Why don't people know not to mess with the person who serves your food?

Question

Im a waitress and I would NEVER mess with someones food. However, when i go out to eat, Im always super nice to whomever is waiting on me because i know the power they have to make me unknowingly eat something yucky. Why does it seem that none of the people I wait on understand this concept?

Answer 1

I have been in this industry for upwards of 15 yrs. Last year I had a gentleman that was ratther a domineering guy who likes to apply his will on others. Normally I roll with the punches, and just get them out as quick as can be, so I can spend my time with someone more pleasant.

This guy ordered a coconut shrimp dish that comes with a citrus mustard sauce. It's incredible, but horrible with Ketchup.

Anyhow he demands I get him cocktail sauce of which my restaurant does not carry. Normally, I let them know it will be a moment or two before I can get that out to him since I can go make it from scratch. He cut me off before I could explain, and told me to go make it, about as rudely as one could talk to another. Not a smart man.

I smiled and proceeded to the kitchen. I grabbed cayanne pepper, Habanero Sauce, Garlic, Tons of horseradish and a dab of ketchup wiht extra lemon and lime juice and worchestshire sauce. I packed the ramiken full of my cocktail sauce so he couldnt dilute it with more ketchup.

When I supplied him his requested sauce he asked for more ketchup. I knew he was going to do this I simply supplyed him one that was nearly overflowing in the ramiken again. I topped off his water and tea along with everyone elses and asked te table how their dinners were.

They all thanked me except for him since he had not tried his yet and I walked away. I took my time to check back on the less than fortunate guy. everyones water was empty and he couldnt even mix the cockatil sauce with the ketchup it was still too hot.

I didnt really care that I pissed my tip out the window it was worth it. Somehow I still managed to get a 20% tip from the table and I saw a smile from the guy across from him at the table.

Its only the second time I ever messed with someone. I've seen people do much worse. The first time I messed with someone it was harmless. I was taking an order for a large party and this 8-10 yr old kid who knew better stopped me 8 times while im trying to talk with the party about their choices. The kid simply wanted ketchup which I bring to the table anyhow. I'd acknowledge the request and go back to the order only to be inturpted by the same request again.

I tired of his interuptions and dismissed myself from the table to please this child. I grabed a beverage tray and grabed 14 ketchup bottles. I came back to the table and surrounded the kid with the bottles cutting off from everyone else at the table. Everyone found it hilarious except for the kid. I then continued with the rest of the order and everything was fine from that point out. I only had to do that one other time to another person who constantly requested ketchup.

I'm not hard of hearing and when given a moment I am willing to please people if they allow me to. When your an *** about things I'll go out of my way creatively to help everyone else see how you are behaving.

That is my non fireable way of getting back at people.

Answer 2

I have seen the movie waiting and believe me I am polite, however it is out of courtesy and not fear.

I never make my server run. if I need a refill and some ketchup I ask all at once. Waiting to get one item and then suddenly remembering the need of something else after they walk off(especially at a rush) is retarded.

I frequent a few nice spots and tip servers nicely. In turn over a few months of respect I "magically" find drinks, deserts etc. not charged. The difference between a few % on a tip won't make or break my budget. To leave an extra 1 or 2 bucks on top of what is fair really makes a servers day. If I can't afford to give fair gratuity, perhaps I should stay at home, no?

Some restaraunts are nasty by nature and no matter how nice the staff are the food is gross. I worked at a place that had a faulty freezer that melted meat until it bled. They refroze it and cooked it later on. I had to quit after that nasty crap. That is another story.

Answer 3

They are dumb. I know that sending something back to the kitchen once is usually safe, but if it's still wrong then it's time to get a manager and get it off the bill and go somewhere else to eat. It's too easy for food handlers to do horrible things to food. I am very cautious with food made by others since my daughter is immune compromised. If you failed to wash your hands sufficiently she could end up with dysentary or worse. You should never, ever mess with someone one's food and follow all safety guidelines to keep it free from disease. You never know who's going to eat it.

Answer 4

I always try to be polite to cashiers period. I was one myself. Even if there's a problem, I always remain polite. We all make mistakes. But if a place routinely has bad service, I'll simply stop going there. By the way, putting bodily substances on someone's food is a felony.

Answer 5

not thinking, I dunno . I love great service but I will address something that is wrong . Sometimes its not the waitresses fault though, so you should make that clear to her /him then explain your dissatisfaction. There is a way to address things without making you waitress feel bad. now If you just have a bad waitress and you can see her attitude sucks . sometimes you can talk to her in such a way that it brightens her day .. your service from her will change. If not ask for another waitress. Everybody has bad days. and yes you should not bring it to work , but lets get real , stuff happens

Answer 6

Because these people live in their own world, and they are so annoying, and I'm not even a waitress I just can't stand it when I over hear people being rude like that!

Answer 7

I don't know. Same goes for retail, which I worked in for 20 years. You always know customers who work or have worked behind the counter - they treat you like a person.

I believe the same good manners which hopefully apply at home, the please and thankyou's, apply outside the home as well.

Answer 8

lol its not that its just their are those people who have bad days. And either side could give each other problems. Besides brother was a waiter and lets just say u dont wanna make him mad.

Answer 9

Because they're not too bright.

I do think that there needs to be more severe legistalation though against food tampering, even to the slightest extent with prison terms involved.

Answer 10

Either they've never worked in a restaurant or they haven't see Waiting.