I am going to start off by saying that even though you'd never believe it after reading this- I love my job. It's why I've done it for so long, it's why Im good at it, it's why I make fairly good money an have been able to support myself for 5 years, and it's why I don't dread going to work every day. I really don't! I consider myself lucky to have a job that I (mostly) enjoy doing. I know everyone hears waiters and waitresses complaining. I do it too. They complain about their tips, how bad their feet hurt, yady-yada. Some people just need to get a different job. This is the gig you signed up for, you know what is expected of you.
But every once and a while-there is a day, or a table, or even a statement that just reminds me why This job (seems to be) one of the most underrated and under-appreciated occupations out there. Here's a couple of reasons as of why.
1.) We deal with people all day every day who are hungry, tired, have had a LONG day, or can't afford to go out but its a special occasion.
Now I don't know how you guys are when you are hungry- but I for one can get extremely impatient, irritable, and downright fussy. So I understand. You pair this with tired/frustrated from work- and it multiplies by about 5. But here's what I want to say to the tables who make it a point to say
"umm miss?! Where's the bread? what do you mean its in the oven?! and We ordered an appetizer almost 10 minutes ago!"-
You aren't the only one in here. Everyone around you is hungry, tired, just home from work too- that's why they are here. Why is the bread in the oven? because like you no one eats 1 loaf, they eat 4 or 5, and when 30 tables eat 4 or 5 loaves (literally) we can only get it out so fast. Why is your appetizer taking a minute? Because everyone else has one of those too. We have an open kitchen- watch how fast our cooks work. Pretty effing fast. Chill.
2.) Why is our food so behind? We are starving! and Where's the bread?!
" I told you 3 minutes ago it had 5 minutes in the oven. 5-3=2. It has 2 minutes left in the oven."
3.) Beat your kids.
As aforementioned in previous blog- keep your kids in their seats. Dont let them run around and scream and sit there like you have no control over them. Dont look at me like I'm a monster when I turn the corner at full speed ( because I have 6 tables, all wanting their appetizers and of course bread) and almost drop a 5 pound 300 degree skillet on top your 3 year old's precious little head because he is running around by himself.. Kids aren't spoiled brats on accident- they have to catch on that they are allowed to be.
4.) "Can we", "May I", "Please" and "Thank You" works wonders
"We need" We're out" "Get us" and simply snapping and pointing at something will get you nowhere. Manners, people. Even if you are a good tipper (WHICH WE COMPLETELY APPRECIATE :) ) We are people too- and we are paid our 2 dollars an hour to be polite, bring you food, do what you say, get you 5 loaves of bread, extra ranch, etc. and smile. That's a pretty tall order for 2 bucks an hour- that we never see. The least you can do is be polite- especially if we are running around like a chicken with our head cut off.
5.) Watch your server.
If they are neglecting you and talking in the corner and not doing their job- dont tip them. Plain and simple. I wouldn't blame you one bit.
But if they are stopping and talking to 5 other tables, please for goodness sakes realize that they can't be everywhere at once. It is perfectly acceptable in this instance to say "Miss?" put your hand up (with a smile), Or simple make eye contact. Eye contact means you need us- we get it. waving your arms and shouting like we are blind and deaf is ridiculous.
6.) Helpful signals.- if your server is super busy and you find yourself irritated- or just want to be nice and help them out if they dont have time to stop- heres some waiter/waitress lingo for ya. Do these things and they will take care of you easier and faster, and they won't have to stop to chit chat.
STACKED PLATES= COME GET THESE
GLASS ON EDGE OF TABLE=FILL THIS UP
CREDIT CARD ON END OF TABLE= WE ARE READY TO LEAVE
CLOSED MENUS=WE ARE READY TO ORDER
JUST RECEIVED FULL PLATE AT THE END OF TABLE= THIS IS WRONG/TASTES BAD
7.) TIPS.
Some servers suck. Plain and simple. they seem irritated, annoyed, they are slow, lazy, etc. I know. trust me. Ive worked with enough of them. Give them a crappy tip! They'll get the point and get a new job. We'd be happy to be rid of them! Haha. But if they take goo care of you- dont assume their other tables are going to take good care of them for you. Dont even assume others in your party are going to take good care of them! Often we make less with a big party than a small party because everyone assumes the waiter/waitress will automatically get a good sum of money. Nope.
