Anyone who has gone to school and had to work to pay rent and other bills knows how difficult it can be. Yes, it’s ideal to work somewhere where you’re able to make $12 or $15 an hour, but realistically, you’re looking more at minimum wage, in which case the ultimate decision is made: wait tables.
Putting on you’re best smile and your “table voice” as you introduce yourself and offer drinks, appetizers, entrées and desserts sounds simple enough, but unfortunately it’s not. Generally speaking, customer service in its entirety is not easy and pushes buttons you didn’t know you had.
It seems that when some people sit at a table, they forget their server is there to make their dining experience enjoyable and is working to earn a good tip not as a maid or servant.
“Hi I’m Stephanie. How are yo...”
“I need a tea.”
It’s moments like this where the lack of respect or consideration starts to seep in and the server will determine the rest of your experience based on that warm greeting.
Do you NEED a tea? No. Will you live without it? Absolutely. It may be 2010, but “please” and “thank you” still work last time I checked.
I feel that the people who don’t value servers have this idea that waiting tables is not a respectable occupation. A vast majority of servers are students trying to get through school or those with children and they have no desire to stay in the restaurant business thereafter.
Granted, there are good apples as much as there are bad. There are many times I can recall people making my day better because they respected my service, were pleasant to wait on, and tipped accordingly (a minimum of 15%). Sadly, though, all it takes is one really bad table to make a server’s night go downhill.
I apologize that you don’t like your table, but I didn’t seat you. I’m sorry your steak wasn’t cooked to you’re liking. There’s no reason to snap at me, I didn’t cook it.
It’s disappointing to give all your effort to a table and get a 5% tip or worse… be stiffed. Stiffed is the taboo word for any server. People fail to realize that we remember their faces and the next time they come in, they will be labeled as the “bad tipper.” It’s sad, but true.
Those who take care of their server are remembered too and they are the ones everyone wants to wait on.
I remember the man who ordered bleu cheese dressing for his salad and when I informed him we were out, he told me to “go find some or make some” and told me there was a grocery store across the street.
If people show appreciation towards those in the customer-service field, they would be given better service. It’s easy. It’s black and white.
I treat fellow servers and others the same way I want to be treated. If it takes waiting tables for those who lack appreciation to suddenly gain it, we are accepting applications.
Be the first to comment on this article!