Bitter Student Waitress Speaks Out

“Miss, miss! Get me…” Let me stop right there. Yelling at me from across the room, or knocking on your table, will not get you faster service.

I am a waitress at a popular downtown restaurant and I’ve seen just about everything (as most servers have).

Where there are good customers, there is bad. I am of course talking about those customers who roll their eyes because the special this week is different than the special last week, get drunk and stand in the walkways like 1,000 pound weights are tied to their ankles, and yes, those who can’t wait until they get home to have sex (believe it or not it happens).

If you are or ever have been, a server or bartender, you absolutely have to check out these two web sites: www.stainedapron.com and www.bitterwaitress.com. You really don’t even have to be a server to appreciate these sites. They have hundreds of outrageous stories from servers and bartenders from all over, bad tipper name lists, celebrity customers, and of course server pet peeves.

Speaking of server pet peeves, let me go over a few for those customers who are a little clueless. First of all, (if the restaurant is a seat-yourself style) please do not sit at a dirty table!

Sit at a clean one, or if you really want that table, just ask someone to clear it off for you. It’s really not a problem, and if you just wait a moment, someone is probably already on their way to clear it off.

Second, don’t yell at your server for your food being late, or your steak not being cooked correctly. We have absolutely no control over what goes on in the kitchen.

Most of the time if you just respect your server and see them as a real person with a real life, and not, “just a waitress” (as we’ve all heard), you will get great service. At least you will from me. So enjoy your meal and don’t forget to tip your waitress.