We may serve you

[Archer]

Yeah, but sometimes people don't have the most understandable voice or speech habits.

[Taters]

Sometimes I feel bit guilty when the person serving me does something wrong. Like if I ask for a burger with no cheese and they give me one with cheese because they took down my order wrong. I know I shouldn't feel guilty for asking to change it, it is what I'm paying for but I still feel like a hassle. And what if they get in trouble with their superiors because of my complaint? I'd feel terrible of that happened. I just hope the person serving me doesn't think I'm a dick because of it.

I know that feel, Kerr.

On a related semi-controversial note, if you're going to work in the service industry, please at least learn enough english to understand the customers. Once ordered a drink in a Dunkin Donuts and the cashier had to ask someone what I was asking for. Mind, that particular place was owned by a Brazilian guy who gave jobs to newly arrived Brazilian immigrants, which, frankly, is nice, but shouldn't be the modus operandi for a place like that. It was sometimes like walking into a foreign country; nothing but Portuguese conversations flying around. ._. [/rant]

[Musicman247]

@Archer: a waiter should be allowed to say, "I'm sorry, I didn't understand that, could you repeat it" instead of jotting down what they think they heard.

@Taters: Bring a picture menu with you and just point next time.

A sign you've been working somewhere too long: you know what the total will be before you ring it up. That happened to me on many occasions working drive-through. Someone asks for a number 1 and a number one is always the same price, so it just sticks in your head.

[Ebony Dragon]

I know that feel. Summer job part-time at a regional shopping mart chain.
You always remember: Bananas are #4011, and J is General Goods.

[Dohva.]

@Archer: a waiter should be allowed to say, "I'm sorry, I didn't understand that, could you repeat it" instead of jotting down what they think they heard.

Sometimes we put the wrong thing into the computer, and other times people order the wrong thing. I always read my orders back to the table before I go about my merry way, and make eye contact, so that we're all on the same page. And I still [&@%!] it up but those things are easy to fix. Unless its busy, then expect a rightful ass chewing by the boss.

[scribbane]

Someone tried to rob me once, but its amazing how little foresight they had trying to rob a place where the employees have access to literally dozens of baseball bats. Needless to say they failed in the attempted robbery.

[Dark Lord Cam]

There was this guy the other day who tried to rob a gun store with a knife. He lost.

[unokitsune]

There was this guy the other day who tried to rob a gun store with a knife. He lost.

Not many people have common sense...

[MARS]

@Kestral: Tips are definitely a thing, just not the same way it's done in the US, like Veck said. That doesn't count Greece because people here are mostly dicks (also poor, but mostly just not overly interested in being nice) and I rarely get tips. In Germany most people leave tips. However, it's not a percentage thing like it's in the US. You just leave whatever you feel like leaving. Usually not a huge amount. Most people just go for whatever amount rounds the bill, for example if your bill were to be $47 you'd leave 50 and let the waiter know the change is theirs. It doesn't sound like much, but if everyone does it, it piles up. Wages for waiters are generally higher in Europe too, so it's not crucial to their well-being to get tipped. If I were to work full-time in Greece (8-10 hours a day 5-6 days a week) I'd make around 1300 Euro a month, so around $1740. Not a lot, but enough to get by.


I hate it when customers come in, sit down, and immediately start glancing over their shoulders to look for me. It really rustles my jimmies. I'm coming, asswipe, don't be impatient. I also hate it when people don't greet and just start barking their order. Rude! You can expect mediocre service every time you come here from now on.

[Dohva.]

When people are on their phones or too busy conversing with one another to acknowledge the fact I'm standing there ready to take their drink/food order, I'll walk away and let them sit there for a while.

The percentage doesn't mean diddly squat aside from social pressure--people still leave what they want. Most people are generous. The restaurant I work at caters mostly to rich people so our tabs are high and tips are great. I make better money waiting tables than I did when I worked for the state doing Biology work.

But then there's cheap, angry ones that don't leave me a dime. Like the time I cut off a table because they had too much to drink. Their tab was over $300 when another drunk woman joined them and I refused to serve them. Alaska is super strict on alcohol laws and I could lose my job serving someone until they are wasted...or serving someone already wasted. The guy handling the tab cussed me out and didn't leave me a cent. That's ok. I got my revenge later.

[Derp53]

Did you ever get the angry fat guy who curses you out because he wants extra beef on his sandwich? I got that when I worked at Quiznos over the summer last year, fat guy though that he knew how to make a sandwich after cursing and screaming. He didn't even eat the bloody thing. He called me a piece of [&@%!] and walked out.

[Dohva.]

Wow. Yeah, that's a rarity and it used to happen to me when I was much younger for whatever reason. I have a chip on my shoulder now having been in the industry for so long that I don't take crap. If people are rude, I deal with it in a professional manner...and that could mean anything.

[Taters]

Here's one: why do servers ask if this is my first time there? Does the answer really make a difference?

[Archer]

Small talk. It's supposed to make you feel more welcome and comfortable. Though if you ask me, is kinda creepy.

[p-sto]

Sometimes servers just like to make small talk. Other times a friendly server may offer some recommendations for people who aren't familiar with the establishment. Generally speaking I enjoy friendly banter with wait staff.

[Taters]

It's a bit silly, sometimes, though, when you think about it. If the server, say, says the porterhouse is fantastic, does that mean everything else is terrible?

[Dohva.]

I banter with my customers all the time, but it irritates me when people say "What's good? This is my first time here!"

Really? Oh great! So...should I be on my best behavior? LOL

I love chatting with my customers but I don't force it. This is where being keen to people's energy comes in. Has to happen naturally otherwise it does seem creepy. And there goes my tip.

