Are there any restaurant workers here?

Question

I wait tables at a very fine dining establishment. I love waiting tables and dealing with the public. I was wondering if anyone else has this problem regarding guests. I went to do a first round at my table last night, and the 2 men totally ignored me and I stood there like a fool waiting for them to acknowledge me. After about 15 seconds of me just standing there, I began to walk off. One of the men said, "where are you going?" my reply was, well, sir, I'm going off to another table because I have more tables than the one your at..... He was cool about it, but why do people think we are only there for that 1 table...don't they understand, we are at work!! We don't have all day to wait to be acknowledged, and why do they think they are better than us? We all put our pants on 1 leg at a time, and we all wipe our @sses the same way!! What do you do in the situation where you are being totally ignored and telling guets about daily specials, when they won't even look at you?

Answer 1

move to your next table and then come back to them and ask them if they are ready to order now..some people just think that they are better than others.

Answer 2

I worked in restaurants for 10 years, and the last 3 was in a fine dining restaurant. No matter how you approach this situation, people are going to do irritating things. Many are oblivious, and some are assholes. My secret to making it through a shitty table was to kill them with kindness. It really works. Start thinking of it as a game. Every time someone is an ignorant bastard, be nicer. Sometimes people are trying to pass on their bad day, and when you show that you won't take it, that no matter what, you are unaffected and courteous... they stop acting like *****. And if they don't, just remember that you aren't the kind of person that would do this to someone else, and never will be. Don't let the bastards get you down!!

Answer 3

Honey It does not get better. for some reason a lot of customers are that way. I'm not saying that all are that way,but there will all ways be people that will not have any curtsy to the wait staff. I have waited tables to get me through school now my daughter does at a resort and she tells me how some of the clientele act and It has not change in over twenty years. I have had arguments with friends that they were not tipping the right amount and I would have to have the waitress explain that most wait staff do not make that much a hour they make their living off the tips. But most of the good people out weight the bad so hang in there, It's good that you like your job. good luck

Answer 4

I do work at, (and own), a restaurant, and I can totally relate to your question. Your first reaction is probably like any other persons in our line of work; to get angry and walk away from them, leaving them to receive service when you're ready to come back. But I've learned that most people don't work in the public service sector, and have no idea that they're being an inconvenience and a general pain in the a$$. In the long run, learning to cope with problem customers by remaining calm and polite will get you farther in your career, (if that's the career you choose). It will also net you bigger tips! Hang in there, kid. Just don't let em' wear you down.

Answer 5

I have worked in MANY resturants and I have always wanted to upgrade to a fine dining experience, but people are expectant, ESPECIALLY in a fine dining atmosphere. They know you have other tables to tend to, but they simply do not care. They come first because the majority of people eating in a fine resturant and acting like that do it on a daily basis wherever they go. So you aren't the only one getting the snoody attitudes, but the way they see it, you're serving them, and that's why they can get away with it. I hate being a waitress because of people like that, and I mostly hate it because no matter what, THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

Answer 6

Usually I skip the speicals then and jump right into their conversation. Then I say "oh, sorry can I grab you something to drink or should I come back later cause I see I have another thirsty table." You can probally word it a little better, I do denpending on the table. It always works and i still get great tips. It just gives them a little sense of urgency and lets them know your work for your money too in subtle kinda way.

Answer 7

I work in a restaurant, but because it's a pizza joint, I really don't have the waiting tables problem. But I totally understand about how rude guests can be. I pretty much just walk away. If the guests complain, my managers understand and are normally on my side.

Answer 8

Sorry, sweetie, but if that's the worst you've had, then you ain't seen nothing yet! I've got >30 years in F&B and what you describe is so far below my radar that they'd have to pull a turd out of their pocket to make a bleep.

Hang in there, or get out before you burn out. You'll know if it's for you, and if it's not, then it will just get worse. If it is, you'll learn how to maneuver -- but! --beware becoming or thinking you are a manipulator. That will burn you out on the inside, and you don't want that.

Remember -- it's your job, and for most of us, jobs aren't fun. They're work. Doesn't mean they have to suck, or you must endure any kind of abuse. I've worked in places where the owners and managers were very supportive of their staff and didn't tolerate abusive customers, and I've worked for the other kind of bosses too.

Basically, like everything else, it will come down to your attitude. Stay positive, hang in there, learn and you'll be fine. Waiting can be good for a stint or for a lifetime, depending on you and what you want, what you need.

Good luck to you.

Source: you name it, I've done it -- diner to finest formal, all positions including mgt. Presently chef in "upscale" place.

Answer 9

I am an Operations Manager of a business that processed over 3 million transactions a year with a very diverse customer base ( young and old, rich and poor) and my answer to you is that some customers are simply arrogant a**holes who feel that, as the customer, you are there to do everything short of kissing their asses. It is the most frustrating part of our business. Having said that, let me tell you a quick story:

We had this one customer we served for over 4 years ( a student). He was the biggest jerk you have ever met, mean to my staff etc. My staff just smiled and served him...for 4 years. Smiled and took it. On the day of his graduation, he came in and presented these two lady staff members with a present each. he said nothing! The note attached said " I know I have been the biggest pain in the *** you have ever met and you have been nothing but nice to me....I apologize, thank you for a great 4 years!" Made it all worthwhile. Hang in there!!

Answer 10

you wrong the guess always come first .am surprise you didn't lose your job like that .be nice all the time .your right that's your job but you wouldn't have a job if peoples didn't eat there .i know it hard to deal with peoples some time but try to be nice.i done that and other job bad than that ,before i finish school there are nothing wrong with waiting on table and peoples are not looking down you .maybe you have the wrong job bad personality get you no where.smile

Answer 11

Thats What I Do For A liveing. Only I Got Laid Off. Because My Boss Went Bankupct