Weekend Off Baby!!

For the second weekend in a row I haven't worked.  Hopefully I haven't forgotten how to wait tables!  Just kidding, I haven't, but I don't particularly even want to think about it.  I also have this next coming weekend off so that will mean that I haven't worked in three weeks! I've got to admit, it feels pretty nice.  You must think I'm lazy...well, I'm not! I've just been pretty busy that's all and finals begin this week and end next so I need all the time I can get to blog...Oh, ha...and other assignments as well :)

One time my friend who also works as a server took some time off and then it ended up being a month before she went back to work.  By the time she started working again her co-workers were beginning to think that she had gotten fired.  I have a feeling that's what will happen to me by the time I get back to work.  

So, uh...YEAH!  Not a whole lot going down in the world of waitressing for this gal. 

I want to know about YOUR favorite dining experience and what it was that made it so good/special/unique/magnificent...you get the picture.  Respond in the comment box!

Every one has a favorite dining experience...here is Paul's most memorable:

The best dining experience Paul has ever had was out of state at a place called The Dixie Stampede.  The service was great, the food was aMAZING and the whole time he was watching a horse show.  Performers came out and acted and the horses performed tricks.  Not only was the food amazing but it was a lot of food as well, he said the served him an ENTIRE chicken!

Easter Sunday

I was scheduled to work for today, 11:00 was the time that I needed to be in.  When I got out of the shower at 9:30 I saw that I had two missed calls...the restaurant where I work had called me twice and left me a message.  My manager told me that I didn't have to come in because they didn't think they would be busy on this Easter Sunday. 

GREAT!

...but why didn't you tell me that yesterday so I could have actually gone home for the day to eat ham instead of ordering chinese?? I mean, it's a good thing I like chinese.

Aggressive Customers

Some people that come in to eat I find are so hungry that they feel the need to be aggressive with hosts and servers. A friend of mine that works at a local restaurant as a host told me this story. It was busy one night and the restaurant was going on a wait.  People were lined up, sitting, standing and just waiting to get a table.  Some people can get pretty testy when they're waiting and one lady in particular goes up to the host, my friend, and asks how much time it will be before she can sit down at a table.  My friend proceeds to tell her that it will be about 20 minutes.  The woman did not like this answer and then says "20 minutes? If you say 20 minutes you should MEAN 20 minutes!  It's never what you say it's going to be!"

I was flabbergasted when my friend told me this story, because as the woman was saying that last bit, she grasped my friend by the forearm and squeezed it, and not in a friendly way.  My friend had been working all day and was doing the best she could to make sure that people were getting sat and letting them know how much time.  WHICH by the way is an estimate! We can't make other customers get up and leave just because some fat heffer wants to get their deep fried chicken fingers as soon as they walk into the restaurant.  

My friend had to be curt with the woman and told her to step back, I personally think I would have clocked her right in the nose...or at least the urge would have been very strong!  The woman didn't like that and asked to speak with a manager-as if my friend had done something wrong when really she was just doing her job.  

HOLY GUACAMOLE!!!

I spilled a "boat" today at work and it almost got all over one of my customers.  A "boat" is just a plate with all the fixings you need to make yourself a killer fajita: lettuce, sour cream, diced tomatoes and GUACAMOLE! It was actually the very last thing I was setting on the table and I'm not really quite sure what happened but it slipped out of my hands and made a disgusting mess on the floor-not to mention the plate broke.  I was mostly concerned about my customers...I didn't want them to cut themselves on any glass.  The whole time I'm talking to them and making sure that they were OK I had the hugest glob of guacamole on my hand-which, is a very interesting texture.  (baHAHA! Interesting close up, wouldn't you agree? MMM!!)

I've got to the point where if I spill something at work, I don't really get embarrassed about it.  It's more humiliating if you actually spill something all over your guest which has also happened to me (a Jamaican Cooler-a really STICKY tropical drink!).  You just have to accept it, clean it up quickly and move on.  There is no use worrying about it.

In all honesty

I don't even know what to write right now. Work this weekend was rough and I've decided that I need to change my availability so that I can actually have time to do homework. I know...this is probably one of the laziest posts I've done but I think everyone will understand...it's mid semester and everyone's tired-am I right? So here's to the worst post ever but I promise a really juicy story next time.

I've come to the conclusion that...

I can't wait for the day that I'm not working part-time as a waitress.  The money may be good sometimes...but it is SO miserable. 

But on a lighter note, here are some tips on how to silently communicate with your server: 

1.) When your drink is empty and you need a refill-please don't wave it rudely in the air.  It's obnoxious and it's irritating.  Instead, set it at the end of the table that way it is more noticeable when she is walking by.  

2.) When you are finished with and entree or appetizer and would like some extra space on the table, stack the dishes so your server can pre-bus your table.  Not only do you get some extra room but it's also really helpful for you server. 

3) Same goes for your check.  When your waitress drops the check make your method of payment-credit or debit, cash, gift cards, etc.- visible and set it on the edge of the table so they see it when they walk by.

