I will reference this list prior to tipping...be warned

[pauldun170]

100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do (Part 1)
By Bruce Buschel
Start-Up Chronicle

Herewith is a modest list of dos and don’ts for servers at the seafood restaurant I am building. Veteran waiters, moonlighting actresses, libertarians and baristas will no doubt protest some or most of what follows. They will claim it homogenizes them or stifles their true nature. And yet, if 100 different actors play Hamlet, hitting all the same marks, reciting all the same lines, cannot each one bring something unique to that role?

1. Do not let anyone enter the restaurant without a warm greeting.

2. Do not make a singleton feel bad. Do not say, “Are you waiting for someone?” Ask for a reservation. Ask if he or she would like to sit at the bar.

3. Never refuse to seat three guests because a fourth has not yet arrived.

4. If a table is not ready within a reasonable length of time, offer a free drink and/or amuse-bouche. The guests may be tired and hungry and thirsty, and they did everything right.

5. Tables should be level without anyone asking. Fix it before guests are seated.

6. Do not lead the witness with, “Bottled water or just tap?” Both are fine. Remain neutral.

7. Do not announce your name. No jokes, no flirting, no cuteness.

8. Do not interrupt a conversation. For any reason. Especially not to recite specials. Wait for the right moment.

9. Do not recite the specials too fast or robotically or dramatically. It is not a soliloquy. This is not an audition.

10. Do not inject your personal favorites when explaining the specials.

11. Do not hustle the lobsters. That is, do not say, “We only have two lobsters left.” Even if there are only two lobsters left.

12. Do not touch the rim of a water glass. Or any other glass.

13. Handle wine glasses by their stems and silverware by the handles.

14. When you ask, “How’s everything?” or “How was the meal?” listen to the answer and fix whatever is not right.

15. Never say “I don’t know” to any question without following with, “I’ll find out.”

16. If someone requests more sauce or gravy or cheese, bring a side dish of same. No pouring. Let them help themselves.

17. Do not take an empty plate from one guest while others are still eating the same course. Wait, wait, wait.

18. Know before approaching a table who has ordered what. Do not ask, “Who’s having the shrimp?”

19. Offer guests butter and/or olive oil with their bread.

20. Never refuse to substitute one vegetable for another.

21. Never serve anything that looks creepy or runny or wrong.

22. If someone is unsure about a wine choice, help him. That might mean sending someone else to the table or offering a taste or two.

23. If someone likes a wine, steam the label off the bottle and give it to the guest with the bill. It has the year, the vintner, the importer, etc.

24. Never use the same glass for a second drink.

25. Make sure the glasses are clean. Inspect them before placing them on the table.

26. Never assume people want their white wine in an ice bucket. Inquire.

27. For red wine, ask if the guests want to pour their own or prefer the waiter to pour.

28. Do not put your hands all over the spout of a wine bottle while removing the cork.

29. Do not pop a champagne cork. Remove it quietly, gracefully. The less noise the better.

30. Never let the wine bottle touch the glass into which you are pouring. No one wants to drink the dust or dirt from the bottle.

31. Never remove a plate full of food without asking what went wrong. Obviously, something went wrong.

32. Never touch a customer. No excuses. Do not do it. Do not brush them, move them, wipe them or dust them.

33. Do not bang into chairs or tables when passing by.

34. Do not have a personal conversation with another server within earshot of customers.

35. Do not eat or drink in plain view of guests.

36. Never reek from perfume or cigarettes. People want to smell the food and beverage.

37. Do not drink alcohol on the job, even if invited by the guests. “Not when I’m on duty” will suffice.

38.Do not call a guy a “dude.”

39. Do not call a woman “lady.”

40. Never say, “Good choice,” implying that other choices are bad.

41. Saying, “No problem” is a problem. It has a tone of insincerity or sarcasm. “My pleasure” or “You’re welcome” will do.

