There are probably about 100 things that drive me crazy about people but I'll stick to the basic ones that seem to happen almost EVERY night. :)
These are my top 5 pet peeves when it comes to serving:
1. "I can't decide between the steak or the salmon. What do you think" REALLY???? These 2 items are nothing alike first of all. I can not tell you what you are going to like more, I DON'T KNOW YOU! Maybe if we were best friends I could say, " you want the steak, duh". Now I'm happy to make a recommendation, but then if you don't take my advice why the heck did you ask me in the first place. UGH. I usually just say we have a wood burning grill so our steaks have a lot flavor... and then they order salmon.
2. People that ask if a certain menu item is good. Okay. This is my job, if I was to say, "no, it sucks" I wouldn't have my job for long. Enough said.
3. When people ask you jokingly about how much tip to leave you. I do not think this is funny. If I did a great job, leave 20+ percent. I really hate when people say, "so how much are you worth?" I just smile and say, "I'm worth at least a million but you can make installments!" Ha Ha.
If you are going to joke about my tip it better dang be worth it!
4. Do you realize that I do not cook the food? I serve it, I don't have any part of the cooking process or the recipe? If your steak is over cooked or under cooked, I will happily take care of the problem but don't act like a jerk about it! Don't all the sudden start taking it out on me like I had anything to do with it!
5. Campers. These are the tables that have a lovely meal and then sit at your table and chat, without ordering anything else, forever. This is really bothersome when a) they are the only table left and you are waiting on them so you can go home and b) it a busy night and now your section is a table smaller. Let me explain that. Typically a server has a 3-4 table section. In order to make the most amount of money we need to "turn" our tables. Meaning, get one table, serve them, and then have it sat again with another table. If we have a table camping then our section just got smaller as that table will probably not get sat after they leave for the rush will be over. What would be nice is if people who want to stay and chat after their meal is over tip accordingly. Although I can say that it rarely ever happens. I know that guests are not intentionally trying to screw us over but it feels that way sometimes when your whole section is done eating and no one is leaving.
So next time you are out with friends or your loved ones think of these things while you are eating as they may very well be the pet peeves of your server too.
