Restaurant pet peeves

[JennLen]

I have to ask cause I am genuinely curious as someone who has bad allergies and generally always has a tissue in hand. Do you think every time someone blows their nose they get snot all over their hands?

 

[goofyintoronto]

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.

I was a server for many years as well, so i agree with you that its a HARD job with many talents. However, I cant relate to the abuse part. Which restaurant did you work at? Honestly, i dont think i've been disrespected ONCE as a server. And i've made my share of errors.

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.

This makes me very nervous too. There are a bunch of ppl at the table and the server likes to show off by not writing anything down. The thing is, i always customize the #### out of my order, and more than half the time the server will get it wrong all because they didnt write it down. Its very frustrating.

I have to ask cause I am genuinely curious as someone who has bad allergies and generally always has a tissue in hand. Do you think every time someone blows their nose they get snot all over their hands?

I dont know what to tell you, it just really grosses me out when someone blows their nose at the table. I find it rude. Wiping your nose is one thing, but blowing it quite loud is gross. Its the sound, its the fear of snot flying everywhere. Also, yes what if they end up snot on their hands? The thought grosses me out. Its nasty.

 

[sunsprinkle24]

Taking my plate away before I am finished, and not even asking if I'm finished either! We were at Cheddars and this happened on two separate occasions. Yes, there was a little bit left but I planned on finishing it! The first time I sat there in shock, but the second time I said, "Excuse me but I wasn't finished with that!"

 

[PatsGirl]

My pet peeve is waitstaff that are not friendly during the whole process (even if they are efficient) and then turn on the charm when they drop the check ~ sorry Charlie, too late

It doesn't affect the way I tip because I tip on efficiency not friendliness but do they really think they'll get a better tip for a quick acknowlegement that we are "GUESTS" at the end of our visit?

 

[kamik86]

For the nose blowing thing. My husband has bad allergies. He goes through more tissues then anyone I know and there is honestly NO time we could EVER go out to eat if he didn't blow his nose a the table (or it would be dripping everywhere which I assume you would think is worse). If he went to the bathroom every time he would honestly never leave.

Myself when I have certain foods, espeically anything with a good amount of tabasco sauce, I have the same problem. So sorry if it grosses you out but if you see us at Disney World eating somewhere your probably going to get grossed out.

 

[kamik86]

For my part... if you ask how I am as waitstaff I realize your supposed to say that as part of being polite and doing your job. So please understand that when I say "Well and you?" that I'm just being polite in return. I don't care if its been a 9 hour day or if your tired or if your dog died or you had bad customers or all the other stuff people have told me. Your at work and I was just being polite. Tell me your doing well and move on with your job. I'm sure you didn't want to hear about my problems either.

 

[lovin'fl]

For my part... if you ask how I am as waitstaff I realize your supposed to say that as part of being polite and doing your job. So please understand that when I say "Well and you?" that I'm just being polite in return. I don't care if its been a 9 hour day or if your tired or if your dog died or you had bad customers or all the other stuff people have told me. Your at work and I was just being polite. Tell me your doing well and move on with your job. I'm sure you didn't want to hear about my problems either.

Yeah, that makes me uncomfortable and when I go out to eat I want to relax and enjoy...not be uncomfortable. I have had that happen at check outs in stores too...there is a check out lady at my grocery store that I avoid like the plague because she shares way too much personal info.

 

[DizBelle]

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...

They think (or are not trained differently) that the gloves are to protect their hands, not to protect your food.

 

[DizBelle]

I get both of these at the same mexican restaurant

1. I hate when they serve you something (chips/salsa) which might require you to wipe your hands and/or mouth but they haven't brought the napkins or silverware yet.

2. I HATE when they bring your queso but you have no chips and all you can do is sit and stare at your queso while they get the chips. Better yet, they say chips will be there soon thinking that the chip guy will bring them and 10 minutes later you still have no chips and cold queso.

 

[Heidict]

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.

I was a waitress for many years myself and while it can be challenging during a rush, I never found it the hardest job I had ever done. There are a ton of jobs that are more difficult. Some people just can't hack it and should not wait tables. It can take coordination and some people just don't have that.

I really wonder what type of restaurant you were working in that you had customers who was demeaning, disrespectful and abusive towards you. I have worked in places from the fancy tourist ones to the BBQ joints and never ran into anything like that.


For my pet peeves, I also hate the nose blowing thing. It's dirty, trashy and shows poor manners.

I hate it when they don't come check up on you a bit into your meal to see if you need anything else or to check that everything is okay. They just dump the food and go MIA till they drop off the check at the end of the meal.

 

[TinkerwithDis]

I was a waitress for many years myself and while it can be challenging during a rush, I never found it the hardest job I had ever done. There are a ton of jobs that are more difficult. Some people just can't hack it and should not wait tables. It can take coordination and some people just don't have that.

I really wonder what type of restaurant you were working in that you had customers who was demeaning, disrespectful and abusive towards you. I have worked in places from the fancy tourist ones to the BBQ joints and never ran into anything like that.


For my pet peeves, I also hate the nose blowing thing. It's dirty, trashy and shows poor manners.

