Restaurant Pet Peeves
Replies
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My #1 is when I hand the server my check and cash and am asked "do you need change?"
How about "I'll be right back with your change," which gives me the option of telling him/her that we're all set.
Why not just ask me if you can keep the change? You're asking for a tip, which is rude.
Disclaimer: I usually tip 20%, but this just sets my teeth on edge.
I don't see this as asking for a tip, just a simple question. At least they asked... one time I had a server who just took the money and never came back even though we did need change.0 -
I really despise when people go cheapskate and think they can leave a bad tip for whatever "reason" they think they can find. Maybe your food was cold because the kitchen had a difficult time keeping it warm while your *kitten* husbands well-done steak cooked. Or maybe your Mtn Dew didn't get filled within 30 seconds of you slugging it down because the new girl bumped into your waiter while he was traying up his other table's dinner and had sloshed sauce into someone else's salad and had to have it remade. Maybe you didn't get your check right away because your server was busy trying to explain to his other table the exact ingredients in an entree and what vegan options his grill house could create. You never know. PS. To those of you complaining that restaurants should increase their food prices so YOU don't have to tip: Right now, it is societally UNACCEPTABLE to not pay someone for their hard-earned service and if you don't like the system, don't go to restaurants with servers. Go protest and write to your congress about a living wage. It is never appropriate to use services and then not pay for them because they are not in line with your beliefs. If you can't afford to tip, don't go out.
When things like this happened, I would get a manager over to the table...quickly, offer a free dessert, whatever I had to do. I have found that customers don't really want to hear excuses about whose fault it was, so the best thing to do is just make them happy since they are paying for the experience as well as the food.0 -
As a server I have plenty.
One horrible one is when the person can't make up their mind on a super busy night when I have 7 other tables to attend to, so I offer to come back and they say "no, ill just order" and still take another minute or so deciding and ask a million questions about each item, when the description is written underneath the food item.. I got to the point where I just tell those people that im really busy, and need to do ___ for another table real quick and ill be right back, and walk away without getting a response. Suprisingly I still get good tips lol
Yes, as a customer I hate overhearing this and I'm always slightly embarassed if its someone at my table. Dude, you'lve been eating food for how long? Do you not know what you like to eat yet?0 -
My wife got pissed at me for one time getting so upset at a call going on next to us that I joined in the conversation. I said if you are talking loud enough for ALL to hear you MUST want to include us. The *kitten* got up and took his call outside.
^^^#2 for me especially sitting next to that person that thinks their conversation is soooooo important that everyone in the restaurant should hear it. I have a hard time restraining myself from telling them just how very rude they are!!!Loud cell phone patrons. Unless you're a doctor, put it on vibrate.0 -
Waiting to be seated. Having served in the military i hate waiting in line for anything now.0
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My wife got pissed at me for one time getting so upset at a call going on next to us that I joined in the conversation. I said if you are talking loud enough for ALL to hear you MUST want to include us. The *kitten* got up and took his call outside.
^^^#2 for me especially sitting next to that person that thinks their conversation is soooooo important that everyone in the restaurant should hear it. I have a hard time restraining myself from telling them just how very rude they are!!!Loud cell phone patrons. Unless you're a doctor, put it on vibrate.
lol that is hilarious that you joined the conversation.0 -
My #1 is when I hand the server my check and cash and am asked "do you need change?"
How about "I'll be right back with your change," which gives me the option of telling him/her that we're all set.
Why not just ask me if you can keep the change? You're asking for a tip, which is rude.
Disclaimer: I usually tip 20%, but this just sets my teeth on edge.
This is simply a time saver so you don't have to waste time getting change when you could be servicing other tables. Whenever I would ask this, I would do it before I opened the bill and looked at how much was there so I wouldn't seem presumptuous about the tip.0 -
Mine is a little odd. I DISLIKE when the server comes back to check on us after delivering our food and TELLS us it's fine, rather than asking how it is.
I dislike:
"Everything's good, yes?"
I prefer:
"How is everything?"0 -
Tipping.
"I'm very sorry the government taxes their tips, that's fcked up. That ain't my fault. It would seem to me that waitresses are one of the many groups the government fcks in the @ss on a regular basis. Look, if you ask me to sign something that says the government shouldn't do that, I'll sign it, put it to a vote, I'll vote for it, but what I won't do is play ball. And as for this non-college bull**** I got two words for that: learn to fckin' type, 'cause if you're expecting me to help out with the rent you're in for a big fckin' surprise. "0 -
Being referred to as "you guys."