Three easy steps.  If in scenario #1 the waitress does not notice the empty beverage it is OK to POLITELY remind her.  You are not her only table, give her some time and she will replenish your drink.  

***Another reminder*** Don't sit for hours talking at the table, especially if you have already paid-it's enough to make your server go bonkers.   

...Really?!

Out of all the customers that I serve: kids, grandparents, college students, football fans and church-goers...my least favorite are middle aged women.  

I don't have anything against them except for the fact that they are extremely picky.  They complain the most out of any customer that I get.  Their food is too cold, there dishes are dirty, the light ranch dressing doesn't taste like "light" dressing-you know, stuff like that.  There is nothing wrong with being picky about certain instances when you go out, but I find that middle aged women are more rude about it and I can't for the life of me figure it out.  

SO...getting to my story, yesterday I served a woman like this.  She was actually nice right up until the moment I set the plate of food in front of her.  She had ordered our appetizer sampler, which is a choice of three of our apps on one plate.  As I went to set the plate down, an eggroll slipped off the plate and landed on the table...the CLEAN table.  I apologized for it and she immediately looked up at me and said, "Oh...well I'm going to HAVE to have another one." I looked at her and repeated the question because I thought she was joking!  She was so grossed out that she wanted another one! I picked up the eggroll, which was actually cut in half so she wanted me go back into the kitchen and have me ask the cooks to make her half an eggroll.  I brought the eggroll back set it on a small plate, waited a few minutes and brought the same eggroll out to her...she never even knew the difference. 

 

Managerial Personalities

In every restaurant there is usually a few managers (i.e. kitchen managers, general manager...you get the idea). 

I've concluded, based on my experience and with friends that have worked as servers also, that the managers personalities are similar across the board.  At the current restaurant that I work at I have four managers.  I know what I can and can't get away with depending on who's working.  For example, I know that when the general manager is working (also called the GM) there is no way I can be wearing my nose ring and my shirt MUST be tucked in.  The GM is usually the straight edge type of personality...always follows the rules even if they make no difference otherwise.  They are usually difficult to talk to because they are usually on a power trip and they lack communication skills.  

There is always a manager that is just plain angry about life and these are the managers that you steer clear from and do what they say-if you do this then you should be on good terms with them. 

The third type of manager personality goes to the manager who is always willing to help you, always listens to you and treats everyone fairly.  They can sometimes get uptight but it's the restaurant business so that's bound to happen.  They're not difficult to work with and it's always nice when this is the manager in charge.  

The last type of manager is Mr. Cool himself.  There is always a male manager who is laid back about pretty much everything.  It's great working with them because when they are working the whole wait staff picks up the same vibe and it can make some nights fun to work.  The only drawback to this is that sometimes the staff can get a little too laid back making it easy to get behind which makes you feel busier then you really are. 

 

Tourney Time and Valentine's Day

So this is a celebratory post...this weekend was SOOO busy!  Busy in the most fan-tabulous way ever though.  Customers were generous, I think maybe because Saturday was Valentine's Day and everyone was just feeling the love.  So, here's to me actually liking Valentine's Day for the first time in my life...maybe because people were giving me money and not fluffy stuffed animals and giant boxes of chocolates. 

The Cowboy Burger

I got this true story from a friend of mine who works as a hostess.

I was standing at the host stand one day at work when a server named Jessie came up to me, frantic and pointing to a man that had just collapsed on the floor.

"I JUST gave that man a heart attack! Oh my ...I'm going to get SUED!" she said. 

"Well what do you mean? How did you give him a heart attack?!" I asked. 

"Well he ordered The Cowboy Burger! He ate it...and then collapsed! That burger put him in cardiac arrest and now he's on the floor and I'm going to get sued because I served it to him!"

I just stared at her, knowing she was being irrational.  EMT's were now strapping the overweight man to a stretcher while everyone in the restaurant was looking on with curiosity.  Even though Jessie was over reacting to the situation, she had good reason to.  The Cowboy Burger is our biggest burgers with crunchy onion rings, honey BBQ sauce, jack and cheddar cheeses and applewood smoked bacon. He might have had it coming to him anyway-The Cowboy Burger just pushed him over the edge. 

How to send your food back politely

So you go out to eat and your food wasn't prepared the way you asked it to be...there is absolutely nothing wrong about this it's just the way you go about it.  Try not to make a big deal about it or  make your server feel bad about it.  Usually it's the cooks fault and they weren't paying attention to the way the order was put in.  If you notify them in a polite manner it is never a problem to send food back.  

My Fantasy...

This video is totally disgusting...and awesome!  I would LOVE to do this...I know. I know...but still, just fantasizing about it gives me great joy. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p1dFdlcENQ

Now, I know the video is a bit disturbing but this does NOT happen in real life (the altering of the food anyway).  That customer is spot on though, every once in a while I'll wait on someone like that...messing with their food is only a fantasy of mine that I would NEVER carry out. :)

The Sunday Crowd: Church Goers and Football Enthusiasts

Every Sunday only two types of people come in...you guessed it, church goers and football enthusiasts.  At the particular restaurant that I work at there is a lounge in our bar area where the football fans sit and the church goers usually sit in the dining area...or as far away from the bar as possible.  

