15 Annoying Things You're Doing At Restaurants, According To Servers
Working in a restaurant has its perks - free food, flexible hours, cash tips - but nothing can quite make up for the wrath of the horrible customer. If you've worked in the industry, you know which behaviors to avoid. If not, here's your guide.
You don't read the menu.
"I hate it when a customer orders something without reading the full description in the menu. Then when the food comes out, its suddenly my fault for assuming they read the menu and they end up sending it back." – Butter_Jugs
You're two-faced.
"Passive-aggressive comments. Like when you are with another table and they announce loudly about how they can't believe you didn't give them enough gravy or how salty something is but when you go to fix it they act like it's no big deal. You can call me over and I can help you, but don't be an ass." – Normand1992
You don't use your words.
"I had a guy tug on my apron string to get my attention while I was taking an order at the next table." – DaisyLayz
You overstay your welcome.
"Camping when it's slammed. I'm glad you like the ambiance enough to want to hang out, but after you've received your service and paid your bill, please be courteous to the next customers, the business, and your server by leaving so the table can turn." – dogshine
You make more work for them.
"Crumble up the straw paper into tiny balls and hide them behind the condiments." – Oh_Heyroh
You ignore them.
"Ignore me when I walk up to your table to greet you/take your order. I shouldn't have to stand there quietly for 30 seconds while you continue your conversation. My time is limited, I have six other tables, and if you slow down the process, everybody (including you) will have some timing issues with meals." – hoewithoutcause
You interrupt.
"I greet every table the same way. 'Hi, how's everyone my name is etc.' It takes maybe 5 seconds. I HATE when people don't even let me get my name out with 'I WANT WATER AND A BURGER.' I'm going to be taking care of you for your meal; You don't even care enough to know my name? Also, it's just plain rude." – photogenicusername
You don't make an effort to help.
"I worked as a banquet server for some time. I found that one of the major annoyances for me was when people would not move their arms/napkin/belongings out of my way so that I could place the plate down in front of them. I always had two or more plates in my hands when I arrived at the table, and often it was extremely hot, and they'd just blankly stare at me or ignore my polite requests to move it." – zombrainss
You try to do their job.
"Don't stack your own plates and don't stuff things in your glassware. Things get stuck in the glasses and no one wants to dig it out. Stacking plates isn't helpful because we have specific ways of clearing plates and carrying them away, and it's super awkward to just carry a big pile. Also, guests never actually stack them in a way that is efficient to carry. Just leave them in front of you." – swedishberry
You're a rude tipper.
"I had a guy put a $20 on the table when I came to greet him and his wife and say, 'This is your tip. However, every time you do something wrong, I will remove a dollar.' I thought he was joking, so I chuckled and asked, 'like what?' He takes the $20 off the table and replaces it with exactly $19. Who carries enough bills to do that? He responds with: "like that'." – MissJoey
You cause an inconvenience.
"The entire restaurant can be empty, clean, and spotless, and if there is ONE dirty table, somebody will ask to sit at it." – chemicalblast
You try to go behind their backs.
"So many, but lately my favorite is when customers tell me, 'Oh, well, that's the way I've been getting it every time before. The OTHER waitress always smiles and says it's okay.' Ugghhh." – beauxreve
You try to get a meal for free.
"The people that complain just to get stuff taken off their bill. If more than 50 percent of a meal has been eaten and they did not send it back to the kitchen, it should not be comped! Doing so only encourages the behavior!" – aflorenti01
You forget you're in public.
"I bartend at a hotel restaurant. We had a family staying for a few days, (a couple in their late 20s, early 30s, a few friends, and their collective offspring). The adults order round after round of long islands one evening, letting their children run (there is a special place in hell for folks that let their kids do this) ... then proceeded to change an infant's diaper on the table. THE TABLE. With other guests around trying to enjoy their dinner. This happened two nights in a row. Facepalm." – randisue
You think they're trying to steal your man.
"As a female, I hate when a couple comes in and I can feel the female's eyes burning holes into my skin while I get the male's order." – mommabeave
"Personally, as a female waitress, when any female/male couple comes in, I pay more attention to the female for less drama. One day a couple comes in - both early 20s - they sit across from each other, and I'm pretty sure it's their first date. While I'm talking, I am looking at the girl, unless specifically asking the guy something. Not once since she has been seated does she look at me. When they're leaving I hear her say, 'Well, that was rude. I'm pretty sure our waitress didn't even speak to me once, she was talking to you the whole time'." – Oh_Becky
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