This is AMAZING
Stole this off of a myspace bulletin and thought I'd Post it because it's all very true...
Servers are people too! The next time you're out
eating at a restaurant, look at your server. Do you
think they are really happy to be doing that job? The
answer is no, they are not, but it's what we do, and
we do it for the money so please help them out. Its a
tougher job than you think and you should pay them
accordingly!
There are SO many people out there flooding the
restaurants w/o any knowledge of how to behave or tip.
Here is a short guide for the general public to
follow. Feel free to print out and store in your
wallet and/or purse.
1. CHILDREN "THE LITTLE DEVILS":
If you have children, DO NOT let them, open and dump
anything on the table (ie; salt, sugar, etc). IF YOU
DO, you must leave an extra $10 for the server to clean
up YOUR CHILD'S mess & to restock the now unusable
wasted items. We are neither their babysitter nor
their parent. The least you can do is pay us for the
extra work. Also make sure you control your kids and
don't let them scream or run around the restaurant.
It's very distracting not to mention dangerous if they
get ran over by a server with hot food in their hands.
2. "THE CAMPERS":
If you feel the necessity to stay for longer than 15
minutes after you pay, its an extra $10 every 30
minutes. We make our money from the tables. If you are
in one and we can't seat it, we don't make money.
3. "THE VERBAL TIP":
Telling a server they are the best server they've ever
had is NOT a tip. If we are good, let us know by
leaving us more money. We cant pay our bills on
compliments. Its not that we don't appreciate the
praise, its just that if you say that and then leave a
shitty tip it's an insult.
4. THE SALVATION PAMPHLETS:
Prayer cards and any other religious pamphlet is NOT a
tip. It is insulting that you assume we are w/o
religion and must save us. Again, like ..3, we cant
pay bills w/prayer cards. We'd go to church on Sundays
if it wasn't mandatory to work on Sundays because
EVERYONE who goes to church follows it by eating out.
5. TIPPING:
It's not 1960. 18% is the MINIMUM amount of what you
should be tipping your servers. We'll break it down
for you....just look at the tax line and multiply by
2-3, this gives you your minimum tip amount. Remember,
WE GET PAID $2.13 AN HOUR!!!!! And we are taxed on 10
percent of your meal automatically anyway.******
IMPORTANT****** So if your meal is $100 and you leave
$10 and we tip out $4-5 to the busser, then $4-5 to
the bartender, and whoever else then we pay tax on 10
dollars and we make $5. It seems small but it adds up.
How many times do you eat out per week and do this?
6. THE COMPLAINERS:
If you get a discount because of your food was
prepared wrong or you just feel like being an asshole,
don't take it out of our tip. We didn't cook it. The
cooks get paid hourly regardless if the food sucks.
However, we only make what you give us.
7. THE LATE ONES:
If you come into the restaurant 10 mins before closing
or any time near closing hurry up and order your food
and get out. No better yet....don't come in AT ALL.
I'd rather not have the 5 extra dollars you're going
to leave on your $60 check. Thanks anyway... Closed
means closed, not social hour. What no one seems to
realize is that if customers are there, we are there
no matter how late they stay. We recommend 24 hour
establishments such as Dennys if you wish to sit into
the wee hours of the night.
8. THE GREET:
When we come up to the table to greet you and we ask
how you are doing please let us know. If you are in a
bad mood we want to know that we are going to have to
deal with your attitude the entire time. A confused
stare or complete silence does not suffice as a reply
to "How are you doing?". Also stop interrupting our
greeting and say "I want coffee", "Can we get some
bread?", or "What are the soups?" But please there is
no need for life stories...we aren't telling you ours
are we?
9. THOSE DAMN CELL PHONES:
Seriously! Get off your phone...This is probably the
rudest thing to do. If you must be on your cell, at
least keep your voice down in respect for other
customers. If you are on your cell phone when we walk
up to greet your table we will walk away and not
return until you get off your phone. All we ask is
MAYBE two minutes of your time. So get off your phone.