FICT/FACT
FICTION: WAITSTAFF MAKE GREAT MONEY AND AN HOURLY WAGE
FACT: HOURLY WAGE? NOT SO MUCH. GREAT MONEY- YEAH ALOT OF THE TIME WE DO FAIRLY WELL. BUT KEEP IN MIND ALOT OF THE TIME WE DON'T. ITS A VERY DELICATE BALANCE OF TERRIBLE AND AMAZING. WE HAVE TO BUDGET LIKE CRAZY PEOPLE- AND PRAY THE ECONOMY GETS BETTER. THE FIRST THING PEOPLE DO WHEN IT CRASHES IS- NO- NOT COMING OUT TO EAT ALL TOGETHER- THEY JUST SKIMP ON THE TIP. TRUE STORY.
FICT: WAITRESSES AND WATIERS HATE THEIR JOB BUT THE MONEY IS TO GOOD TO LEAVE
FACT: CAN BE TRUE- BUT YOU HAVE TO LIKE IT TO DEAL WITH THOSE NOT SO GOOD TIMES- AND TRUST ME WE HAVE THEM.
FICT- SERVERS FEEL ENTITLED- A TIP IS A PRIVILEDGE
FACT- THIS IS TRUE, IT IS A PRIVELEDGE. BUT WHO ARE WE KIDDING- EVERYONE KNOWS TIPPING IS PART OF GOING OUT TO EAT- IF THE SERVER DESERVES ONE. WE WORK HARD, WE MAKE 2 DOLLARS AN HOUR, WE COME HOME DEAD TIRED, SWEATY AND STINKY. IF WE TAKE CARE OF YOU- TAKE CARE OF US.
FICT: SERVERS WILL SPIT IN YOUR FOOD IF YOU SEND IT BACK.
FACT: I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYONE IN MY 5 YEARS SPIT IN SOMEONES FOOD. EVER. WE WILL COMPLAIN ABOUT YOU, CALL YOU EVERY NAME IN THE BOOK, BE RUDE TO YOU, PRAY YOU GET HIT BY A CAR (haha) BUT...WE WILL NOT SPIT IN YOUR FOOD. AT LEAST AT MY RESTAURANT. PLUS WE HAVE AN OPEN KITCHEN- WATCH FOR YOURSELF.
FICT: BUSY NIGHTS= THE MOST MONEY
FACT- NOT TRUE. BUSY NIGHTS= LOTS OF HUNGRY PEOPLE. LOTS OF HUNGRY PEOPLE= LOTS OF IRRITATED PEOPLE. LOTS OF IRRITATED/HUNGRY PEOPLE=LOTS OF TABLES. LOTS OF TABLES= LOTS OF FOOD. LOTS OF FOOD= COOKS VERY BUSY. COOKS VERY BUSY= FOOD COMES OUT SLOWER. SLOW FOOD= ANGRY PEOPLE. ANGRY PEOPLE= NO TIP.
8.) Our tables are how we make money- dont hold it hostage forever.
Campers= people who finish their meal and hang out for an extended amount of time.
We realize it isnt fast food- and you want to visit. Knock yourselves out! But on a busy night we only have 3-4 tables. and if two of those tables are still sitting there for an hour afterward- we lose money. If you want to leave a bigger tip- consider it booth rent- and we will treat you like gods and goddesses. But if not, understandable, but please don't cheat us out of money we could earn. We have to take advantage of the busy nights because there really isn't very many. There are nights I work 7 hours and make 80-100 bucks. Pretty good gig huh> there are also nights I work 7 hours and make 25-30 bucks. Seriously- this happens way more often than people think. So please- if you get something worth rewarding- remember we depend on the generosity or lack there of- of people. Throw us an extra couple of bucks. We dont get a paycheck.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY. WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH. WE ALL HAVE BILLS, SCHOOL, AND SOME OF US HAVE FAMILIES TO SUPPORT. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THIS IS AN UNSTEADY BUSINESS WHERE EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT. WHEN WE HIT A SLUMP- WE MAKE LITERALLY NOTHING FOR HOWEVER LONG THAT SLUMP IS. I MADE 160 DOLLARS IN TWO WEEKS DURING ALL THAT SNOW. YEAH. ROUGH STUFF. BUT I STILL LOVE WHAT I DO, AND GENUINELY LIKE THAT I AM REWARDED FOR MY HARD WORK. :)