I did NOT sprout a weenie.0 -
Oh God, where do I start? As a former restaurant owner (co-owned with my parents) and FOH manager, I have plenty of gripes.
The biggest pet peeve: Poor service- there is no excuse. And by poor, I mean a server who just doesn't give a rats behind. I'm observant and can tell the difference between an excellent server who is busy as all hell versus a noob versus someone who is just lazy and doesn't care. If you don't care about your tip, why should I?
The second biggest pet peeve (and it is related to the first) waiting for another beverage. My husband and I both like to have a few drinks when we're out, and there is no reason to wait with an empty glass; not only do I want to drink, but *you* the server should want that add-on to the check!!! Alcohol = money!!!
Third: Bratty kids- as someone else mentioned, it's understandable that kids will make noise; babies will shriek, toddlers will fuss while waiting for food... it's normal. However, if your child is throwing a temper tantrum, making a royal mess and being obnoxious, you need to remove your child from the situation and calm them down. If that means a parent has to go hang out in the car while others at the table are eating, deal with it. Everyone else, including the staff, should not have to deal with your kid. The other kid thing- when parents let their kids run loose. Your child belongs in their seat- nowhere else, unless you're walking them to the bathroom.
For me, as a customer, it's really all about the service.... Excellent service can cover a multitude of other 'sins'...0 -
Being referred to as "you guys."
I did NOT sprout a weenie.
This. I always called people ladies or gentlemen. However, one night I was waiting on a couple, and I swear I could not tell if they were male or female for the longest time! I think I went with, "How are you folks doing this evening?" Thank goodness for Southern lingo.0 -
... instead of kissing Lord Picky-Pants' behind?
I now have a new phrase and I do intend to use it.0 -
My #1 is when I hand the server my check and cash and am asked "do you need change?"
How about "I'll be right back with your change," which gives me the option of telling him/her that we're all set.
Why not just ask me if you can keep the change? You're asking for a tip, which is rude.
Disclaimer: I usually tip 20%, but this just sets my teeth on edge.
This is simply a time saver so you don't have to waste time getting change when you could be servicing other tables. Whenever I would ask this, I would do it before I opened the bill and looked at how much was there so I wouldn't seem presumptuous about the tip.
I always trained my staff to say "I'll be right back with this", regardless. Credit cards are not always visible, some people use large bills or travelers checks... by using this statement, you give the customer the opportunity to tell you the change is yours without being presumptuous. It may or may not register with everyone, but there are many (like the person above) who find it tactless.0 -
Loud cell phone patrons. Unless you're a doctor or a nurse manager, put it on vibrate.
I'm a Nurse Manager and on call 24hrs a day, please can I keep mine on???:huh:
Cheerfully amended.0 -
Kids running around screaming, how am I supposed to enjoy my burger with egg and bacon on it if kids are screaming and balloons are popping0
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Another thing that burns my beans.. I clean my plate and the server says something like, "Wow, you didn't like that at all, huh?" I get that he or she is trying to be funny, but you really just made me feel like a fat-a**. Please, just take my plate and bring me the dessert menu because, yes, I do stil have room.0
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Kids running around screaming, how am I supposed to enjoy my burger with egg and bacon on it if kids are screaming and balloons are popping
Red Robin?0 -
Kids running around screaming, how am I supposed to enjoy my burger with egg and bacon on it if kids are screaming and balloons are popping
I have found that it is usually a good idea to ring the kids food in a little bit ahead of time of the adults' food, especially if they are small children. That way, the kids are happy and settled, and the adults can enjoy their meal by the time it comes out. So many parents have expressed to me how much they appreciate this move.0 -
I hate when I go on a date with a bad tipper. I know it is emasculating to the guy if he catches me, but I will sneak back and add some extra cash to the tip. I used to serve and bartend, so I feel their pain.
I thought I was the only one lol. I tip on top of guys I'm on a date with if they suck at tipping and I pretty much always have to tip on top of my family. My mom is a firm believer that a dollar is adequate for 4 people. I guess her almost being 70 is part of the reason.0 -
Another thing that burns my beans.. I clean my plate and the server says something like, "Wow, you didn't like that at all, huh?" I get that he or she is trying to be funny, but you really just made me feel like a fat-a**. Please, just take my plate and bring me the dessert menu because, yes, I do stil have room.