If you want to be rude to the guest with you, by all
means, go right ahead.
10. THE IMPATIENT ONES:
Ahh yes... If a server comes to bring out your drinks
and she/he is juggling about 5 things don't ask "Are
we going to get some bread???". Do you not see their
hands are full, does it look like you are going to get
some bread at that moment. Clearly you will get bread,
but unless the server can magically make bread appear,
your question is ridiculous. Some people at your table
might want their drink first, so thats what I'm
bringing right now.
11. THE ONES WHO RUN YOUR ASS OFF:
If a server comes to your table and asks "is there
anything else I can get for you?" I want you to tell
me everything you need. Don't ask for one item, have
me go and get it and on returning ask me for something
else...and then keep doing it. Think of EVERYTHING you
will need to make you happy and tell me ALL AT ONE
TIME. We do have brains and can remember things... and
last time we checked you aren't the only people in the
restaurant, we have other tables that need us, and
can't spend all night running back and forth. If you
verbally tell me "I can see that we are just running
you to death." Then obviously you understand this and
should tip accordingly. Tipping under the minimum
after running my ass off, especially when you have
realized you are doing so, is a smack in the face.
Next time I will let you do without.
12. SELF-SEATING:
Once again...it is not 1960, and most restaurants are
not on a "seat yourself" policy. Don't just assume
that the area near the bar is a place where you can
sit yourself down wherever you want. There is actually
a reason hosts put you where they do. Hosts try to
rotate tables, ensuring that each server gets the same
amount of tables, and also so that servers do not get
three tables all at once. This helps guarantee you get
the best service possible. Therefore don't ask to sit
somewhere else once a host has brought you to a
certain table either....RUDE. If you are unsure about
the restaurant's policy and there is someone standing
at the door staring at you when you walk in, you can
bet that's a host and they will inform you. Waffle
House is the only place it is acceptable to sit at a
table still left dirty from the party seated there
before...and please feel free to go there.
13. ORDER TAKING:
When the server comes by to take your order, don't say
that you are ready if you really aren't. Although it
may seem fun to keep your server standing at your
table for endless amounts of time while you actually
decide what you want, there are once again other
tables and other things that need to be done.
14. ASKING TO SEE THE MANAGER:
If your food sucks and you ask to see the manager
don't make us sound like incompotent assholes. We bust
our asses to make you happy, we dont cook your food so
please STOP taking it out on us
15. 10c SUNDAYS
Just dont go out on sundays. Seriously don't. Stay
home and cook your own food. Sunday is no diffrent
then Monday-Saturday yet people love to shaft you on
sundays, why? So do us all a favor and stay home.
16. GETTING JEALOUS OF A SERVER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX
We are being nice for tips, not b/c we want or are
flirting with your companion. If you took a step back
you would realize your server is usually being just as
nice to you as your company.
17. The Wave
If you need to get our attention all you need to do is look at us. Making eye contact and a quick nod is the easiest way to get our atttention. You dont need to do the wave or look like an anxious school child for us to know that you need us to stop by your table. Relax, enjoy the ambiance and we will be there shortly.
18. The interuption
If you see us at another table, dont assume that its ok to start talking with us. Its soo rude to start asking for another drink or anything else for that matter when you see us taking care of another table. They are paying for our time too, so refer to ..17 for the proper steps in obtaining our attention.
19. Foreigners
If you are from any area of Europe, dont eat in an american restaurant without being accompanied by 8 or more of your friends. That way we will be able to add our 18% gratuity saving us from your shitty $3 dollar tip on your $300 bill and you the embarrasment of being followed outside by an enraged server. Remember, Dont mess with the people who serve your food!!
