I work as a waiter at a popular chain restaurant, a place that goes out of the way to make for a pleasant customer experience. Separate checks? No problem; the system's set up to make that very easy and quick. Special orders, i.e., no mushrooms, no onions, extra cheese, etc...? Also not a problem; we do "mods" all the time. Didn't like the cheese sauce, or were the fries soggy? We'll comp you an appetizer or even a dessert. My employer has been in business for a long time; their food is good, and the ambiance is a few steps above a traditional diner like Shoney's, Denny's, etc. Its' warm, welcoming environment attracts all kinds of people, and the bar scene is usually lively and fun during happy hour.
Unfortunately, my restaurant does indeed attract all kinds of people, including the ones that come in just to get something for free. Management is typically hip to this, and the various ploys such customers use. One particularly hideous ploy is to say "the waiter was rude" (usually after management politely refuses to comp anything), or, "the food took too long to get to us". Such people are willing to jeopardize someone's job just to get a free drink or a a few dollars knocked off the bill. I can usually spot them when I first meet them at the table. It's always their eyes-unfocused, lifeless and dull. Not smiling nor radiating any kind of human emotion, except self-contempt. It's like they are saying: "I see you expressing warm welcoming cheer towards me, but that makes you an idiot because I'm here to rip you off". After seeing many such people and observing their behavior, I've come to recognize the pattern (inappropriately surly, frowning, dead unfocused eyes, even the way they hold their menus). Akin to these people are the customers who resent "having" to tip (tipping is not mandatory nor required by law), and invent all sorts of reasons for stiffing their server. Away from work, I've had conversations with such people. They don't care about any issue here except their total bill. They claim to feel resentment against the social pressures to tip, and refuse to do so out of spite. Fine, I say. Just smile and eat your food, and go home. Come back and see us; we'll serve you. Just stop with the fucking attitude; I have other customers to make up for your refusal to tip and so I really don't care, nor even dislike you for stiffing me.
A few tips for a better dining experience:
- Tell your waiter first thing-before you order-that you will need separate checks. This will save time for you later, and your server will love you for being considerate.
- When your waiter is standing by your table and you're still trying to decide, say "give me a few moments, please".
- Have enough money to pay your bill, call a cab home if necessary, and tip your servers if deserving.
- Leave your problems at home, and immerse yourself in the "dining out" experience.
- Don't make your server go back and forth to get you things-two or three trips are OK, but past that you are stressing your server over the time he's losing to serve his other customers. Just make a list of all that you need, and try to tell him or her at the same time. It's OK if you forget something, but remember your server has other customers to serve.
- Tipping guide: 1.) Service was rude, sloppy and incompetent: no tip. 2.) Service was barely adequate: no tip/10% of bill); 3.) Service was prompt but not very enthusiastic: 12-15% of bill); 3.) service was excellent: 20-25%.
