There is always a standard alloted amount of time used to give the customer time to decide what they'd like to eat. I always give my guest a few minutes and check back in on them to see if they're ready. Sometimes if they're not, it gets a little awkward having to come back and check time and again to see if you're THEN ready to order. Mainly because I don't want you to be annoyed by my visits but I ALSO don't want you to think I've forgotten about your table.
Nothing compares to the table however, that is NOT ready but insists that you stay there and wait for them to decide. When asked if they need a few more minutes they say, "No, I THINK we're ready." Then they sit and talk back and forth amongst each other about what they think they're going to order and whether or not they're ready and going back and forth between different meals.
It really isn't the biggest deal if we're dead and they are my only table for me to stand around for 5 minutes for them to decide, but when it's a busy Friday night and someone insists I stay at their table until they decide, it's a huge hassle. Tables are incredibly demanding especially on a Friday night and it's difficult to keep up most times without someone sucking the time out of my evening.
In short, your waiter or waitress WILL make sure that your order is taken if you aren't ready when first asked. So make sure you're ready before you ask them to spend time at your table. ESPECIALLY if the restaurant is busy, as you are NOT their only table.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Cat got your tounge?
There are so many irritating things that happen on a daily working basis that I can blog about. I could probably write an entire novel about what happens as a waitress that would blow your mind. The audacity of people sometimes shocks me, and really it isn't always the customer. One day I'll blog about the other happenings outside of customer problems but today something that is grating my nerves has to do with just that. The customer. Let's face it, most of the issues I do have with my job originate with a family that just wants to go out and have a nice dinner together. I'm not the kind of waitress that will stop by your table every five seconds and bug you, and I'm also not the kind of waitress that goes MIA. I do fancy myself quite good at my meaningless job, giving the ever-popular silent refill, and overall making my presence known as little as possible allowing you to enjoy your evening out. What I hate the most, though is when I need to talk to you and you completely ignore me.
It all starts with an innocent greeting at the table. I tell you my name, I ask how you are and generally a response is necessary to keep the conversation going.
More times than not, however, I am received with the sound of crickets chirping in the distance.
"Hi there, how are you?"
-crickets.-
"Well, I'm fine thanks!"
"Give me a coke."
"Okay. Well, my name is Crystal..."
"She'll have a diet."
"Awesome. Be right back."
I understand that you and I don't really know each other. I get that outside of this restaurant we'll never be friends and unless you come in again and happen to sit in my section, we'll never talk again. What happened to a little bit of respect, though? When I ask you how you are, it is common courtesy to respond with "good," or "well" and then ask me how I am. Not that I am going to break down and tell you exactly what is going on in my life, or that I expect the same thing from you but if you'd like for me to be courteous to you, it would help if you treated me with the same respect. I understand that you don't care how I am, much like I don't really care how you are. It just only makes sense and is out of sheer respect that I ask you and expect a response back.
I'm sure if someone you knew and cared about asked you the same question you wouldn't completely ignore them and move on to another topic. I always wonder what goes on in people's heads when they obviously hear me asking them that question and just choose to ignore it? Do you just absolutely not care at all about being respectful to me? The more I dig into this topic the more it angers me. I have never once disrespected a waitress that way. In my head, if I were ever to ignore someone completely after asking me how I was doing and NOT ask them in return it would be because I didn't like them at all.
I know it seems like something simple to do whenever you're going out to eat but when your waiter or waitress asks you how you are; just say GREAT! and then ask them how they're doing. Sure, if they're crappy they won't tell you and either way you'll ALWAYS get the same answer, but it's just courteous. Treat other people how you would want to be treated. It's as simple as that.
It all starts with an innocent greeting at the table. I tell you my name, I ask how you are and generally a response is necessary to keep the conversation going.
More times than not, however, I am received with the sound of crickets chirping in the distance.
"Hi there, how are you?"
-crickets.-
"Well, I'm fine thanks!"
"Give me a coke."
"Okay. Well, my name is Crystal..."
"She'll have a diet."
"Awesome. Be right back."
I understand that you and I don't really know each other. I get that outside of this restaurant we'll never be friends and unless you come in again and happen to sit in my section, we'll never talk again. What happened to a little bit of respect, though? When I ask you how you are, it is common courtesy to respond with "good," or "well" and then ask me how I am. Not that I am going to break down and tell you exactly what is going on in my life, or that I expect the same thing from you but if you'd like for me to be courteous to you, it would help if you treated me with the same respect. I understand that you don't care how I am, much like I don't really care how you are. It just only makes sense and is out of sheer respect that I ask you and expect a response back.
