When Grandma Leaves the Kitchen

Getting older isn’t usually fun. Who wouldn’t be cranky with constant back pain, a cane or walker to get across the room, or a hearing aide that isn’t loud enough? We all have those days when we want to just skip the hospitalities and just get to the point of the conversation. We all have those moments when we want to snap on someone even when they don’t deserve it. Unfortunately, most of the elderly patrons that we deal with are having one of those days.

This isn’t a post meant to complain about grandpa at table 5 with the fries that are just too salty or Aunt Ida at the host stand who is demanding the heat be turned up in the already 90 degree restaurant. This post is meant to provide a little advice for dealing with grandpa and Aunt Ida because I’d be the first one to tell you that waiting on a cranky patron is almost as bad as throwing yourself in front of a truck. Fortunately, it doesn’t need to be that bad.

Frankly, many elderly patrons live on a very budgeted income. Many feel as though $5 is a standard tip for everything. However, this tipping standard can be broken and you can still try to make the hour or so that they are in your section less painful.

Politeness is always key. Try to imagine that you’re selling yourself to Aunt Ida because she has a great grandson that she’d love for you to date. Making a great first impression to a “future in-law” is always of utmost importance and it helps dear Aunt Ida to remember that you are an actual person and not a robot that brings her coffee.

As many servers know, hungry customers are like fiery dragons. They often forget that food needs time to cook and their servers are not the cooks. Instead of letting them sit there and simmer in a cranky, hungry void, keep them updated on the status of their meals. For example, “Ladies, you’re food will be up in a few more minutes. Our chef is taking them out of the broiler now.” Try to put them on an imaginary ride through the kitchen so they can “see” their food cook. This way they can see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that you (or the real cook) did not forget about their precious burger.

One last tip: speak up. Many elderly folks are hard of hearing. You may feel as though you’re yelling but they would greatly appreciate it.

Be sure to log in for my next post about the great tipping difference between lunch and dinner.