20. The silent complainers
If you have a complaint about anything, anything at all, please tell us. We aren't going to run away scared or ignore the problem, we will correct the problem immediately. It is what we are trained to do, and most of us can handle any problem you throw at us. If not there are these people called managers in the restaurant that can help too. DO NOT, DO NOT, keep the complaint to yourself in order to leave a shitty tip and a nasty note on the receipt for your server. RUDE RUDE RUDE and it makes you look tacky and like a big asshole, because trust me, every other server after that will be told your story and you will be remembered.
All right well those are all good and well but I thought of a few more that REALLY piss me the hell off......
21. The camels
If you're planning on sucking down 6 sweet teas in a fuckin row, why don't you just ask me to bring you out a whole pitcher? There is nothing more annoying than coming out to check on you and seeing your glass empty EVERY time. How do you people do this? Did you run a fuckin marathon before you came to eat? Are you part camel? And all you fucks always do the same thing- you hold up your glass and shake it around. What's what? Am I too stupid to see your empty glass sitting on the table? Here's a thought- stop being a beluga whale and pace yourself because honestly, you people are the ones who piss me off the most.
22. The "can I get a hot server" people
What the hell is this shit about? I mean honestly, are you so deprived of female/male interaction that you must come to my place of business and whore it up there too? First of all, catering to you pre-pubescent morons throws off rotation, and secondly it makes you look sad. Do you want me to tell you what happens when you ask that question? The hostess TELLS the server, and that makes you look like a real dick. Just stop. When you go out to eat, let the cards fall as they may and take whichever server you get. It's not like you'd tip the "hot" one better, anyway.
23. The griping pregnant woman
What ever happened to gushing, glowing mothers-to-be? Lately all I've seen is irritated, bitchy women walking around. I hate you all with the most passion because apparently since YOU'RE pregnant, that means the world owes you something. You want EXACTLY five ice cubes in your cup and 29 fries, right? Bitches. Stop complaining, get over yourself, and learn to fucking tip. The world doesn't owe you anything and neither do I. In two years you'll be back and someone will be cleaning your child's mess up from the floor, scraping the change you left them off the table.
Servers are people too! The next time you're out
eating at a restaurant, look at your server. Do you
think they are really happy to be doing that job? The
answer is no, they are not, but it's what we do, and
we do it for the money so please help them out. Its a
tougher job than you think and you should pay them
accordingly!
There are SO many people out there flooding the
restaurants w/o any knowledge of how to behave or tip.
Here is a short guide for the general public to
follow. Feel free to print out and store in your
wallet and/or purse.
1. CHILDREN "THE LITTLE DEVILS":
If you have children, DO NOT let them, open and dump
anything on the table (ie; salt, sugar, etc). IF YOU
DO, you must leave an extra $10 for the server to clean
up YOUR CHILD'S mess & to restock the now unusable
wasted items. We are neither their babysitter nor
their parent. The least you can do is pay us for the
extra work. Also make sure you control your kids and
don't let them scream or run around the restaurant.
It's very distracting not to mention dangerous if they
get ran over by a server with hot food in their hands.
2. "THE CAMPERS":
If you feel the necessity to stay for longer than 15
minutes after you pay, its an extra $10 every 30
minutes. We make our money from the tables. If you are
in one and we can't seat it, we don't make money.
3. "THE VERBAL TIP":
Telling a server they are the best server they've ever
had is NOT a tip. If we are good, let us know by
leaving us more money. We cant pay our bills on
compliments. Its not that we don't appreciate the
praise, its just that if you say that and then leave a
shitty tip it's an insult.
4. THE SALVATION PAMPHLETS:
Prayer cards and any other religious pamphlet is NOT a
tip. It is insulting that you assume we are w/o
religion and must save us. Again, like ..3, we cant
pay bills w/prayer cards. We'd go to church on Sundays
if it wasn't mandatory to work on Sundays because
EVERYONE who goes to church follows it by eating out.