I'm sure if someone you knew and cared about asked you the same question you wouldn't completely ignore them and move on to another topic. I always wonder what goes on in people's heads when they obviously hear me asking them that question and just choose to ignore it? Do you just absolutely not care at all about being respectful to me? The more I dig into this topic the more it angers me. I have never once disrespected a waitress that way. In my head, if I were ever to ignore someone completely after asking me how I was doing and NOT ask them in return it would be because I didn't like them at all.
I know it seems like something simple to do whenever you're going out to eat but when your waiter or waitress asks you how you are; just say GREAT! and then ask them how they're doing. Sure, if they're crappy they won't tell you and either way you'll ALWAYS get the same answer, but it's just courteous. Treat other people how you would want to be treated. It's as simple as that.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Guzzlers.
Get your mind out of the gutter, readers.
There is nothing that I hate more than a person that guzzles tons of soda, water, tea, whatever at a restaurant. I totally understand if you're thirsty when you come in and immediately slam down a drink for me to refill that you hang on to for the rest of the evening.
Last night I had a family of five come in. Two adults and three children. The kids, mind you, were drinking sodas and sweet tea. The parents didn't really matter, but they were drinking the same. There was one child guzzling Coke like it was going out of style. I kid you not that he probably went through about twenty sodas ALONE while they were there. Not to mention the numerous drinks the parents and other two children went through. It wouldn't be a big deal if we were incredibly slow and they were my only table to keep track of, but at that time I had an 8-top and three other tables. When someone is guzzling like that and you have tons of other tables, it puts you in panic mode. For the record, their drinks never went empty.
My first problem with this, though, is that they let Child #1 go through (I'M NOT KIDDING) about twenty cokes, and Child #2 go through about 7 sweet teas. Child #3, a girl, only had two cokes. I mean, I guess if their children are bouncing off the walls at home later because of that, it's their own problem and I don't have to deal with it. Come on, though! That is so totally bad for them. As a mother myself, I can't imagine letting Brennan go through that much soda! Two tops and then water after that! It's just INSANE!
My second problem is that the family overall was just completely disrespectful. I busted my butt going back and forth to their table and they never said thank you. (Rude!) Then left me a less than desirable tip at the end of the meal.
Case in point: I had just brought a refill to the dad, and would have brought another but at the time the kid that goes through too much soda had a full glass. By the time I got back with a refill he had almost sucked it down. While I was standing right there the kid says, "Dad! I need more COKE!" And sucked it down right there. Also accompanied with a LOUD slurping noise as he finished his glass. I almost punched a kid in that moment.
The parents never said a word to the child about his behavior and it was just appalling that they could disrespect me that way. I realize that waiting tables isn't glamorous, but I'm a human being too and I deserve a bit of respect.
If you think you're a guzzler, do everyone a favor and bring a gallon of your favorite drink. :) Or, warn the waiter in advance. OR, at the VERY least THANK YOUR SERVER and leave them a good tip for busting their butts to keep your drink refilled.
There is nothing that I hate more than a person that guzzles tons of soda, water, tea, whatever at a restaurant. I totally understand if you're thirsty when you come in and immediately slam down a drink for me to refill that you hang on to for the rest of the evening.
Last night I had a family of five come in. Two adults and three children. The kids, mind you, were drinking sodas and sweet tea. The parents didn't really matter, but they were drinking the same. There was one child guzzling Coke like it was going out of style. I kid you not that he probably went through about twenty sodas ALONE while they were there. Not to mention the numerous drinks the parents and other two children went through. It wouldn't be a big deal if we were incredibly slow and they were my only table to keep track of, but at that time I had an 8-top and three other tables. When someone is guzzling like that and you have tons of other tables, it puts you in panic mode. For the record, their drinks never went empty.
My first problem with this, though, is that they let Child #1 go through (I'M NOT KIDDING) about twenty cokes, and Child #2 go through about 7 sweet teas. Child #3, a girl, only had two cokes. I mean, I guess if their children are bouncing off the walls at home later because of that, it's their own problem and I don't have to deal with it. Come on, though! That is so totally bad for them. As a mother myself, I can't imagine letting Brennan go through that much soda! Two tops and then water after that! It's just INSANE!
