Restaurant pet peeves

[LilyWDW]

Yes, but don't you think that if it took them 10 minutes to come back and tell you, then they probably just found out themselves?

Don't you know the server is supposed to be psychic?

I think with a lot of these things, the servers are in a no-win situation. They've got to do these chores SOMETIME. And if the restaurant is always busy, then what? Then someone else will say "they didn't even sweep the floor and there were crumbs under our table", if they have to wait a while after their meal is finished "why did I have to wait so long for the check" My friend is a waitress...she says that people complain either way.

It is a no win situation. Most of the things on here wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[worm761]

They make money by tips. They aren't trying to piss you off, honest.

Honestly, they should not ask for their tip. EVER! And if they do, I tell them yes. They can keep the crappy change for a tip instead of the nice big one I was going to give. I have worked restaurants most of my adult life. Most of my family has been a waiter or waitress at some point in time. It just isn't appropriate to ask for your tip.

 

[marcyinPA]

Ok- I got one. We just got back a few minutes ago from eating dinner at Applebee's (which I HATE, but my kids like ). Pet peeve? How about being seated, and then ignored for 17 minutes?

It wasn't even busy tonight! I was ready to get up and leave, when our server kind of approached us as an afterthought (like he didn't know we were his table), and I told him we were ready to order. He was like "can I get you drinks?" and I was like "No, you can get us food." Yeah, I was a little annoyed- but I said it with a smile.

 

[shoney]

Problem is, with every pet peeve listed here, someone else has the exact opposite pet peeve. These poor servers can't win. Bring a check to early, someone else says they hate to wait. Someone orders another drink and they take the first one away before the person finishes it, someone else gets mad because the waiter doesn't clear off the other glass. someone here (from another similar thread) gets made because the server clears dishes, someone else gets mad when they don't.

I should have been more clear. I am talking about wine (@10 to 12 a glass) or beer (@6 to 8 a glass)...that inch or 2 in a glass is $$$...I would like to finish it

If you are at a place w/ free refills of soda, who gives a @#$@! But when I am paying $$$ for it, I think they should leave it there.

Then again maybe I'm being cheap, but it is still MY pet peeve

 

[mamacatnv]

Kids allowed to run wild
Kids peering over the back of a booth
Screaming kids/babies that are allowed to keep screaming

Foul mouthed conversation that I can clearly overhear

A couple playing tongue hockey in my line of vision (this really happened, it was just obnoxious)

Not checking the order before bringing it to make sure it is the way it was requested and not keeping our water glasses filled.

 

[happygirl]

People who blow there nose at the table, it makes me one puke. As a server no one wants to clean up your snot rags

 

[njmom47]

Sweeping by my table while I'm eating is a big one with me, as is my server wearing perfume!!! I want to smell the food not your stinkin perfume! (Seriously...that did happen to us!)

 

[dyna]

All of the above and trying to seat a party of 5 at a table for 4. Putting that chair at the end of table where it is in the walkway an all the waitstaff having to try not to keep bumping the person on the end alson with every person in the area coming an going.

Being left waiting for refills on drinks for 5 or 10 mins while I'm eating really needing a drink an my food getting cold because I can't eat till I get a drink.

Being seated by a young child that is not enjoying the dining experince.

Gathering all the waitstaff up for that Happy Birthday or whatever when the resturant is overly busy.

I think resturants should take reservations for large parties of 6 or more esp at busy times maybe limit those huge parties of 10 or more to 1 at a time. Nothing like waiting because the resturant suddenly had couple huge parties show up at the same time. I've seen whole families of 20 or 30 show up at 6:30 pm on Saturday night then expect to be seated together. They got there 5 mins befor me so therefore get seated 1st. Which is another reason we try to eat before it gets crowded.

DH an I really try to eat out at unbusy times. We are retired on fixed income we do not eat out very often when we do we want a good experince.

 

[Ceila]

They make money by tips. They aren't trying to piss you off, honest.

That is painfully obvious, and I never said that they are trying to upset their customers on purpose. Given the frequency of how often it happens, my best guess is that they are ignorant of how poorly they come across.

 

[lovin'fl]

Something I noticed last night when I ran to get fast food for us. I went to a BK that was pretty deserted and, for some reason, a guy with rubber gloves on came outside to talk to another worker. He opened the door and came outside and then opened the door as I walked up and we both went in at the same time. He then went behind the counter and immediately began scooping and bagging up some orders of fries with the same gloves on. I have seen this kind of thing at many fast food places, like Subway and Chipotle, where they touch non-clean/non-food things with their gloves on and don't change them out and then touch the food. Ick...

 

[usnuzuloose]

We went out to dinner one evening, there were 8 of us. The waitress was new, she took our order, after over an hour we were watch other patrons receive their meals, and we still had not. Someone got up and went to find out what the problem was, come to find out the order was never put in. The waitress never came back to apologize, and they said here is free dessert. No one got a tip that night.

