4 Ways To Make Sure A Server In Rochester Doesn’t Spit In Your Food

If you’ve ever worked in the food service industry before, you probably know that some people (not all, but some) can be the worst. You probably have a story or two about a rude, high maintenance, overly-demanding customer who made you want to throw a plate of butternut squash ravioli against the wall. Been there!

But if you’re someone who just likes going out to eat, yet also wants to make sure you’re not That Customer? Here are a few tips from real-life servers to keep in mind.

1. Be Respectful

Repeat after me: Your waiter or waitress is not your servant. So stop ordering your server around like they’re your butler, and definitely don’t use a fake British accent while doing so. It’s unbecoming.

2. Don’t Freak Out At Your Server If Your Food Isn’t Ready

Because it’s not their fault! If your order really is running late, you can politely ask your server about the hold up, but remember: they’re just the person taking the order and bringing the food out to you. They’re likely just as annoyed as you are. So don’t shoot the messenger.

3. Don’t Tip Like A Jerk

Because their hourly wages are astonishingly low (think somewhere in the $2 an hour range), many servers rely on tips as their main source of income. AND they often have to give a portion of their tips to other coworkers like the bartender, bussers, and even the kitchen staff. This is why every person I know who has worked in the food service industry always tips well. They know what's up.

4. Don’t Linger If It’s Closing Time

This is slightly off-topic, but I used to work at a Blockbuster Video when I was in high school (this sentence already makes me feel like I’m 100 years old). One Sunday evening, I was 10 minutes away from closing the store. After seeing the trailer for 50 First Dates playing on loop for 5 hours straight on multiple TVs within the store, I was ready to go. So with the clock ticking towards closing time, in walks a woman who proceeds to take the slowest walk ever around the store before finally renting two movies, which she of course paid for in loose change.

So yeah, don’t do the equivalent of that at a restaurant.

Bottom line? Just don’t be a jerk. You’d think that would be easy for most people to remember. If you’re a server in Rochester and think I left something out, feel free to leave a comment!

Source: Lifehacker