My second problem is that the family overall was just completely disrespectful. I busted my butt going back and forth to their table and they never said thank you. (Rude!) Then left me a less than desirable tip at the end of the meal.
Case in point: I had just brought a refill to the dad, and would have brought another but at the time the kid that goes through too much soda had a full glass. By the time I got back with a refill he had almost sucked it down. While I was standing right there the kid says, "Dad! I need more COKE!" And sucked it down right there. Also accompanied with a LOUD slurping noise as he finished his glass. I almost punched a kid in that moment.
The parents never said a word to the child about his behavior and it was just appalling that they could disrespect me that way. I realize that waiting tables isn't glamorous, but I'm a human being too and I deserve a bit of respect.
If you think you're a guzzler, do everyone a favor and bring a gallon of your favorite drink. :) Or, warn the waiter in advance. OR, at the VERY least THANK YOUR SERVER and leave them a good tip for busting their butts to keep your drink refilled.
Monday, March 28, 2011
My name is Crystal, and I do not want your man.
"Hi there, my name is Crystal and I'll be blogging for you today."
Waiting tables is a tough job. A lot of people who have never worked in the restaurant industry, let alone actually waited tables have absolutely no idea how unforgiving this career is. Sure, I could always find a new job if I was so upset with the way people treated their servers, but I like the convenience of the hours waiting tables. There are a plethora of different hats I wear on a daily basis. I have to play psychologist, counselor, caregiver, butler, food deliverer, custodian, and your resident doormat. It is a thankless job especially when you walk away virtually empty handed after paying the MANDATORY tip out.
One of the things I despise most about waiting tables is when a self conscious woman and her boyfriend/husband/whatever come in together. This particular woman can even on most occasions be pretty decent looking, there are very few times that the woman is actually dog ugly. It happens too many times to count, though. I walk up to the table and the woman immediately starts giving me the stink eye. You know what I'm talking about if you have actually seen Juno. Yes, it's like I've stolen your prom date and got knocked up by him kind of stink eye. As soon as this woman sees a fellow WOMAN waitress walking towards their table she gets a nasty taste in her mouth. Well, get over it. And here's why:
Let's start with the obvious reason why I am not interested in your boyfriend. I am married. About two years ago I said my vows to the man I am madly in love with. In the end, he will ALWAYS be better than YOUR boyfriend/husband/whatever.
Second, This is my job. I generally don't wait tables and fall in love with the 8,000th man I've seen coming in with his girlfriend. Unless he says, "Chips and salsa, please," just right. There is something about all of those words combined coming out of a mans mouth that just makes me swoon. Or, if he orders a DIET coke, preferably with lime, I find myself ready to run away with him.
Let's really get down to business here though about why I REALLY don't want your man. Generally it's because -gasp!- he is ENTIRELY not my type. Go figure. A woman actually finds herself completely un-attracted to a man. Yes, even if it IS your man.
I don't know, something about him not knowing what a REAL medium-rare steak looks like just rubbed me the wrong way. Or perhaps I really am NOT into a guy that likes a blackberry iced tea. No, that's not it at all. I just don't want YOUR man.
Ladies, listen- I am working to support my family as is most every waitress working today. Sure, there are probably a majority of women that wait tables that are single, but trust me. They all have lives outside of work. They all go back into the kitchen and complain about their boyfriends and completely forget that your boyfriend is sitting out there in the dining area. We don't CARE! If your boyfriend is especially attractive, a single waitress might go into the back and say, "Man, the guy at 34 is so good looking." Trust me when I say that she isn't going to go to extremes to pick him up especially when you're sitting right there across from him.
If a waitress brings your boyfriend another diet coke, IT'S BECAUSE HIS WAS EMPTY! We don't think that bringing him a refill is a start to a fabulous date. So in short, get over it. You're beautiful and your boyfriend is taking YOU out to dinner, not us. Even if he asked, we wouldn't be interested anyway. :)
Waiting tables is a tough job. A lot of people who have never worked in the restaurant industry, let alone actually waited tables have absolutely no idea how unforgiving this career is. Sure, I could always find a new job if I was so upset with the way people treated their servers, but I like the convenience of the hours waiting tables. There are a plethora of different hats I wear on a daily basis. I have to play psychologist, counselor, caregiver, butler, food deliverer, custodian, and your resident doormat. It is a thankless job especially when you walk away virtually empty handed after paying the MANDATORY tip out.
