Waiting Tables and why I don't do it anymore — Page 3

i would hope that those people are few and far between.

You've got more faith in people than I do, RobbO.


Lots of people can't afford that, and therefore can't go out for a meal.

But again, that's the not the fault of the server. It's a system that's been in place for decades. Lots of people can't afford to do lots of things due to individual circumstances. If someone has gone out to eat at a restaurant where they are to be served, they know the drill.

And here's that article I keep yammering on about.

My Week as a Server

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Updated On: 4/19/07 at 11:41 AM

read the article. it didn't sound so bad.

oh, and i think it is funny that a customer is supposed to magically know about all the ins and outs of the restaurant business, low pay, how many tables the server has and care but the server doesn't have to have the same empathy for the customer who may not be in the position to overtip becky for being barely adequate at her job that she spends most of her time at flirting with chip (who's too busy flirting with brad to care about becky...).

i should write an article on some of the horrific experiences i have had as a patron. it would make clive barker blush.

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i say "no" to the last one. now give me a dollar.

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i would, however, like to slap some customers for the way i hear some people treat their servers. but mom doesn't like it when i hit dad...

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but how will they learn?!?

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Interestingly, in my experience as a former server, I've found that the "Pricks" are the ones that tip better, as long as you please them. I don't know if that is the power trip that they are on, rewarding you if you managed to somehow meet thier expectations, or what, but they usually tip better than the people who are full of "please" and thank you's". Sometimes I think that the polite people think that a verbal praise takes the place of a monetary tip.

of course that's not everyone. I am one of the most patient and polilte people to servers, and unless the service was God Awful, (Like a rat in my soup or something) I always leave 20%.

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as an "insider" kringas, did you and other servers talk and BS and say "man, i didn't do anything all night and got great tips!" did you guys raze the bad servers and tell them to bring their game up? anything like that?

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Having worked as a waiter myself, I usually have great sympathy for anyone in the food service industry. But whoever wrote that Starbucks thing needs to find a new way of supporting him- or herself, because human interaction doesn't seem to be his/her thing.

Yeah, the Starbucks thing is a bit much. Besides, I have worked both food service and as a barista and its like comparing swimming the English Channel with swimming in a pool.

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they make waiters swim the english channel now?

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Listen to this ep of This American Life.

http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=172

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I waited tables for years, all through college and for a few years after to make extra money. While it was often frustrating, I enjoyed it as a line of work. My attitude was that if I had a really bad customer, chances were that after an hour and a half, I would never see the person again. It made dealing with the nightmare customers a bit easier (and it is true that some people are difficult for the sake of being difficult. I often wonder if they go out to dinner with the INTENTION of finding something wrong).

Since I worked in the industry, I am pretty forgiving of servers - I can tell if they are having a busy night. As long as they are pleasant and make an effort, mistakes are forgiveable and will not affect the tip. When tipping, I start at 20% for good service and go up or down from there. Great service is going to get 25% from me. Decent but just okay service is going to get 15-18%. If you're just a complete ass, I go 10% or lower.

I only stiffed a waitress once. We were sitting at a table that was in a higher traffic area, and my friend's chair may have been sticking out a bit. The waitress came flying by and the plates she was holding lost balance. Food ended up all down the back of my friend's cashmere sweater. My friend was a little perturbed (she wasn't being very nice, I admit). But instead of apologizing, or getting a towel or even getting the manager to take care of it, the waitress said to my friend "It was an accident, I don't know why you're being such a bitch."

That was out of line. That's the one time I didn't tip.

And yes, the Stabucks barista clearly needs a new job! I have fab baristas at my Starbucks. And I tip them!

Updated On: 4/19/07 at 05:03 PM

Borstalboy, thanks for this. I try to over tip because I realize it's such hard work. I worked behind a desk, then took change at Burger King, then cleaned bathrooms, bunch of other stuff I'd rather forget - now I work behind a desk again. Believe me, I appreciate you. I leave a tip at a pizzeria for being handed a slice. My question is - when you pay by credit card and there's a place on the ticket for the tip - does that tip really get to you?

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