Jedi: Come sit in my section any day, we'll have fun. I only chat if there's time or if it feels natural. Not to get extra cash...cuz the service itself should be all of that.

[p-sto]

I've had situations before where I mentioned I was considering ordering something and the server told me that it wasn't really that great and offered an alternative suggestion. I was appreciative of the thought.

[SM-Dreamer]

Worked at a fast food place. Long line in the drive thru, woman said she did not want her burger hot (...I'm fairly sure she meant not to microwave it, but still...). It's not something I can enter onto the computer, but I called it back anyways. Well, by the time we'd gotten to her order, we'd had to put new meat patties on the broiler, so they were all hot and fresh. Gave her her food, she opens it, then shoves it back towards my face demanding to know if I could tell what was wrong. I didn't, because it looked fine to me, and she complained that it was hot. "...Yes ma'am, I see that..." and then she wanted her money back because we'd messed up her order. I explained that all the burgers were hot, she could wait a bit for them to cool, but we couldn't exactly freeze the damn things, now can we? (well, theoretically...) She said I was being rude, and for that and her 'inconvenience' she wanted her money back AND an order of free fries. "...We can't do that, ma'am, we can do one or the other, but not both..." and she balled up the burger and THREW it at me. I dodged and it went flying by the front counter (customers actually leaned over going WTF?) My manager, standing by the whole time, pushed me aside, got her money, and threw it back at her and told her to GTFO of his drive-thru before he called the cops. Good side: All customers in the store at the time were afterwards REALLY nice to us

Another one: several college kids in daddy's truck with daddy's boat pull in for breakfast, on their way to the ocean. They order $30-40 worth of food, none of which we are prepared for (mornings usually were slow). We asked them to pull forward off to the side so we can get to the customers behind them. They do, but for some reason decide to try and do a U-turn into a parking space. Unfortunately, the overhang has a brick pillar holding it up, and, well, they didn't know what they were doing and banged their vehicle into it. Manager immediately went out to see if everyone was ok and whether they needed anything, they didn't. We got their food to them, and tried to get back to business (while they were mostly blocking the exit, too). Daddy shows up screaming about his truck, and they suddenly point fingers that it was OUR fault for telling them to park there. O.o

Shame I don't remember the good stories; all the bad ones stick out instead.

[Dark Spark]

Worked at a fast food place. Long line in the drive thru, woman said she did not want her burger hot (...I'm fairly sure she meant not to microwave it, but still...). It's not something I can enter onto the computer, but I called it back anyways. Well, by the time we'd gotten to her order, we'd had to put new meat patties on the broiler, so they were all hot and fresh. Gave her her food, she opens it, then shoves it back towards my face demanding to know if I could tell what was wrong. I didn't, because it looked fine to me, and she complained that it was hot. "...Yes ma'am, I see that..." and then she wanted her money back because we'd messed up her order. I explained that all the burgers were hot, she could wait a bit for them to cool, but we couldn't exactly freeze the damn things, now can we? (well, theoretically...) She said I was being rude, and for that and her 'inconvenience' she wanted her money back AND an order of free fries. "...We can't do that, ma'am, we can do one or the other, but not both..." and she balled up the burger and THREW it at me. I dodged and it went flying by the front counter (customers actually leaned over going WTF?) My manager, standing by the whole time, pushed me aside, got her money, and threw it back at her and told her to GTFO of his drive-thru before he called the cops. Good side: All customers in the store at the time were afterwards REALLY nice to us

It's more common than you know. Some customers will come in and make a large order of individual items a la carte, with specific instructions on each item (hold this, extra that). Are they gourmands looking for the ideal match of savor and mouthfeel for the ultimate dining experience? (Hint: "We sell burgers, ma'am. And the lettuce is shredded, not hand-leafed...")

No. What they're doing is trying to trip you up. Because if you make one mistake and dare serve those fries with the Lawry's seasoning on, they have that chance to express their indignation in the hopes of getting the food at a discount or for free.

Have you anyone ever tried to pay with rolls of quarters? And object when you unwrap said rolls to do a count? And you find out that several of them come up short?

Luckily for me, those folks weren't trying to pass off steel slugs or whatnot. That would have been a hassle of paperwork.

[SM-Dreamer]

Anyone ever tried to pay with rolls of quarters? And object when you unwrap said rolls to do a count? And you find out that several of them come up short?

Luckily for me, those folks weren't trying to pass off steel slugs or whatnot. That would have been a hassle of paperwork.

I'm kind of ashamed to say I never thought to double check the roll, unless it didn't feel full/right. I have had people pay with over $10 in change, none of it quarters. And with wet money. And it wasn't water. Milk, I think. From a diaper bag. At least I'm hoping it was milk.

[Dark Spark]

Loose change dropped on the counter is fine. Work a till for any amount of time and you'll learn how to get real quick in counting loose change (four fingers to a hand means four coins at every pull). Hand-rolled coins in paper without a bank stamp is where you can get tricked. I think that's why there's been a transition to clear plastic.

[SM-Dreamer]

Oh I could count it without a problem, it was more the customers behind that person being especially annoyed that I bothered to count it. Because of course I'm going to take their word that it's the correct amount.

[skullclutter]

Here's one: why do servers ask if this is my first time there? Does the answer really make a difference?

I usually get asked that at restaurants with some kind of gimmick (or a buffet or something) - the wait staff take that as their cue to explain how things work for the first timers.

[MARS]

When someone walks in like they own the damn place, move [&@%!] around, give their order in a [censored] and hard to understand way. It rustles my jimmies.

You come here acting like that and you expect me to treat you nicely? Smoke my big fat pole, dick.