August 3, 2012
I've been trying to think of a clever introduction for this post, but I'm coming up empty. So without further ado, the best (and by best I mean only) first sentence I could think of:
I would hate serving myself. I honestly believe that I am every server's worst nightmare, especially my own. I made this discovery while on vacation in San Diego with my family, as I was served at restaurants far nicer than the one at which I work. I would like to sincerely apologize to all of my past, present, and future servers. I know that you don't deserve the likes of me clogging up one of your precious tables because trust me, I wouldn't want to serve me either.
What makes me such a horrible guest? I don't complain or ever have anything sent back to the kitchen, but I also don't cut my servers any breaks either. First of all, the only drink I EVER order is water. I do this because basically every other beverage, besides hot tea, scares me. (I'm a health freak weirdo, I know.) Not only that, but I drink at least one full glass of water before my food even comes. If I'm really hungry, it's more like two or three. This means I've got my server running back and forth to keep me gratuitously hydrated. To add insult to injury (from all the speed walking), their effort doesn't even equate to dollars. I know firsthand how much that just...sucks.
Besides that, I usually always order a salad or some other healthy/lighter fare, which means my entree costs less as well. Besides that, if the salad comes laden with meat and dressing, I ask for the former omitted and the latter on the side. These are small modifications, but they do require extra attention. I feel bad burdening my waitress by demanding special treatment because I know how annoying it is to worry about an order coming out perfectly. My kitchen has messed up on me enough times to know that special orders are nothing but trouble for a server. Guests don't usually understand that servers have no control over the actual food, just acting as human airplanes. All we can do is take an order, make a memo, and pray that the cooks haven't left their reading glasses at home.
Besides my actual ordering limitations, now that I've become a server, I feel like I have free reign to analyze anyone and everyone who serves me. Of course, no matter how I think my server measures up to every other server I know, I always overtip. I know how bad shifts can be, how tedious side-work can become, and (especially) how difficult customers can be. I get it. So I try to make every server's day just a little bit better by throwing in an extra dollar or two. So maybe I'm not the worst guest in the entire world; because even though I know that I'd hate serving myself, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't mind receiving my own tip.
These dirty plates aren't the only thing that's a hot mess. #servergirlstruggz
"Guests don't usually understand that servers have no control over the actual food, just acting as human airplanes. All we can do is take an order, make a memo, and pray that the cooks haven't left their reading glasses at home."
ReplyDeleteIn most instances they do for things you don't have to TOUCH the food to notice the mistakes if your server brings out your food, because they can compare that written order to the food *BEFORE* they leave the kitchen. Also, there have been times when servers have rung up things wrong, forgot things from the kitchen, and forgot to put in orders into the computer.
Even if another server runs the food, if the order was put in correctly, then that is the fault of the other server that didn't read the ticket most likely for any obvious errors that you don't have to touch the food to notice it's wrong. It's not the kitchen staff's fault for any obvious errors.
I would say in the MAJORITY of instances, your server or another server is at fault for bringing out obviously wrong orders. That IS the GOD'S TRUTH and you know it.
If I add a side of ranch for my fries, that's pretty obvious that it's not with the plate of food. If I have the wrong side dish, that's pretty obvious. If I said I wanted bbq sauce "on the side" and not on the ribs, but my server brings the ribs out with bbq sauce on them, it's not the kitchen staff's fault, it's my server's fault for not noticing that something was obviously wrong. That's what EARNING the TIP is ALL about!!
The other server that isn't making a tip, well, they should know it's teamwork and that what they do will alter that server's money visa versa.
Ooh wow, you took this post seriously. You should probably check out the rest of my blog before making any other comments because it's all about how I make mistakes all the time when I'm serving. It's supposed to be humorous.
DeleteTrust me, I know that you are supposed to check your food when it comes out of the kitchen. Perhaps I should have mentioned this in the original post, but at the restaurant at which I work, we have employees whose specific job is to compare the food with the checks and do any finish work for the plates. Ninety-nine percent of the time, they are great at this because it is all they do. I put a lot of faith in them because of this and because I trust them because they're great people. At the same time, they're also human, and we're all capable of making mistakes.
I kinda think it's hilarious that you got so riled up by this post and I would suggest that you not read any more because they'll probably just make you mad. I've only been serving for a short while but I've already made pretty much every mistake in the book. You probably would not enjoy reading about the adventures of this bumbling idiot, but thanks for the comment!