42. Do not compliment a guest’s attire or hairdo or makeup. You are insulting someone else.

43. Never mention what your favorite dessert is. It’s irrelevant.

44. Do not discuss your own eating habits, be you vegan or lactose intolerant or diabetic.

45. Do not curse, no matter how young or hip the guests.

46. Never acknowledge any one guest over and above any other. All guests are equal.

47. Do not gossip about co-workers or guests within earshot of guests.

48. Do not ask what someone is eating or drinking when they ask for more; remember or consult the order.

49. Never mention the tip, unless asked.

50. Do not turn on the charm when it’s tip time. Be consistent throughout.

[HurricaneHeather]

I hate it when the waitor tells you how busy he is.

On Sunday ours left our check and said, "I just got double sat, so I'll be back when I get the chance." :wtf:

[Cruzergirl]

I hate it when the waitor tells you how busy he is.

On Sunday ours left our check and said, "I just got double sat, so I'll be back when I get the chance." :wtf:


I know! Why do they do that? :scratch: I'm not their friend! I have wanted to reply back with a snide remark like :ooh, sorry, I don't have enough for a tip, I was too busy to get the cash" or I have just left a penny...that only happened once though.

[CrazyKell]

I wish more servers understood this list. Bad service is intolerable in my opinion and I hate feeling like I'm the one doing something wrong if I choose to complain. I shouldn't even have to think about the service.

[HurricaneHeather]

I wish more servers understood this list. Bad service is intolerable in my opinion and I hate feeling like I'm the one doing something wrong if I choose to complain. I shouldn't even have to think about the service.

This is why I rarely go out to eat and if I do, I prefer to go to a place you order at the counter and get your own drink. Tons of good places like that in Austin, so it's nice.

[wildchild]

oh oh oh #34 I had a waitress at an upscale restaurant sit down at a table of her friends and hold conversation. I had to go over and ask her to come and refill our drinks.

when i left, I gave her no tip and told the mgr about it. last time I went there.

great list, should be posted in restaurants everywhere.

[Apoc]

Service to me, is receiving a good, hot meal, in a reasonable time frame. As long as they arent utterly rude, the rest of that list makes no difference to me whatsoever.

I will tip a spectacular waitress more though. Really hot ones too.

[Papa_Complex]

Can you please add, "Do not sit down and apologize to the client for the poor service, halfway through the meal, and explain that it was because you were at a team building meeting the night before and got completely stinking drunk"?

[Riceaholic]

I've been a bartender/ server/manager most of my life and what kills me is that every item on that list should be common sense. If you aren't bright enough to have any one of these things occur to you without being told, you should be stocking shelves somewhere...

[wildchild]

I've been a bartender/ server/manager most of my life and what kills me is that every item on that list should be common sense. If you aren't bright enough to have any one of these things occur to you without being told, you should be stocking shelves somewhere...

ah the difference between those who belong in the field and do well and those who think it is all they can get and resent every moment at their job.

[Tsunami]

ah the difference between those who belong in the field and do well and those who think it is all they can get and resent every moment at their job.

Also a difference between who gets tipped 20%+ and those who don't.

[unknownroad]

If a table is not ready within a reasonable length of time, offer a free drink and/or amuse-bouche.


:scratch:

Some of the stuff is a little anal, I get the feeling that if I worked for the author I'd have a hard time getting through a week without strangling him.

[Smittie61984]

Most of those problems can be fixed by making sure you don't have a hot waitress. Guys or ugly/fat waitresses know they actually have to work to get a tip.

[azoomm]

I've been a bartender/ server/manager most of my life and what kills me is that every item on that list should be common sense. If you aren't bright enough to have any one of these things occur to you without being told, you should be stocking shelves somewhere...

:dthumb:

It's really great when they think they are being clever, but are actually insulting. THEN, get all pussy hurt when they don't make good tips. Huh, wonder why?

[Quick281]

Everyone should be a server in a busy place at least once in their life.

