cash, but if I am eating out and I don't need change, I WILL TELL YOU THAT. It is VERY uncomfortable if a server ASKS this question. I usually tip 20 percent of the check and even more if I really like the server, but I feel "put on the spot" if a server asks about keeping the change. It DOES seem like they are trying to ensure a good tip. However, I totally get what they go through and especially that part about them waiting on you and then you don't leave a tip. They ARE taxed on the amount of food you eat, so it COSTS them to serve you, plus they have lost revenue from whomever may have sat at their table and tipped them well while you FREE LOADED off them. Treat people like you would WANT to be treated.
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2-01-2008 @3:53PM jessica said... I have been in the food service industury for close to 10 years. If you have a server that is rude, unattentive,etc., by all means complain. Please do not complain if your food took too long, was overcooked, or anything else that would pertain to the preperation of your food. We (servers) have NO control over how your food is prepared after we have ordered it for you. Nothing sours my mood faster then when i walk up to a table and say "hi! how are you?" and get the reply "ice tea". Would you act that way towards a person that you had just met in another atmosphere? When our kindness is reciprocated you get better service. No matter how you tip. The old saying 'you get more flys with honey that you do with vinegar'. Also, please please please do NOT come into a resturant right before close and sit 30 minutes to an hour afterwards. You are prolonging an otherwise 8-12 hour shift for not just your server but for the bussers, cooks, managers. Some of us have children to pick up, errands to run, studying to do. Its very disrespectful and rude. One more thing, tipping is NOT required but very appreciated. If you dont care to be waited on, go to burger king or wendys. Servers remember the non-tippers and not only take away from your service, they tell their coworkers so they can too. If you have enough money to order your entree, drink, dessert, surely you can cough up 15% of the total of your check, because its taken out of OUR checks. Thats right, we are taxed on EVERYTHING you order. Our job does not begin and end with our tables. There is a TON of behind the scenes work that we do. Thank you
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2-01-2008 @4:07PM josephdossj1@aol.com said... My daughter waited table for a long time, so I have a soft spot for wait staff in general, and I respect them, But I have two little grips. The first one is," What are WE Having " I didn't realize that we had invited this person to eat with us. The second one is,"YOU GUYS" Usually I have a lady with me, and that doesn't set well. I'm not talking about the corner resturant either. If you give respect, you'll get respect. That's how I look at it.

JD
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2-01-2008 @4:28PM cowboy said... when i ask for a certain item to be brought to my table like knife fork spoon that wasn't there when i was seated and when my meal arrives the server still hasn't brought it. I don't need a unreadable menu and dim lights and nothing to eat with but my hands.But all in all fairness to the servers that do a good job i applaud you. I see a whole lot of JERK people you have to put up with especially the ones with their calulators so they don't leave a gratuity that would fit there personality CHEAP. GOOD SERVICE GOOD TIP. you earned it.
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2-01-2008 @3:45PM Susan Hurl said... Wait staff that insist on calling me "honey" or "sweetie".....and clear my husband's plate before I'm done. I'm a slow eater and it makes me look like a pig.
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2-01-2008 @3:47PM REZA SANTORINI said... You are in the service business, I am at the restaurant to be served. If I wanted a hassle I'd stay home and talk my kids into serving me, once or twice. Alas, in the restaurant, I'd like a better level of service. At home we use place mats and napkins, two forks and a glass at every place. We even use salad plates.

At a dive, of course we don't expect upscale service. We do expect we get our meal in a timely manner, and get the one we ordered. We expect clean dishes, or serveware. When ordering a endless glass of liquid like coffee or the like, we don't want to beg. We don't want you scratching your head with the pencil, as you serve and talk to us. English is our preferred language, except in an ethnic restaurant, which we adore, so it is not racism. It is America. We pay a premium for the food, your boss makes money and he has to pay his cooks and dishwashers and table cleaners. So, we have a right to control the kind of tip you get...if you work for a place that serves me ill prepared food, I am not going to call to speak to the cook...your tip will reflect it, especially if you are too busy to correct my order and don't get me the fork without numerous requests. Same with my ketchup, etc.

I am a working person and I have to work to a standard or I get ripped by my boss, or customer and have to accept that. Sometimes I have to realize they are right.

