Every Server's Top 10 List of Annoying Things Customers Do Cont'd.

Remember that Top 10 List of Annoying Customer Habits?

(1) Customers seating themselves.

(2) Customers rearranging the dining room.

(3) Customers being crappy tippers.

(4) Customers asking for separate checks AFTER their meal.

(5) Customers acting like pigs.

 Here’s the rest:

(6) Customers complaining just for a free meal.

This is tacky and disgusting on every level. I once had a woman bring crushed glass in a zip-lock bag and put it in her tuna fish sandwich. She brought this to my attention saying that she found glass in her food. There wasn’t any glass anywhere in the kitchen. After she got the meal discounted and left, we discovered the empty zip-lock bag with shards of glass. Of course, I didn’t get a tip for dealing with the little panic she cause the restaurant staff. If you can’t afford it or don’t want to pay for it, then don’t buy it.

(7) Customers being late for reservations.

We may have reservations after you. We may be holding a table and keeping a server from making money waiting for you. Don’t be late for reservations. If you’re going to, give us a call and let us know.

(8) Customers forgetting to bathe.

This is obvious. No one wants to smell someone who has the stench of death. Take a bath.

(9) Customers who don’t watch their kids.

This is a restaurant—not a baby sitter. We’re often running around with hot food, trays, and heavy plates. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tripped over kids wandering around the restaurant, seen kids get hot food spilled on them by accident, or otherwise hurt because their parents let them roam free in the restaurant. Keep your kids with you. You may be having a relaxing meal but the environment is really a dangerous warzone.

(10) Customers who are rude.

It never fails to shock me about how rude some people really are. Many times we will have customers that think that a server is a robot or slave that they can practically spit on. I realize that if we were to see these same people on the street, they would probably not speak to us the way that they do when we are their servers. Just because we don’t say anything when you’re acting like a real ass, doesn’t mean that we’re not ready to knock you out of your chair. Just remember: if and when you do see us on the street and not at our place of income, we’re going to give you back what you dumped on us. :]

Be sure to log in for my next post for a discussion of the horrors and wonders of outside seating.