[Tsunami]

Everyone should be a server in a busy place at least once in their life.

and why is that?

[Riceaholic]

Everyone should be a server in a busy place at least once in their life.

I agree...it builds character.

[Tmall]

I disagree. Being a lumber jack builds character.


Bringing me my food makes you subservient.


You walk back and forth to the kitchen and top up drinks.


If anybody thinks that is in any way a hard job, then you didn't have enough character building.

[Papa_Complex]

and why is that?

So you know that you never want to sink that low again.

[karl_1052]

Service to me, is receiving a good, hot meal, in a reasonable time frame. As long as they arent utterly rude, the rest of that list makes no difference to me whatsoever.

I will tip a spectacular waitress more though. Really hot ones too.

I am with Apoc, as long as my food gets here within a reasonable time, and is hot, I will give a decent tip. If the waitress is hot, I will slip her a roofie, and give her a different kind of tip.

[HurricaneHeather]

Everyone should be a server in a busy place at least once in their life.

I did. I was aweful at it. I am not good at faking a smile. If someone treats me like a lower form of human life because I am the one refilling their sweet tea at Cracker Barrell I will treat them like shit. I never spit in anyones food or dumb shit like that because I wanted them to know I was treating them like shit. None of that passive agressive nonsense. :lol:

Oh you wanted more gravy for your chicken fried steak? I'll think about it.

Again, I was AWEFUL at serving. :lol:

[Rider]

Everyone should be a server in a busy place at least once in their life.

I'd get fired after the first table for insulting the asswipe ordering their food.

[Rider]

I disagree. Being a lumber jack builds character.


Bringing me my food makes you subservient.


You walk back and forth to the kitchen and top up drinks.


If anybody thinks that is in any way a hard job, then you didn't have enough character building.

Serving in the military builds character, being a lumberjack builds a strong back.

[marko138]

Wife and I go to Applebees pretty often. We always sit at the bar. Have for years. We've become friends with the bar tenders and get excellent service. They know us by name, know what we drink and have it ready as soon as they see us walk in the door. I tip them extremely well and they take care of us the way ALL servers should take care of their customers.

[Tmall]

Rider,

I've done both. I'd pick the military any day.

I've worked longer hours in the forces, but I've never worked as hard as I have when I did the lumberjack thing.

[Rider]

Rider,

I've done both. I'd pick the military any day.

I've worked longer hours in the forces, but I've never worked as hard as I have when I did the lumberjack thing.

That's why I said strong back. You don't have to have a physically demanding job to build character, you need discipline, teamwork, and a desire to do your best. You might get the from being a lumberjack though. :idk:

[azoomm]

Everyone should be a server in a busy place at least once in their life.

I don't know about that. It's kind of like the self-service cashier stands that are popping up in all the stores now... I'm a BAD cashier. I wouldn't be able to get hired as a cashier because the damn scanner hates me and I have no patience for the public.

That said, I was a bartender, waitress, host, and manager. I think it has made me more critical on servers as I know what it takes to do the job and it ISN'T that difficult.

[CrazyKell]

Ihat said, I was a bartender, waitress, host, and manager. I think it has made me more critical on servers as I know what it takes to do the job and it ISN'T that difficult.

Same here. I've been there and I know it isn't that difficult to do a good job.

I find a lot of servers treat it one of two ways. Either they see it as their own social playground with serving you coming in a distant second. Or they're a seasoned server (but crap at it) so assume they know what they're doing and refuse to change.

I want to invent the Tip-O-Meter. It'd be a machine that sat on the table in plain view of the server. I'll start your tip out at a modest 20%. Every little thing could make me either press a button to up that amount, or press a button to reduce that amount. :lmao:

[Rider]

Same here. I've been there and I know it isn't that difficult to do a good job.

I find a lot of servers treat it one of two ways. Either they see it as their own social playground with serving you coming in a distant second. Or they're a seasoned server (but crap at it) so assume they know what they're doing and refuse to change.

