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Just a little while back, we ran an article cataloging customer pet peeves about restaurants, and invited the discussion to carry on into our blog comments. Turns out that folks in the restaurant industry have just as many things to say 'bout the way their beloved customers behave. Read on and get served.
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
by Kat Kinsman and Sarah LeTrent
Just a little while back, we ran an article cataloging customer pet peeves about restaurants, and invited the discussion to carry on into our blog comments. Turns out that folks in the restaurant industry have just as many things to say 'bout the way their beloved customers behave. Read on and get served.
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
Make It a Good One, or Not
Quote: "Darn, I was going to make you a bad one!"
"One of the requests that I get is 'make it a good one.' Do you know how many times I have heard that?"
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
There IS a Difference Between Merchant and Customer Copy
Quote: "Ever heard of Hooked on Phonics? It obviously didn't work for people who take the receipt that CLEARLY says merchant copy.."
"Some people take both receipts expecting waiters to have ESP. If you take the receipt, how are we supposed to know how much tip you left?"
"If the customer takes both receipts, I give myself the tip I think I deserve – which is nothing less than 20%. They'll learn their lesson soon enough."
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
Snap Out of It
Quote: "I'm a waitress, not a freaking dog. I do not respond to snaps, whistles, clicks, or any other non-verbal way of getting my attention."
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
I'm Not Your Friend
Quote: "A name is just a gateway drug for prying patrons, who figure that once they're on a first-name basis with you, they're welcome to inquire after your education, age and marital status."
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
Don't Steal My Pen
Quote: "Stealing my pens – whether intentional or not -- is something I simply can't find a place in my heart to forgive. It's like stealing a teacher's chalk, you just don't do it."
"I'll admit, a pen is a very insignificant object to most but have you ever heard the phrase 'the straw that broke the camel's back?' Stealing a waiter's pen could very well be that last straw before you face a waiter's wrath. Servers have a lot of pent up anger so I would not push your luck!"
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
If You Don't Want Pennies, I Probably Won't Either
Quote: "Do not empty your change purse out as a tip. If you don't want a dollar worth of pennies, chances are, I don't really want them either."
"Last time I checked, this was not a bank and I'm not a bank teller. No, I won't get you $100 worth of tens and fives."
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
No Shows
Quote: "Reservations exist for a reason – so the front-of-house and back-of-house can anticipate the turnout and organize our service accordingly. It takes one simple phone call to say you're not coming and it makes the world of the difference."
"Even if you broke your arm and are lying in the hospital bed, that means you still have one good arm to call us and let us know you and your posse aren't coming."
"We turn away other tables because we're booked, and then the party of ten never shows up. How rude! 'Nuff said."
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
I Will Remember...Trust Me
Quote: "Don't ask me why I'm not writing your order down. I will remember; it's my job too. If I don't, THEN you can reprimand me."
Top 11 Complaints About Customers
On the Run
Quote: "I can't stand it when people send me back and forth a million times for little things. It's one thing when you forget to ask for something, but it's totally different when you're doing it just for attention. One guy that comes in will take two little sips of coffee and call me over for more every few minutes. He just wants attention. And he does this while I'm bringing food out!"
"When you see your server running around like a headless chicken, economize your requests. If all of you need refills and condiments, then let us know at the same time. It takes much longer to run back and forth five times than it does one."
If you're easily susceptible to complaint backlash fear, you might not want to read on.
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