 

[stargazer2892]

When servers put HOT plates/food directly in front of my very active 8 month old. I understand that not everyone has kids and realizes how far those little hands can reach but I've actually had a server put my plate directly in front of him while telling me not to touch the plate it's hot.
My other one is when we order coffee at breakfast and it's cold and burnt at the same time. They know how old the coffee is or if they don't I would rather them tell me it's going to be a few minutes they are brewing a new pot. Once it was so bad we asked for a new pot when she rolled her eyes and poured us the exact same stuff we asked for the manger so he could take it off the bill.

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

Sweeping by my table while I'm eating is a big one with me, as is my server wearing perfume!!! I want to smell the food not your stinkin perfume! (Seriously...that did happen to us!)

Oh my goodness, we were at a bob Evans in North Carolina once where the waitress had on such and abundance of perfume that we could literally taste it on our food. I can nearly smell it now just thinking about it.

 

[Fortuosity]

Customers. Alas, they are necessary evils.

 

[lorimay]

Something I noticed last night when I ran to get fast food for us. I went to a BK that was pretty deserted and, for some reason, a guy with rubber gloves on came outside to talk to another worker. He opened the door and came outside and then opened the door as I walked up and we both went in at the same time. He then went behind the counter and immediately began scooping and bagging up some orders of fries with the same gloves on. I have seen this kind of thing at many fast food places, like Subway and Chipotle, where they touch non-clean/non-food things with their gloves on and don't change them out and then touch the food. Ick...

Publix grocery store makes subs at their deli while you wait and one time I was there with my brother-in-law and the girl walks up to the counter with her gloves already on and wipes the counter with the dirty reusable cloth and asks what we want. He says the first thing I want is for you to change those gloves.
I was so happy he said it cause I was grossed out. She looked at him surprised too. No sense.

 

[MIGrandma]

Customers. Alas, they are necessary evils.

Yeah, some of them are real doozies, aren't they?

 

[mhsjax]

I should have been more clear. I am talking about wine (@10 to 12 a glass) or beer (@6 to 8 a glass)...that inch or 2 in a glass is $$$...I would like to finish it

If you are at a place w/ free refills of soda, who gives a @#$@! But when I am paying $$$ for it, I think they should leave it there.

Then again maybe I'm being cheap, but it is still MY pet peeve

You know, I thought about that right after I posted. And oh yeah, don't touch my alcohol until I have every last drop. I usually get margaritas, it may look like all ice to them, but I sure I can get another swig out of it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

People who blow there nose at the table, it makes me one puke. As a server no one wants to clean up your snot rags

OMG YES! This is the one thing that grosses me out most of all. Nasty. Go to the bathroom and blow your nose. BLEH! Gross!

That is painfully obvious, and I never said that they are trying to upset their customers on purpose. Given the frequency of how often it happens, my best guess is that they are ignorant of how poorly they come across.

Yes I totally agree with you. I dont like that either.

~~~~

While at mcd's one time ages ago, it was dead, and i saw the employee at the back of the restaurant blowing her nose. She comes up to take my order, when she asks 'will there be anything else', i tell her "yes, before you handle my food i'd like you to wash your hands please". She says "of course!!", like thats what she had intended to do all along. Ya right! Had i not said anything, i doubt she was going to wash her hands. If she intended on it, she would have washed it BEFORE coming to the cash register and taking my order. NASTY!

 

[dogluva]

They make money by tips. They aren't trying to piss you off, honest.

I know really, I think some people should stay home and cook for themselves if they have so many problems with the waitstaff.

I was a waitress from 16 to 23 and it was by far the hardest job. Most guests were nice but there were those that treated you like a servant and were so rude. Does a number on your self esteem. Every night I was demoralized. However, the money was the only way I could get through college with a young son (the hours were compatible with my husband's job). When I got a job as a teacher, I vowed I would NEVER waitress again (as God is my witness). Reading these silly pet peeves makes me relive my waitressing days and I am sooooo glad I don't ever have to work as a waitress again.

Oh, and if you think it if for dummies, think again. It was by far the hardest job. You have to have time management skills, patience, math skills, and a million other talents. So those that think it is okay to abuse the waitstaff, remember what goes around comes around.


My mother waitressed along side of me at times and it was so hard watching my mother being abused and disrespected by guests. Remember when you are at a restaurant, the waitstaff is someone's mother, sister, brother, son, or ever grandparent. Treat them with a respect. Thanks, vent over.

 

[Bob NC]

I can't stand it when there are 4 or 6 of us at a restaurant and the waitperson doesn't write our order down.

It seems like every.single.time. this happens there is a mistake on someones order.