I want to invent the Tip-O-Meter. It'd be a machine that sat on the table in plain view of the server. I'll start your tip out at a modest 20%. Every little thing could make me either press a button to up that amount, or press a button to reduce that amount. :lmao:

You have to work up to 20% not work down from 20%. I'd start them out at 10% and make them earn more.

[HurricaneHeather]

You have to work up to 20% not work down from 20%. I'd start them out at 10% and make them earn more.

And this is why I was so bad at waiting tables.

There are so many people that will tip like shit no matter what and there are people who tip well no matter what. For 95% of the population, they didn't rate me based on service. Some would however rate me on the tastiness of their food :rolleyes:

Old people would come in there to have breakfast and tip an effing quarter every single day.

God I hated waiting tables!! May not have been hard for others, but I would literally have nightmares about it. :lol:

[pauldun170]

I am with Apoc, as long as my food gets here within a reasonable time, and is hot, I will give a decent tip. If the waitress is hot, I will slip her a roofie, and give her a different kind of tip.

:lol:

[CrazyKell]

You have to work up to 20% not work down from 20%. I'd start them out at 10% and make them earn more.

Good point.

[marko138]

My buddy does this thing at restaurants where puts a few sugar packets in teh center of the table. He tells the server that this is their tip as of right now. If they do good he adds another suger packet and if they do bad then he removes sugar packets. He tells them that will reflect their tip at the end of the meal.

[Rider]

My buddy does this thing at restaurants where puts a few sugar packets in teh center of the table. He tells the server that this is their tip as of right now. If they do good he adds another suger packet and if they do bad then he removes sugar packets. He tells them that will reflect their tip at the end of the meal.

I don't see the need to give them advance notice that if they do a bad job, then their tip will reflect it. They are adults and they should know this.

[marko138]

I don't see the need to give them advance notice that if they do a bad job, then their tip will reflect it. They are adults and they should know this.
I agree. That should be fairly obvious in their line of work.

[Papa_Complex]

My buddy does this thing at restaurants where puts a few sugar packets in teh center of the table. He tells the server that this is their tip as of right now. If they do good he adds another suger packet and if they do bad then he removes sugar packets. He tells them that will reflect their tip at the end of the meal.

I always thought that was a douchebag move.

[marko138]

I always thought that was a douchebag move.
I think so too...but :idk: To each his own I guess.

[RedRider2k2]

My buddy does this thing at restaurants where puts a few sugar packets in teh center of the table. He tells the server that this is their tip as of right now. If they do good he adds another suger packet and if they do bad then he removes sugar packets. He tells them that will reflect their tip at the end of the meal.

I would probably spit in his food...While he was eating it.

[HurricaneHeather]

I would probably spit in his food...While he was eating it.

Oh yeah, I would treat him like absolute crap out of principle. :lol:

I wouldn't do well with someone essentially saying: Dance Monkey! Dance!!

[Apoc]

That's why I said strong back. You don't have to have a physically demanding job to build character, you need discipline, teamwork, and a desire to do your best. You might get the from being a lumberjack though. :idk:


You need all those things if you want to make any money as a lumberjack.

It takes all kinds of discipline to be in the woods at 5am, ready to cut, with a 20 pound saw for the next 7-8 hours, because you know after 12, the flies and heat are gonna kill you. Lazy people dont make good lumberjacks.

[pauldun170]

Dance Monkey! Dance!!

:lol:

[Riceaholic]

I disagree. Being a lumber jack builds character.


Bringing me my food makes you subservient.


You walk back and forth to the kitchen and top up drinks.


If anybody thinks that is in any way a hard job, then you didn't have enough character building.

I've also been a roofer. Making money in hospitality requires a different set of skills. They both build character. Just one man's opinion.

[Tmall]

I've also been a roofer. Making money in hospitality requires a different set of skills. They both build character. Just one man's opinion.