My dad always makes this typical corny dad joke when we go out to dinner. I keep telling him that servers hear that a billion times per day. lol.0 -
When people you go with get annoyed with the food and try to take it out on the waitress by not tipping her. I have a group of friends that won't tip the waitress if they are unhappy with their meals...I'm not down for that. It's not their fault that the food is not to your liking. I understand maybe if the service isn't great - but either way, you should always tip!
On the floor, this used to piss me off. You tip on the service, not the food! Your entree price was the cost of the food, the cook etc... if you have a real problem with the food, you take it up with the manager. You don't take out your frustration on the server. It's like shooting the messenger.0 -
As a patron - Watching the way some people eat really grosses me out. Shoveling it in, chewing with their mouth open...gross. It's like watching someone poop in reverse. :noway:
And people who eat and scrape their teeth on the the fork. It's ALL I can hear when someone is doing that - like finger nails on a chalk board. I can't stand it.
OMG! I never thought of it this way!
And people do that with their forks??? WTH?? Obviously no one taught them manners. ICk!0 -
I love that little tortoise eating the strawberry0
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As a patron - Watching the way some people eat really grosses me out. Shoveling it in, chewing with their mouth open...gross. It's like watching someone poop in reverse. :noway:
And people who eat and scrape their teeth on the the fork. It's ALL I can hear when someone is doing that - like finger nails on a chalk board. I can't stand it.
OMG! I never thought of it this way!
And people do that with their forks??? WTH?? Obviously no one taught them manners. ICk!
Haha, also people who blow their noses at the table...I can't. So gross!0 -
Restaurants automatically adding 18%-20% on top of my bill. If I want to tip more or less, that is my business. Otherwise, charge more for your product and pay your staff accordingly.
Tips are not taxes or a convenience fee, and it should not be my job as a customer to pay your staff! Many a waitress has made less in tips from me due to the fact that the tip was already added to the bill and my bill was $10-$15. You likely would have received $4-$5 instead of $2-$3... When tips are added on top, I don't bother with more unless the service is remarkable...
A gratuity is ordinarily only added to large parties (and the thought process behind it is, they often split the bill into separate checks, and it's easy to end up getting jipped) but I have experienced servers (and had a girl who did this- she didn't last long in my establishment) who would throw a grat on a smaller table to ensure her 18%.... in my experience, servers who do that are not good at their job, and they know it. If their manager doesn't know it, they're not very good at their job either!
At my restaurant, we did have a disclaimer at the bottom of each page of the menu stating that a gratuity may be added to parties of eight or more- at the server's discretion. I had the wonderful experience of waiting on a party of eight where the woman asked me if I intended on adding a gratuity, becuase if I were, they wouldn't stay, as a gratuity means there's no incentive to do a good job. I explained to her that this is my restaurant and it is in my best interests to give excellent service regardless the tip. They were a demanding table, and she left exactly 15%, right down to the penny. Might I add, the vast majority of the time, my staff did not use the gratuity feature; they were willing to chance it for that extra 2+ percent... and they were usually smart to do so.
ETA: OP, you've got me all sorts of riled up and missing the business!!! Thanks! :grumble:0 -
Kids running around screaming, how am I supposed to enjoy my burger with egg and bacon on it if kids are screaming and balloons are popping
I have found that it is usually a good idea to ring the kids food in a little bit ahead of time of the adults' food, especially if they are small children. That way, the kids are happy and settled, and the adults can enjoy their meal by the time it comes out. So many parents have expressed to me how much they appreciate this move.
I used to do that as well when I waited tables0 -
Kids running around screaming, how am I supposed to enjoy my burger with egg and bacon on it if kids are screaming and balloons are popping
Red Robin?
Yup0 -
A wobbly table. Its a freaken circus eating with one.0
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Kids running around screaming, how am I supposed to enjoy my burger with egg and bacon on it if kids are screaming and balloons are popping
Red Robin?
Yup
People straight up do not watch their kids there. I've had kids riun right into my legs and when I looked around I couldn't see a parent. When that happens wherever I happen to be I will loudly say "Oooh, free kid!"0
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