One of the things I despise most about waiting tables is when a self conscious woman and her boyfriend/husband/whatever come in together. This particular woman can even on most occasions be pretty decent looking, there are very few times that the woman is actually dog ugly. It happens too many times to count, though. I walk up to the table and the woman immediately starts giving me the stink eye. You know what I'm talking about if you have actually seen Juno. Yes, it's like I've stolen your prom date and got knocked up by him kind of stink eye. As soon as this woman sees a fellow WOMAN waitress walking towards their table she gets a nasty taste in her mouth. Well, get over it. And here's why:
Let's start with the obvious reason why I am not interested in your boyfriend. I am married. About two years ago I said my vows to the man I am madly in love with. In the end, he will ALWAYS be better than YOUR boyfriend/husband/whatever.
Second, This is my job. I generally don't wait tables and fall in love with the 8,000th man I've seen coming in with his girlfriend. Unless he says, "Chips and salsa, please," just right. There is something about all of those words combined coming out of a mans mouth that just makes me swoon. Or, if he orders a DIET coke, preferably with lime, I find myself ready to run away with him.
Let's really get down to business here though about why I REALLY don't want your man. Generally it's because -gasp!- he is ENTIRELY not my type. Go figure. A woman actually finds herself completely un-attracted to a man. Yes, even if it IS your man.
I don't know, something about him not knowing what a REAL medium-rare steak looks like just rubbed me the wrong way. Or perhaps I really am NOT into a guy that likes a blackberry iced tea. No, that's not it at all. I just don't want YOUR man.
Ladies, listen- I am working to support my family as is most every waitress working today. Sure, there are probably a majority of women that wait tables that are single, but trust me. They all have lives outside of work. They all go back into the kitchen and complain about their boyfriends and completely forget that your boyfriend is sitting out there in the dining area. We don't CARE! If your boyfriend is especially attractive, a single waitress might go into the back and say, "Man, the guy at 34 is so good looking." Trust me when I say that she isn't going to go to extremes to pick him up especially when you're sitting right there across from him.
If a waitress brings your boyfriend another diet coke, IT'S BECAUSE HIS WAS EMPTY! We don't think that bringing him a refill is a start to a fabulous date. So in short, get over it. You're beautiful and your boyfriend is taking YOU out to dinner, not us. Even if he asked, we wouldn't be interested anyway. :)
Monday, March 21, 2011
This couldn't be more true.
When in Doubt, Just Tip Well
In the end, experts say that rather than worrying about whether gratuities should always be left in cash or on a credit card, simply resolve to tip generously. "The servers aren't paid a living wage without tips," says Dan Post Senning of etiquette expertise company the Emily Post Institute. Even cash gratuities may not mean the server is going home with that money in their wallet. A waiter's tip may be divvied up among other restaurant workers -- such as busboys, food runners and sommeliers -- who make the waiter's job easier. At other establishments, all tips may be pooled for the entire staff before being divided among all the employees.
There are plenty of reasons to tip well, but what about when your experience isn't so good? Regardless, Senning says that diners shouldn't leave a tip that's less than 15 percent of the total bill. If a poor experience has you considering a tip below that amount, "you really should be talking to the manager," he says. Rather than penalizing your server, an off night for the restaurant may be to blame.
To make sure interchange fees aren't reducing your credit card gratuities to below 15 percent -- since restaurant and hotel policies vary -- Senning recommends leaving a tip that's no lower than 17 or 18 percent. You can also calculate your tip based on the total bill including tax, rather than the pre-tax amount. "That's another way you can indicate the service has been good, and you appreciate it by bumping up the tip," he says.
Just remember that when it comes to servers, they rely on your tips to earn a living. "The mainstay of income is all that gratuity," says Johnson & Wales instructor Connors
In the end, experts say that rather than worrying about whether gratuities should always be left in cash or on a credit card, simply resolve to tip generously. "The servers aren't paid a living wage without tips," says Dan Post Senning of etiquette expertise company the Emily Post Institute. Even cash gratuities may not mean the server is going home with that money in their wallet. A waiter's tip may be divvied up among other restaurant workers -- such as busboys, food runners and sommeliers -- who make the waiter's job easier. At other establishments, all tips may be pooled for the entire staff before being divided among all the employees.