I think we have a different definition of "character".

To me somebody who has built character has realized that life is hard, and sometimes you just have to lower your head and keep plowing on through till you reach the other side.

A man with character can eat his shit sandwich and joke about the stale bread.

Somebody bitching 10 years later about how rude people sucked and only gave them 20% for doing 10 minutes of actual work hasn't built any character from doing it. They've just added experience to their life. This is, of course, just another man's opinion..

[Captain Morgan]

#51. Own up to your mistakes. If you fucked up and forgot to put the order in, admit it. Don't act like nothing happened. And come back and refill drinks sometime during the 45 minutes that people have been waiting for their fucking sandwich at lunch while other people came in after them and are already done eating. And if you're a manager, at least fucking apologize, rather than telling the people to call ahead during the busy hour, especially since there were only 10 people sitting in the place when the 8 of them walked in.

[Amorok]

I've been a waiter. It was a shit job that I didn't enjoy and I did it to pay bills. No one at any of my tables knew that. I wrote your order down on a pad and kept your order in my pocket as long as you were there. Before I came to your table I looked at my list so I knew what your order was, and if there were questions I was ready. If your order was wrong I went to the kitchen and made it right, and the last thing you heard from me was "Thank you for visiting us, please come back soon!" I made sure to treat your meal as an important event, because as far as I knew it was your anniversary. I got great toips and was requested by repeat customers and the other waiters wondered why. It isn't a particularly difficult job nor is it physically demanding. People should have a modicum of preofessionalism and there wouldn't be problems with service.

[marko138]

I've been a waiter. It was a shit job that I didn't enjoy and I did it to pay bills. No one at any of my tables knew that. I wrote your order down on a pad and kept your order in my pocket as long as you were there. Before I came to your table I looked at my list so I knew what your order was, and if there were questions I was ready. If your order was wrong I went to the kitchen and made it right, and the last thing you heard from me was "Thank you for visiting us, please come back soon!" I made sure to treat your meal as an important event, because as far as I knew it was your anniversary. I got great toips and was requested by repeat customers and the other waiters wondered why. It isn't a particularly difficult job nor is it physically demanding. People should have a modicum of preofessionalism and there wouldn't be problems with service.
Sounds like you knew what the hell you were doing. Unlike many of the teeny bopper ass clowns doing it now a days.


Get off my lawn, you kids!

[HurricaneHeather]

Somebody bitching 10 years later about how rude people sucked and only gave them 20% for doing 10 minutes of actual work hasn't built any character from doing it. They've just added experience to their life. This is, of course, just another man's opinion..

Yeah I can say I learned absolutely nothing other than not to wait tables anymore. :shrug:

I can't really say I've learned anything of real value at any job I've had though.

[marko138]

Yeah I can say I learned absolutely nothing other than not to wait tables anymore. :shrug:

I can't really say I've learned anything of real value at any job I've had though.
I've learned that working in TV news SUCKS ASS! GOV'T WORK FTW!

[sherri_chickie]

I waitressed at the local hotel/restaurant when I was 14. I hated it and people tipped like crap no matter how hard I worked. The 25 cent breakfast tip was very common with the regulars. Made me determined to get an education so I didn't have to waitress my whole life.I

I think a good tip for good service is due, but if service sucks we will leave a small or no tip at all. If I have coffee, I want a refill, not to sit there for 20 minutes trying to chase a server down.

I also tip more if I am demanding more, special orders, lots of coffee or pop refills etc.

[TYEster]

I bet this hasn't been addressed yet...

#Whatever - When a customer is CLEARLY eating, has food in their mouth, or is in other words enjoying the food - DON'T ASK QUESTIONS to which the customer will have to respond while trying to enjoy the food. "How is the food?" is ONLY acceptable if the customer is not eating, sitting without touching the food, plate or beverage, or is waving you down because something's fucked up.