5. TIPPING:
It's not 1960. 18% is the MINIMUM amount of what you
should be tipping your servers. We'll break it down
for you....just look at the tax line and multiply by
2-3, this gives you your minimum tip amount. Remember,
WE GET PAID $2.13 AN HOUR!!!!! And we are taxed on 10
percent of your meal automatically anyway.******
IMPORTANT****** So if your meal is $100 and you leave
$10 and we tip out $4-5 to the busser, then $4-5 to
the bartender, and whoever else then we pay tax on 10
dollars and we make $5. It seems small but it adds up.
How many times do you eat out per week and do this?
6. THE COMPLAINERS:
If you get a discount because of your food was
prepared wrong or you just feel like being an asshole,
don't take it out of our tip. We didn't cook it. The
cooks get paid hourly regardless if the food sucks.
However, we only make what you give us.
7. THE LATE ONES:
If you come into the restaurant 10 mins before closing
or any time near closing hurry up and order your food
and get out. No better yet....don't come in AT ALL.
I'd rather not have the 5 extra dollars you're going
to leave on your $60 check. Thanks anyway... Closed
means closed, not social hour. What no one seems to
realize is that if customers are there, we are there
no matter how late they stay. We recommend 24 hour
establishments such as Dennys if you wish to sit into
the wee hours of the night.
8. THE GREET:
When we come up to the table to greet you and we ask
how you are doing please let us know. If you are in a
bad mood we want to know that we are going to have to
deal with your attitude the entire time. A confused
stare or complete silence does not suffice as a reply
to "How are you doing?". Also stop interrupting our
greeting and say "I want coffee", "Can we get some
bread?", or "What are the soups?" But please there is
no need for life stories...we aren't telling you ours
are we?
9. THOSE DAMN CELL PHONES:
Seriously! Get off your phone...This is probably the
rudest thing to do. If you must be on your cell, at
least keep your voice down in respect for other
customers. If you are on your cell phone when we walk
up to greet your table we will walk away and not
return until you get off your phone. All we ask is
MAYBE two minutes of your time. So get off your phone.
If you want to be rude to the guest with you, by all
means, go right ahead.
10. THE IMPATIENT ONES:
Ahh yes... If a server comes to bring out your drinks
and she/he is juggling about 5 things don't ask "Are
we going to get some bread???". Do you not see their
hands are full, does it look like you are going to get
some bread at that moment. Clearly you will get bread,
but unless the server can magically make bread appear,
your question is ridiculous. Some people at your table
might want their drink first, so thats what I'm
bringing right now.
11. THE ONES WHO RUN YOUR ASS OFF:
If a server comes to your table and asks "is there
anything else I can get for you?" I want you to tell
me everything you need. Don't ask for one item, have
me go and get it and on returning ask me for something
else...and then keep doing it. Think of EVERYTHING you
will need to make you happy and tell me ALL AT ONE
TIME. We do have brains and can remember things... and
last time we checked you aren't the only people in the
restaurant, we have other tables that need us, and
can't spend all night running back and forth. If you
verbally tell me "I can see that we are just running
you to death." Then obviously you understand this and
should tip accordingly. Tipping under the minimum
after running my ass off, especially when you have
realized you are doing so, is a smack in the face.
Next time I will let you do without.
12. SELF-SEATING:
Once again...it is not 1960, and most restaurants are
not on a "seat yourself" policy. Don't just assume
that the area near the bar is a place where you can
sit yourself down wherever you want. There is actually
a reason hosts put you where they do. Hosts try to
rotate tables, ensuring that each server gets the same
amount of tables, and also so that servers do not get
three tables all at once. This helps guarantee you get
the best service possible. Therefore don't ask to sit
somewhere else once a host has brought you to a
certain table either....RUDE. If you are unsure about
the restaurant's policy and there is someone standing
at the door staring at you when you walk in, you can
bet that's a host and they will inform you. Waffle
House is the only place it is acceptable to sit at a
table still left dirty from the party seated there
before...and please feel free to go there.
