In case you didn't know, my current job is being a server at a steakhouse. I don't love my job or hate it...it's a job, I work there...a lot...I get paid...kinda...
I love the people I work with. I like meeting new people.
Things you might not know about your servers:
- Your server only gets paid about $2.13 an hour plus tips (in most areas)
- Standard tips are no longer 10% like they used to be it is now standard to leave around 20%
- Your server has other jobs in addition to tending to tables ( this is why they might not be anywhere that you can see at some times).
I'm not saying these things to complain or anything...it's just general knowledge that I think any restaurant-goer should keep in mind.
Now...on to what I wanted to blog about originally...
A note to fellow Christians...I have some really sad news for you. Did you know that the stereotype in the restaurant business is that Christians don't tip well? Not only that, but most of the time Church groups are not good customers in general.
I mean, I hate stereotypes and generalizations, but that stereotype had to originate somewhere.
Let me tell you what happened today...
So...there is a group of about 10 people who came in and sat in my section. Ten people isn't that many...it's actually a pretty good size to work with. I go to their table to introduce myself...but never actually got to tell them my name because they jumped right into their drink orders. They all ordered their ice teas and waters with extra lemons, no lemons, extra ice, and no ice...not too bad.
I can only carry 4 glasses at a time...my hands just don't hold anymore, so with every trip to and from their table they felt the need to remind me of what was still missing. Finally all the drinks were out and the bread was on the table, but we still weren't ready to order the meals because they wanted cinnamon butter for their bread...not just regular butter. I explained to them they we don't necessarily have cinnamon butter, but I would gladly go make them some myself. I went back to the kitchen, got some cinnamon, and came back to the front, got a bowl and mixed cinnamon and butter together...not at all difficult, not a huge deal. I come back to a table of lovely people saying "There ya are, we thought you forgot about us."
So they order their food, I continue to refill their glasses, bring them any extras they might need...more cinnamon butter...and then when they get done I even yelled for the gentleman's birthday that they were celebrating...we gave him a big "YeeHaw."
Not one person at this table ever talked to me about anything other than what they wanted...which is fine, that's what I'm there for. When they left I was interested to see what they left me. I felt like I had done a good job. I open the book to see a tip that was significantly less than 10% but I had also gotten not just one, but three tracts with little comic strips of how to avoid burning in Hell.
Now...I can appreciate the thought of it. Those booklets speak truth. God can use anything to speak to people. But, as a Christian...how embarrassing! The way I saw it, they didn't care enough to find out my name, they didn't care enough to leave me a decent tip, appreciating my efforts...but according to those tracts God loves me and cares about me. Why am I supposed to believe that? Their God loves me...but they didn't even ask how I'm doing today?
I tell this story because it's fresh in my mind...but situations like this happen to all servers all the time. I get tables like this weekly.
Why do people do things like that? Is it for show...to make them look like good people? Or is it because they really think that's what the Lord would have them to do?
I don't remember Jesus ever handing someone a booklet and continuing on his way...and I'm sure if he would have handed them one, he would have had a long conversation about it with them.
What are your thoughts?
2 comments:
I agree. People (consumers) do not realize how much servers in food service do. I always hated the way even my boss seemed to forget how many responsibilities I had while on shift at the family restaurant. (Family owned are even WORSE because then you clean and do dishes after you are done waiting tables and working at the cash register...) I am glad I have already paid my dues to the food service industry.
Way to be a trooper, darlin.
I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me. Even worse is the fake $20s with the same info on them. Yes, trick me into reading about how God loves me. As a Christian, I don't really think people should be trying to witness to me when I'm at work through generic stupid tracts anyway. Witnessing to me, should be a personal thing. I was offended to be getting these because how the crap do they know I'm not a flippin Christian already - they don't even bother to ask my name or how I'm doing.
It's unfortunate that stereotypes exist but from my experience in food service (and even customer service now), they are correct 95% of the time.
people either don't realize the food and drinks aren't magically created or that their servers have to do all the lame sidework they do.
i made a killing as a server but i have to say i'm over the food industry. customer service blows too but at least when i kill someone with kindness/treat them like a baby when they complain about something/say something sarcastic-but-not-sarcastic-enough-to-get-me-in-trouble, i still get paid :) As a server, you choose to tell someone how you feel and you pay for it.
My favorite way to deal with ungrateful tables who never thank you is to bring them the food or whatever, stop for a brief moment to get a 'thank you' and when they ignore you, say 'you're welcome!" as if they did. What are they gonna complain about? "She said you're welcome and we didn't say thank you!"
oh and hi by the way. i haven't seen or talked to you in forever! hope you're doing well. i do miss your gigantic group on tuesday nights, but as i said, i'm SO over serving :)
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