Inside the Server's Head

This is addressed to all who have dined out- at a restaurant, at a bar, at a club, at any place that serves food; yes, even the side walk hot dog stand... this goes out to you.


- A 5 dollar tip does not work on $40, $50, $60, or higher bills. We have to make a living off of your tips.
- Open your eyes. Is your server running around like a chicken with its' head cut off? Do not ask for a 4th refill of Diet Pepsi.
- Have kids? Unless you plan on tipping more, clean up after your rugrats.
- Your meat is under-cooked. Your server did not cook it. So do not get mad at them for it.
- The ghetto, booty music playing in the background is set at a standard level. Deal with it.
- Parties of 6 or more are hard to deal with. That's 6 different drinks, 6 different meals, refills, napkins, and silverware. Relax, and enjoy the company of your friends. The patience will be much appreciated.
- Everyone has feelings. Yesterday might have been a good one, but today might really, really suck. Use good judgement.
- Us 18 year-olds can't drink yet. Don't get frustrated when we can't tell you whats in a Fuzzy Naval.
- We can't remember everything. Just kindly remind us.
- Picky eater? Go eat at home.
- If you come in upset, angry, or frustrated, we can tell. No one likes to deal with someone like that so at least fake being happy like we have to.
- If you didn't serve as a young adult, understand this- we have 4-5 tables at a time, we get all the drinks, all the meals, deal with tricky computers, run back and forth between tables, sing birthday songs, help out other servers, clean tables, carry heavy items, and do special side work (such as restocking ice, cups, and dressings to rolling silverware to washing dishes) We deserve a FAIR tip.


Now, if your server really is terrible, i.e. spits in your food (never happens), yells at you, forgets about you for over 10 minutes, drops your soup in your wives' lap, smells like pot, alcohol, or other drugs, then by all means, consult a manager and get their butt fired. They don't deserve the job anyway.


I'll leave you with this last note- you don't know the work someone does until you have done it yourself.