There are plenty of reasons to tip well, but what about when your experience isn't so good? Regardless, Senning says that diners shouldn't leave a tip that's less than 15 percent of the total bill. If a poor experience has you considering a tip below that amount, "you really should be talking to the manager," he says. Rather than penalizing your server, an off night for the restaurant may be to blame.
To make sure interchange fees aren't reducing your credit card gratuities to below 15 percent -- since restaurant and hotel policies vary -- Senning recommends leaving a tip that's no lower than 17 or 18 percent. You can also calculate your tip based on the total bill including tax, rather than the pre-tax amount. "That's another way you can indicate the service has been good, and you appreciate it by bumping up the tip," he says.
Just remember that when it comes to servers, they rely on your tips to earn a living. "The mainstay of income is all that gratuity," says Johnson & Wales instructor Connors
Monday, February 21, 2011
Dear Brennan,
You woke up from your nap this afternoon smiling. I scooped you up and held you close to my chest and you rested your head on my shoulder. I nearly cried. I thought to myself that it won't be long until I can barely pick you up anymore. I only have a limited amount of time for you to be my baby. My actual teeny tiny little baby. Soon enough you'll start scooting around on the floor and crawling and it will all progress from there. I won't be able to protect you from everything. Soon enough your feet will be bigger than my hands, and you wont explore my face with your hands anymore. Soon enough you'll be too busy getting into everything else that you won't stare into my eyes anymore and smile when I give you kisses. Soon enough, mommy won't be the only thing that amazes you. You'll get into things and you'll learn the lay of the land and you'll be my big boy. My big baby. Sometimes even now you seem annoyed with my kisses, almost like you're saying, "back off mommy! I'm a big boy now!" You'll learn to talk, and walk and live and I won't be able to shelter you from everything. You will get bumps and bruises and you will cry and maybe my touch and hugs wont be enough to soothe you. Someone will break your heart one day and I won't be able to mend it. Just know now that I love you. You can be whatever you want to be. You can love whoever you want to love and I will stand by your side regardless. If you want to be a football player or a ballerina I will be in your corner and never stop cheering you on. Even now as you are looking into my eyes when I'm typing this I see big things for your future. You smile at me as I type those words and I know it's true. You can be whatever you want to be, little guy. Mommy will be there with you every step of the way. Just stop growing so fast, please. I want to snuggle you for a long time. I always want you to look up at me and stare. I always want you to fit perfectly in the crook of my neck, but those days are fading fast.
I love you more than everything. That is ONE thing that will never change.
Love,
Your mother.
You woke up from your nap this afternoon smiling. I scooped you up and held you close to my chest and you rested your head on my shoulder. I nearly cried. I thought to myself that it won't be long until I can barely pick you up anymore. I only have a limited amount of time for you to be my baby. My actual teeny tiny little baby. Soon enough you'll start scooting around on the floor and crawling and it will all progress from there. I won't be able to protect you from everything. Soon enough your feet will be bigger than my hands, and you wont explore my face with your hands anymore. Soon enough you'll be too busy getting into everything else that you won't stare into my eyes anymore and smile when I give you kisses. Soon enough, mommy won't be the only thing that amazes you. You'll get into things and you'll learn the lay of the land and you'll be my big boy. My big baby. Sometimes even now you seem annoyed with my kisses, almost like you're saying, "back off mommy! I'm a big boy now!" You'll learn to talk, and walk and live and I won't be able to shelter you from everything. You will get bumps and bruises and you will cry and maybe my touch and hugs wont be enough to soothe you. Someone will break your heart one day and I won't be able to mend it. Just know now that I love you. You can be whatever you want to be. You can love whoever you want to love and I will stand by your side regardless. If you want to be a football player or a ballerina I will be in your corner and never stop cheering you on. Even now as you are looking into my eyes when I'm typing this I see big things for your future. You smile at me as I type those words and I know it's true. You can be whatever you want to be, little guy. Mommy will be there with you every step of the way. Just stop growing so fast, please. I want to snuggle you for a long time. I always want you to look up at me and stare. I always want you to fit perfectly in the crook of my neck, but those days are fading fast.
I love you more than everything. That is ONE thing that will never change.
Love,
Your mother.
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