Why don't you consider you are working at a bad place (not my fault, I will pay the price for ordering something) or I am doing a bad job. True I don't get tips for my good work, I get paid for doing my job well, or I will not have a job. How's that?
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2-01-2008 @3:47PM Vanessa said... If I had a bad waiter am i still required to give them a good tip? I feel bad when I don't but If you didn't give good service I don't see why I should tip as if you did!
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2-01-2008 @3:51PM Cassandra said... I am in college. So I am a server for a living. Well when your check is 50 dollars and you give me 2 dollars and leave before I get back with your change and there's nothing on the table. Well I just paid to serve you, that makes me feel awesome. And when you treat me like I'm your two year old who can't get anything right from the moment you sit down, I just want you to know that when i graduate next year with two degrees, guess who's coming for your job. We all know that paying a new comer to a job is much easier than paying you with your over-stuffed income and huge ego. So basically what I'm saying is stop pissing off your servers just because it gives you a thrill because everywhere else you go, you're treated like crap. Maybe if you tried to be nice to strangers you might actually get a self-esteem boost...
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2-01-2008 @3:48PM Marnie said... Ok, for all of you snotty cry baby waitstaff - if you have so much to bitch about your job, then get a new job! You are in the SERVICE industry, You are there to serve others! If I want to sit at a table for another hour, and the restaurant is not busy, I will do that! I think most people do not sit around and take up tables if they know that the restaurant is busy!
And as far as the comment about tips, and you are taxed on the food you serve, you are ignorant, You are being taxed on a percent that your should earn based on the price. You sold $100.00 - therefore, you should make X amount. Just think of it as a comission, and, if you do a crappy job, why should I pay you? Employers can dock people pay or send them home early for a crappy job. While you are serving me, I am essentially your employer!

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2-01-2008 @4:03PM adam said... As a server it annoys me when a large party (7+ people) come into my restaurant and do any of the following: talk for 30 minutes before ordering anything more than water, wait until the end of their meal to inform me that they want their bill divided onto 7 different checks, think i can carry more than 4 empty plates at one time, or question why bar specials aren't available in the dining room.
Remember when you bring in a party of more than 4 in most cases you will be taking up more than just one of your servers tables. tip accordingly!
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2-01-2008 @4:59PM REZA SANTORINI said... You are in the service business, I am at the restaurant to be served. If I wanted a hassle I'd stay home and talk my kids into serving me, once or twice. Alas, in the restaurant, I'd like a better level of service. At home we use place mats and napkins, two forks and a glass at every place. We even use salad plates.

At a dive, of course we don't expect upscale service. We do expect we get our meal in a timely manner, and get the one we ordered. We expect clean dishes, or serveware. When ordering a endless glass of liquid like coffee or the like, we don't want to beg. We don't want you scratching your head with the pencil, as you serve and talk to us. English is our preferred language, except in an ethnic restaurant, which we adore, so it is not racism. It is America. We pay a premium for the food, your boss makes money and he has to pay his cooks and dishwashers and table cleaners. So, we have a right to control the kind of tip you get...if you work for a place that serves me ill prepared food, I am not going to call to speak to the cook...your tip will reflect it, especially if you are too busy to correct my order and don't get me the fork without numerous requests. Same with my ketchup, etc.

I am a working person and I have to work to a standard or I get ripped by my boss, or customer and have to accept that. Sometimes I have to realize they are right.

Why don't you consider you are working at a bad place (not my fault, I will pay the price for ordering something) or I am doing a bad job. True I don't get tips for my good work, I get paid for doing my job well, or I will not have a job. How's that?
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2-01-2008 @3:51PM Jenny said... It is shameful that so many states pay servers below minimum wage and expect them to live on tips, when tipping (or lack thereof) is entirely out of the server's control. I live in WA state, where servers are paid the minimum wage; approx. $7.50. This is hardly the big bucks, people...you still need to tip.

Tipping is 15-20% for breakfast and lunch, and 25% for dinner... even more, if you receive great service, or if the tab is so low that tipping by percentage becomes too chintzy. How many times should the server cheerfully refill your coffee cup before you spring for that extra 5%? Don't be cheap!

I agree with the comment that you should not eat out if you cannot afford to tip. And, by the way, I rarely eat out (because I can't afford to) and my bias on this topic is pretty slim, as I've never served food to strangers.
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2-01-2008 @3:48PM Cole said... The people who responded to this blog in a negative manner (ex. I hate when a server will ask me if I need change!) you are all ignorant and trashy. Don't waste our time by dining with us. We are people too. Treat us bad and I'll meet you in the parking lot jerkoff. I don't need my job that badly. You are all trashy and yes we talk about you in the back. Do yourselves a favor and watch the movie Waiting. You might treat us with more respect assholes. Hope you choke on your food :)
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