I am tired of having to respond when I clearly DONT have a problem with my food. Even when I'm picky, it's obvious and I make life easy for the wait staff.
*this falls under the "dumb questions" thread too. Why WHY do they always ask when I'm in the middle of a mouthful of food? I would respond with words but I was taught manners. So instead I just sit there till I'm done. Annoying? Hmm maybe someone should have some better timing and customer service.

[Riceaholic]

I think we have a different definition of "character".

To me somebody who has built character has realized that life is hard, and sometimes you just have to lower your head and keep plowing on through till you reach the other side.

A man with character can eat his shit sandwich and joke about the stale bread.

Somebody bitching 10 years later about how rude people sucked and only gave them 20% for doing 10 minutes of actual work hasn't built any character from doing it. They've just added experience to their life. This is, of course, just another man's opinion..

My idea of building character was making the most of a job that probably sucked. I could have probably summed that up a little better in my earlier posts...:lol:

[Tsunami]

My idea of building character was making the most of a job that probably sucked. I could have probably summed that up a little better in my earlier posts...:lol:

you don't have to be waiting tables to be in a job that sucks...

[HurricaneHeather]

I bet this hasn't been addressed yet...

#Whatever - When a customer is CLEARLY eating, has food in their mouth, or is in other words enjoying the food - DON'T ASK QUESTIONS to which the customer will have to respond while trying to enjoy the food. "How is the food?" is ONLY acceptable if the customer is not eating, sitting without touching the food, plate or beverage, or is waving you down because something's fucked up.


I am tired of having to respond when I clearly DONT have a problem with my food. Even when I'm picky, it's obvious and I make life easy for the wait staff.
*this falls under the "dumb questions" thread too. Why WHY do they always ask when I'm in the middle of a mouthful of food? I would respond with words but I was taught manners. So instead I just sit there till I'm done. Annoying? Hmm maybe someone should have some better timing and customer service.

I just give them a :dthumb: with a not so pleased look so they know to go away. I am good at getting people to go away. :D

[shmike]

you don't have to be waiting tables to be in a job that sucks...

Nope.

Just like you don't have to be a lumberjack to build character.

[Tmall]

You definitely don't.

But, being a cashier builds character, being a gas station attendant builds character, being on welfare builds character.

To what extent? You brought me my food and didn't spit in it, congratulations you're building character..

[CrazyKell]

You definitely don't.

But, being a cashier builds character, being a gas station attendant builds character, being on welfare builds character.

To what extent? You brought me my food and didn't spit in it, congratulations you're building character..

Arguable in the same way that someone could say "you cut a tree down and didn't die. Congratulations you're building character". ;)

The character building comes from persevering through things whether they be easy or hard. Everything teaches you something.

[unknownroad]

My idea of building character was making the most of a job that probably sucked. I could have probably summed that up a little better in my earlier posts...:lol:

Well fuck your character then redflip

[Riceaholic]

Well fuck your character then redflip

For real...:lol:

[the chi]

I've been a bartender/ server/manager most of my life and what kills me is that every item on that list should be common sense. If you aren't bright enough to have any one of these things occur to you without being told, you should be stocking shelves somewhere...

Amen, and this applies to many jobs throughout the spectrum...


I've been a waiter. It was a shit job that I didn't enjoy and I did it to pay bills. No one at any of my tables knew that. I wrote your order down on a pad and kept your order in my pocket as long as you were there. Before I came to your table I looked at my list so I knew what your order was, and if there were questions I was ready. If your order was wrong I went to the kitchen and made it right, and the last thing you heard from me was "Thank you for visiting us, please come back soon!" I made sure to treat your meal as an important event, because as far as I knew it was your anniversary. I got great toips and was requested by repeat customers and the other waiters wondered why. It isn't a particularly difficult job nor is it physically demanding. People should have a modicum of preofessionalism and there wouldn't be problems with service.