Both groups of people come in around the same time, after church and right around kickoff.  The football fans generally order appetizers, their favorite? Buffalo wings. The church folk usually order off the kids menu...for their 18 children that I'm almost positive throw their food on the floor just so they can laugh when they leave knowing that I'll be the one cleaning it up.  Oh, and those 18 children?  They're ALL in high chairs...making it difficult to maneuver around the table dropping off food and refilling drinks.  

The football fans are pretty laid back and easy to take care off though.  As long as their game is on and their beers are full, they are happy. 

Terminology

Ok, I want you all to study these terms...there will be a quiz next week. :) Just kidding!

In the weeds = Servers use this term when they have so much to do and they get behind and can't seem to get caught up...therefore you are "in the weeds".

86 = "We're 86'd ranch dressing!" ---it just means that the kitchen ran out of ranch dressing, or anything else that could potentially run out.  

Slammed = Extremely busy in the restaurant and generally this is when every table is taken and there is now a wait to sit down and eat. 

Pop = Used to describe a busy spurt, not necessarily "slammed" but busy enough. :)

Canadians = This is used to describe people who tip bad.  They could really be Canadian though, which is where the term originated because Canadians generally don't tip well. 

Stiffed = This means that you received next to nothing from a table...usually the change that they don't want.   

There are others but these ones are used the most...if anyone can think of anything else feel free to let me know in your comments!

Happy, Happy Birthday...

Singing 'Happy Birthday' to one of my guests is always humiliating.  How ironic that EVERY table that served yesterday had a birthday!  At least I have my fellow co-workers beside me when I'm doing it.  Everything about it is no good.  It's not your traditional birthday song, and whenever we have to do it at work we have to hoot and holler and pretend like we're excited it's your birthday.  The thing is, it's almost as humiliating for the guest because more than likely one of their friends pulled me aside and asked me to do something special for "the kid in the white shirt" because it's their birthday.  

Here are ways to make it less awkward...join in and sing with us! Hoot and holler yourselves!  It's always better when the whole table gets involved, or even parts of the restaurant!  So, let's make a deal: you sing along with us the next time you're out for a birthday celebration-and I'll make sure that we at least all clap on rhythm and all sing in the same key.    

It happens to the best of us

It was a busy night, every table in my section was taken and two of the tables sat down at the same time.  Being double or even triple sat can be one of the most stressful occurrences for a server.  It's easy for me to picture the two separate tables as one big table...getting all the drink orders and appetizers in at the same time.  One time however, I forgot to put the order in for one of the tables.  It's one of those things that you don't really know how it happened because you remember writing everything down.  I kept walking by the table you know to make sure that their drinks were full and going back to the kitchen to make sure that their food was on the line.  Once 20 minutes had passed I then realized that I had not put the order in.  I panicked.  Not only did I forget, but I also threw away the slip that I had used to write down their order.   

As embarrassing as it was I walked up to my table and in the most apologetic way possible explained that I had forgotten to put their order in and that I also forgot what they had even ordered.  I of course was expecting the worst possible reaction but to my surprise they were very patient and didn't even complain.  I lucked out, they even left me a decent tip.  

It happens to the best of us...

Tipping Etiquette

How much should you leave as a tip when you dine out?  Everyone's opinion is different when it comes to this.  I'll let you know out right that my opinion is biased because of the fact that I am a waitress.  I know plenty of people however that don't waitress and feel the same as I do.  Here is a breakdown of how you should tip your server. 

It's really quite simple, good service deserves at least 20%, if you were really impressed go up from there.  An easy way to find %20 is to first find %10 and double that.  For example if your bill is $30.00, ten percent is $3.00.  So, a $6.00 tip would be acceptable.  

A lot of people find that %15 is good enough, but if the service was outstanding or even just decent...it is NOT acceptable.  

%10 is NEVER acceptable.  If your reaction was, "Well I never tip %10." that's great, but you would be surprised the amount of people that I've served that have given me ten percent tip after they told me that I did a good job.  This left me confused and frustrated.  The only time ten percent is okay is if you're in Canada.  This is only because servers in our neighboring country make minimum wage...not $3.75 an hour.

I think one of the greatest things in life, and I could be wrong, is going out to eat.  You don't have to cook anything, worry about doing the dishes, and best of all it is served to you.  I'll be honest though, as a server I don't necessarily always want to serve you.  Actually, about 90% of the time you are out to eat, the server is faking it.  Their attitude, their smile...everything.  I'll talk more about this through stories later on though.  Don't get me wrong, there ARE instances where customers are pleasant to wait upon.  

Oh the joys of working in a restaurant, you get your butt kicked when it's slammed and you make no money when it's slow (On a side note, waiters and waitresses only make around $3.75 an hour-so they depend on customers to get paid through tips...again, more to come on this as well!)   Customers are always picky but for the most part it truly is a love/hate relationship.