I hate it when they don't come check up on you a bit into your meal to see if you need anything else or to check that everything is okay. They just dump the food and go MIA till they drop off the check at the end of the meal.

I agree with this. Its VERY poor manners and grosses me out too. Blowing your nose at the table is definitely not ideal. If you must, blow quietly. It irks me when ppl blow quite loud. I dont need to hear all the junk coming out of your nose thank you!

I would also like to know the type of restaurant the poster was working at to be belittle and abused so much. in all my years serving, i havent experienced anything like that either. And i agree, its not a job for just anyone.

For the nose blowing thing. My husband has bad allergies. He goes through more tissues then anyone I know and there is honestly NO time we could EVER go out to eat if he didn't blow his nose a the table (or it would be dripping everywhere which I assume you would think is worse). If he went to the bathroom every time he would honestly never leave.

Myself when I have certain foods, espeically anything with a good amount of tabasco sauce, I have the same problem. So sorry if it grosses you out but if you see us at Disney World eating somewhere your probably going to get grossed out.

YES i most definitely will be grossed out!

 

[cornflake]

This makes me very nervous too. There are a bunch of ppl at the table and the server likes to show off by not writing anything down. The thing is, i always customize the #### out of my order, and more than half the time the server will get it wrong all because they didnt write it down. Its very frustrating.

Obviously not every but there are restaurants that prohibit waitstaff from writing anything down. They're not given paper or pencils, they're required to take and recall orders with hands like, clasped.

So it may not be the server's decision to not write orders down, may be the manager/owner of the place.

 

[mickeyboat]

I have been a server before, so I know how hard it can be, especially when the restaurant is busy.

I can't stand it when it is clear we are finished eating, the server drops off our check, but leaves our dirty dishes sitting on the table in front of us.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I don't like it when the lighting is so dim you can't see the menu or really see the food well when it's brought to you.

I had to use the light on my phone at Teds Montana Grill 2 weeks ago to read the menu.
I used it to check over my food when it arrived to make sure it was correct too.

I also had to have my chair replaced because it was broken and I almost fell on the floor when I went to sit on it. My husband thought it was funny - I was not amused.

Yeah - I won't be going back there anytime soon.

 

[badblackpug]

Not really a pet peeve, but kind of funny. It always seems that when the server comes around to check on you and ask, "How is everything? Do you need anything?" My mouth is always full. Sometimes I wonder if it was timed. LOL

...and a funny story on my ex:

He stopped in Dunkin Donuts on his way to work one morning, went up to the counter and ordered a breakfast sandwich. The man at the counter took his order, then proceeded to scratch is butt with his gloves on. Now this wasn't a casual brush over a cheek, this was a dig all up in there. He then started making the sandwich, wearing the same gloves. My ex just walked out.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We went to a 5 star restaurant. It was supposedly one of the best in the nation. They ran the garbage through right by our table. And it was full of all kinds of nasty stuff. Flies and stuff getting in our food. It was nasty. One of my pet peeves. Either run the garbage out the back or wait until the end of the day when nobody is in your dining room.

 

[bankgirl05]

When a waitress pours a cup of coffee over my child's head... I mean, I handed her the cup so she could hold it away from the table rather than reach around and over my DD in a HighChair, and she held the cup RIGHT OVER HER HEAD and started pouring, Boy did I bawl her out for that one!!!
(Not that she pored it ON my child's head)

I am usually pretty mild mannered when we are out, even the time when a gum cracking waitress spilled my salad and dressing on my lap, from reaching across the (round table) to serve instead of walking around... (and then disappeared, never to be seen again, not even to serve the rest of our dinner, but did show up as we were walking out to try and scoop up her tip)

But the coffee pouring over my DD's head got a big "what the heck do you think you're doing???"

her reply? "OOOPS, my bad"

 

[dogluva]

I was a waitress for many years myself and while it can be challenging during a rush, I never found it the hardest job I had ever done. There are a ton of jobs that are more difficult. Some people just can't hack it and should not wait tables. It can take coordination and some people just don't have that.

I really wonder what type of restaurant you were working in that you had customers who was demeaning, disrespectful and abusive towards you. I have worked in places from the fancy tourist ones to the BBQ joints and never ran into anything like that.


For my pet peeves, I also hate the nose blowing thing. It's dirty, trashy and shows poor manners.

I hate it when they don't come check up on you a bit into your meal to see if you need anything else or to check that everything is okay. They just dump the food and go MIA till they drop off the check at the end of the meal.

Well I did it for seven years, made excellent money so I think I must have had what it took. I have only had two types of jobs in my life-waitress and then special education teacher. I find the later much easier.

I never said all guests were rude-most were polite. I said "some". I have worked in all types of restaurants. But it only takes one to ruin your night. Most, like I said, were nice. I am finding these pet peeves a little over the top. Like another poster said, it is a no win situation. I am happy you were treated well as a waitress because everyone deserves respect.

 

[supercarrie]

My pet peeve is pretty trivial, but I HATE it when wait staff pull out a chair and sit down at the table to take the order, rather than standing up as usual.

It always feels really forced and unnatural to me.

 

[MIGrandma]

I'm really shocked Springs1 hasn't sniffed out this thread yet.