Sounds like you went about it exactly as necessary. I did the same when I did it. Second job, at night, after working all day and being tired as hell. Did a bartending gig too, spent all day and all night working. Tell me being on your feet 24 hours straight doesnt build character (and a huge crash after).

I may hate what I am doing, but there is no way that my customers need to know about it.

I just give them a :dthumb: with a not so pleased look so they know to go away. I am good at getting people to go away. :D


Me too! Glad Im not the only one. I really hate it when they keep coming back time after time, apparently they dont have enough to do.

[Tsunami]

I just give them a :dthumb: with a not so pleased look so they know to go away. I am good at getting people to go away. :D

I have to try that next time. If I am at the restaurant i am either shoving food in my mouth or talking. While I appreciate the attentiveness vs having to ask for water when my glass has been empty for a while, I rather you just be seen, catch my eye and be perceptive enough not to come over unneccesarily.

[Apoc]

Im guessing bad waitresses are a product of the people who use that list as a starting point for service, and drive the servers crazy.

Hey, Tmall, think we should bring this list to Toz? Maybe they can post it the kitchen? :lol:

[Quick281]

and why is that?
I am not saying serving is the world's toughest job, its very simple actually. I just think people that have been in those busy situations where you can't please everyone, will have a better understanding of their own food service in the future.

I think it has made me more critical on servers as I know what it takes to do the job and it ISN'T that difficult.

I agree with you. Fucking up simple things when the place is dead slow and you are the only customer is inexcusable. Making small mistakes when the place is super busy and the server might be covering more than their own section, isn't a big deal but some people have 0 tolerance for that. When I go to eat, I expect an accurate order, friendliness and drink refills. Much like Apoc, unless the person was outright rude I tip well.

My experience is sort of unique in the since that I work in a small 70 year old Roadhouse with a small grill and seats for 90 people, which are covered by only two servers. We are usually full most of the morning as we are a breakfast only place and the wait time averages 30 minutes for one of our 3 meals. The tourists however forget they are in the middle of no where Alaska and expect fast food which is annoying.


Bringing me my food makes you subservient.


If a customer service job makes me subservient, than what the fuck is signing a contract and joining any armed force? Way more subservient?

[Tsunami]

I am not saying serving is the world's toughest job, its very simple actually. I just think people that have been in those busy situations where you can't please everyone, will have a better understanding of their own food service in the future.


Its hard for me! I can't remember who ordered what, who sits where etc. I have small hands and its hard for me to bring out a bunch of food too, not to mention a bad back so standing and being on my feet turns into excruciating pain afterwards. but i was always really nice to food service people and I am really not demanding at all. As long as my food comes out and i dont have to wait forever for my bill and I get refills, I'm happy. And i'm a pretty good tipper and always end up chatting with the waitstaff. I do have more appreciation though now that I have had a week of waitressing experience :lol:

but then again there are jobs i had that most people hate and i found it really easy...yes you can't please everyone, but thats life, not just in food service, but I get what you are saying.

[Papa_Complex]

I am not saying serving is the world's toughest job, its very simple actually. I just think people that have been in those busy situations where you can't please everyone, will have a better understanding of their own food service in the future.

That can be said of anyone who has worked in a customer service capacity. I worked at Toronto International Airport (I refuse to call it Pearson Airport) for 5 years, in the parking lot, in various capacities. As a parking attendant I got called "white trash" because I wouldn't let a minority businessman park his car in one of the only 6 handicapped spaces in the whole lot. I got pushed by cars when people were impatient. As a cashier people lied about how large a bill they handed me to pay for parking. As the assistant supervisor I had to calm down customers who were clearly in the wrong, without telling them to their faces that they were wrong.

[Quick281]

That can be said of anyone who has worked in a customer service capacity.


I can see what your saying. After serving tourists in a breakfast joint and working as a cashier at Wal-mart in college, I can't stand most people. Working in an airport in any fashion simply scares me though. Any of the people jobs at a large airport must be awful.