13. ORDER TAKING:
When the server comes by to take your order, don't say
that you are ready if you really aren't. Although it
may seem fun to keep your server standing at your
table for endless amounts of time while you actually
decide what you want, there are once again other
tables and other things that need to be done.
14. ASKING TO SEE THE MANAGER:
If your food sucks and you ask to see the manager
don't make us sound like incompotent assholes. We bust
our asses to make you happy, we dont cook your food so
please STOP taking it out on us
15. 10c SUNDAYS
Just dont go out on sundays. Seriously don't. Stay
home and cook your own food. Sunday is no diffrent
then Monday-Saturday yet people love to shaft you on
sundays, why? So do us all a favor and stay home.
16. GETTING JEALOUS OF A SERVER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX
We are being nice for tips, not b/c we want or are
flirting with your companion. If you took a step back
you would realize your server is usually being just as
nice to you as your company.
17. The Wave
If you need to get our attention all you need to do is look at us. Making eye contact and a quick nod is the easiest way to get our atttention. You dont need to do the wave or look like an anxious school child for us to know that you need us to stop by your table. Relax, enjoy the ambiance and we will be there shortly.
18. The interuption
If you see us at another table, dont assume that its ok to start talking with us. Its soo rude to start asking for another drink or anything else for that matter when you see us taking care of another table. They are paying for our time too, so refer to ..17 for the proper steps in obtaining our attention.
19. Foreigners
If you are from any area of Europe, dont eat in an american restaurant without being accompanied by 8 or more of your friends. That way we will be able to add our 18% gratuity saving us from your shitty $3 dollar tip on your $300 bill and you the embarrasment of being followed outside by an enraged server. Remember, Dont mess with the people who serve your food!!
20. The silent complainers
If you have a complaint about anything, anything at all, please tell us. We aren't going to run away scared or ignore the problem, we will correct the problem immediately. It is what we are trained to do, and most of us can handle any problem you throw at us. If not there are these people called managers in the restaurant that can help too. DO NOT, DO NOT, keep the complaint to yourself in order to leave a shitty tip and a nasty note on the receipt for your server. RUDE RUDE RUDE and it makes you look tacky and like a big asshole, because trust me, every other server after that will be told your story and you will be remembered.
All right well those are all good and well but I thought of a few more that REALLY piss me the hell off......
21. The camels
If you're planning on sucking down 6 sweet teas in a fuckin row, why don't you just ask me to bring you out a whole pitcher? There is nothing more annoying than coming out to check on you and seeing your glass empty EVERY time. How do you people do this? Did you run a fuckin marathon before you came to eat? Are you part camel? And all you fucks always do the same thing- you hold up your glass and shake it around. What's what? Am I too stupid to see your empty glass sitting on the table? Here's a thought- stop being a beluga whale and pace yourself because honestly, you people are the ones who piss me off the most.
22. The "can I get a hot server" people
What the hell is this shit about? I mean honestly, are you so deprived of female/male interaction that you must come to my place of business and whore it up there too? First of all, catering to you pre-pubescent morons throws off rotation, and secondly it makes you look sad. Do you want me to tell you what happens when you ask that question? The hostess TELLS the server, and that makes you look like a real dick. Just stop. When you go out to eat, let the cards fall as they may and take whichever server you get. It's not like you'd tip the "hot" one better, anyway.
23. The griping pregnant woman
What ever happened to gushing, glowing mothers-to-be? Lately all I've seen is irritated, bitchy women walking around. I hate you all with the most passion because apparently since YOU'RE pregnant, that means the world owes you something. You want EXACTLY five ice cubes in your cup and 29 fries, right? Bitches. Stop complaining, get over yourself, and learn to fucking tip. The world doesn't owe you anything and neither do I. In two years you'll be back and someone will be cleaning your child's mess up from the floor, scraping the change you left them off the table.