How would you react if you were eating in a restaurant where the waiter gets the dinner order mixed up?

Question

Perhaps I should make it clear that I too have worked as a server. I ask this question for research purposes, NOT because I'm having a fit about it happening to me. Nor am I looking for free food or a lecture on tipping a server. FYI - I would simply smile and assure the server every thing was fine and we'd work something out, which means I would end up eating a meal I did not order.

Answer 1

If it is just mixed up with the placement of the plates?

If they have already been set down and he has already walked away we just switch them ourselves.

If he has not set them down yet I just point to which one is mine.

If the whole order is confuse? He brings something I did not order, or the side dish is incorrect I politely say "I'm sorry I thought I order ______".

Usually they will remember, and say "Oh your right, you did ask for the fruit, not the fries... I go fix this for you."

If they try to argue with you like, "Thats not what I have written down..." I would politely say "I'm sorry about the confusion but I am on a diet/ I'm alergic to sea food/ I have a religious restriction from eating beef"... I give them a brief reason why I ordered the way I did, so they can see I'm not just being difficult.

Answer 2

I agree with Scott. I am a waitress... and believe it or not, I'm also human. We make mistakes just like everyone else, but trust me we are more than happy to fix the mistake and then some. Our tip depends on how well we do our job. Often times, we are not making the food and it is the kitchen who gets things wrong. We try our best to make sure everything is correct, but it is not always so. If I mess up a table's order I will promptly correct it, and usually I will also go ahead and take some money off their check without being asked. However, if a customer doesn't point out this error or doesn't do it until half-way through the meal, I am not going to be able to do quite as much. Also, if you are being rude to the server from the beginning, I can guarantee they are not going to be as willing to provide you with good service. Just remember, that virtually every server depends on your tips for their income, in Michigan the minimum wage for servers is $2.65/hour. So please tip your server accordingly. 10% is not an acceptable gratuity anymore, they say 15-16% is the new minimum. Unless you have atrocious service, such as ther server messing up an order and not attempting to correct it, you should always be tipping upwards of 10%! Thanks for listening to me rant!

Answer 3

I am a waiter and usually we try to take the orders according to the position or seat you are sitting at on the table, starting with the ladies first, oldest to youngest and then move on to the gentlemen. placing their order to the assigned position on our check. Often times after you have taken an order, especially more often than, not, this seems to be a problem with young women who start interrupting you and changing their order after you have already written it down and deciding they want sauce on the side, or sub the potatro with a veg or I am allergic to mushrooms could you hold them or would you make sure the chef doesn't let my food touch each other on the plate orcan we split a cup of soup into 6 bowls please. In this situation the orders can be confused. As a customer I would reccomend listening to the server when he tells you the specials, read the menu thoroughly be decisive about your order and if you have special requests let them know at the time of your order. This will eliminate any confusion.

Answer 4

I work as a waiter and it is not the end of the world. Politely point out the error and he/she will have it corrected. Hopefully you're not the type of person that tries to get something for free at your server's expense. Don't be that person. You should always tip well also. Yesterday I had the scum of society. These people left me $10 on a $75 check, $10 on a $90 check, and $4 on a $56 check. Anyone out there please tip your server well. Not only does this hurt us financially, but it really lowers our morale. Thank you for your time.

Answer 5

I get very upset. Although I haven't worked in that capacity I would use my skills I've learned from other jobs, like customer service and do an excellent job as a waiter. I expect good service and I would give excellent service. I act a fool, I call the manager most cases they have to calm me down. If a person is not a people person, do not go in the that type of service.

Answer 6

LMAO what gets me is when you give somebody a burger and they didn't want the lettuce or tomato or onion and they expect you to bring the whole burger back instead of just taking the tomato or the offending food off. I don't get it, WHY be a jackass? That has happened to me and I don't rave like a lunatic I just pick it off, not send the server back to make a whole new burger. *sigh* Like somebody said, since when does the term server =perfection? I'd like to see some of these turds out there do my job, it would definately provide me with a lifetime of entertainment!

Answer 7

I'm a vegetarian and am nervous eating out as not alot of people are understanding. I would be extremely upset if a waiter/ess got my order mixed up with my bf's who is a meat eater.

Answer 8

They are human, too. Mistakes happen so no big deal, however if the mistake keeps happening, talk with the manager, then you usually get the star treatment for it being wrong if not even free. I have had that happened several times.

Answer 9

Get annoyed and say to the waiter that my order was mixed up. Most waiters are willing to fix the porblem.

Answer 10

I don't get mad because i am enjoying the company of my man or friends or family that usuall when they mess up they give you your meal for free or a gift certificate for next visit. I thappens to me all the time...........