Somewhere on the other side of the world in a land called Melbourne, Australia, there is a comedian who sees absolutely no problem with being a rude areshole to people in the service industry. While he was trying to be funny on the Down Under Version of the Today show, Merrick Watts (find him here on Twitter) discussed Melbourne cafes that have instituted a new policy of banning customers who are talking on their cell phones when they are ordering their fancy caffe lattes. Personally, I think it’s sad that a rule had to be made because it should just be common sense that when you are engaging with one person you don’t continue gabbing on your cell phone. Merrick Watts does not agree. He feels that it is perfectly fine to disregard the necessity for manners and that people in the service industry do not deserve the same respect we give to customers. “Baristas have got to get a handle on themselves,” he says, completely ignoring the fact that baristas are probably saying the same thing about that smug fucking smirk that crawls across his face every time he says something he thinks is funny. He goes on to say that since he is paying for it, that they should give it to him and get over the hipster attitude with “your beard and all your weird mermaid tattoos. Just make me the coffee.” Doesn’t he sound charming?
His cohort/sidekick/whoever the fuck agrees saying that baristas and mixologists are “getting a little ahead of ourselves” and that if she is talking on the phone while ordering she’s not being “really” rude. I guess, she thinks it’s okay to be a little bit rude though. Then Merrick throws in one more comment to make sure he gets the full ire of service workers: “You’re not doing real work.”
Although Merrick was making these comments on the fly and aiming for cheap laughs, his attitude is indicative of many customers around the world who think people in the service industry are undeserving of respect. Derrick, kindly keep your vegemite-loving, koala-humping, Foster-drinking, shrimp on the barbie ass over there in the land down under and if you ever sit it to my section, I hope I can find a dingo that will eat the holier-than-thou grin right off your pompous face. (Yes, I totally Googled “Australian stereotypes.”)
Bottom line: don’t talk on the phone when someone is trying to take your order. Give them the attention you would expect them to give you. Don’t be a rude asshole like Merrick Watts.
Frank
Irony: blog based on servers bitching about customers is angry about a customer bitching about servers.
Yarrgh
You’re missing one last logical step: blog based on servers bitching about customers is angry about a customer bitching about servers WHO ARE ANGRY ABOUT CUSTOMERS BEING IMPOLITE TWATS.
There, ftfy.
Also, not irony. The circle of life, rather.
SinCityKitty
So… we’re not doing real work, eh?? And I guess being a fucking comedian is a real job. I’d like to see what kind of service you’ll be getting from now on..
J. McClelland
Not only is it rude as hell, I’m more likely to get your order correct when you’re paying attention to the questions I’m asking.
Denise L
And while we’re at it, when a server or counter work asks greets you and asks how are you, the correct answer is never “diet coke”. And is it really so hard to make eye contact with them?
shanti
Merrick is a totally unfunny dickhead .. hope everyone talks on their phones through his next stand up gig (if he ever gets one)
My dog's human
So “vegemite-loving, koala-humping, Foster-drinking, shrimp on the barbie ass ” is poor form when writing a satirical blog? Me thinks someone is a bit too sensitive to follow the BITCHY Waiter. As far as this “comedian,” my god I couldn’t find a line he spoke that even made me smile. Talking about baristas and coffee is so 2007.
Hide
Wise man say : Don’t fuck with people who handle your food.
Sharon
Why is it always the ones who have an ego that is the biggest part of them??? *ahem* *wink-wink*
Well, I will give him this… he has let everyone know what he thinks of service workers. At least now, servers of all kinds can give him exactly the kind of service that his comments deserve.
I would never want to be the significant other of a person who is such a nasty person. Can you imagine going out to eat with him?
This kind of stuff often ends with someone being fired… usually the cute piece of work who mouthed off (tv/radio/social media) in the first place.
Merrilee
It’s just common courtesy – I don’t care who you are or what you are doing. When you have a personal interaction with another human being, you owe them your undivided attention. Period. Hang up the fucking phone for Christ’s sake. is this guy so self-involved that he can’t hang up for 5 minutes? What burning discussions is he having on the phone that are so VITALLY IMPORTANT to the fate of the world that he can’t remove the phone from his face?
He needs to get over himself.
Ellie
Hey. I am In the service industry. I am Australian. I used to think Merrick Watts was funny but agree his lack of understanding and respect for our industry is shit. I also loved reading you articles but your out dated Australian stereotypes are just as offensive. Maybe you should have thought more about this before you wrote the second half of this article.
The Bitchy Waiter
Sorry about that. Are the offensive or just incredibly lame? I vote for lame.
Summer
I thought they were funny….. 🙂
SororSalsa
I spent 3 weeks in Melbourne last summer, and I don’t know why anyone would be on the phone when they’re ordering their coffee because Melbourne baristas are some of the coolest, nicest people I’ve ever met. And most of the guys are gorgeous! I paid 100% attention whenever I placed an order.
Sara
I’ve actually had a customer come find me to apologize for talking on their phone while I was delivering their food. Some people still have manners, but they are few and far between.
Jeri Velgreen
Merrick Watts is about as funny as a fart in a crowded elevator.
Tommy D.
So someone who does stand up comedy insults someone else for not doing “real work?”
Sharon
Oh no you din’t…
(this was said with the common side order of head roll and shoulder bump.)
Good one!
Jayme
Thank you so much for saying this! I work in a fast food restaurant and it makes me so mad when someone pulls up to the drive thru talking on their phone. They’re all “hold on a sec, blah blah blah” and then I’m standing here like “who are you talking to? Me?” It’s beyond rude. And as far as homeboys “you’re not doing real work” comment… what does he think we’re doing? Yes, it might just be making burgers or coffee, but when you have a line out the door, does this guy think that is easy? Fifteen impatient people in a row talking on their cell phones bitching because they can’t use three coupons and that the price of the chicken nuggets went up?
Ginger
I’m on the other side of this. I work in a call center collecting on past due store cards. I get people on the phone all the time who think of simultaneously telling me they can’t afford to make a payment on their account, while asking me to hold on a moment for their explanation, which they’ll give right after that huge order they place in the drive through. And somehow it’s never like these people are just hitting the dollar menu and grabbing a quick snack. It’s legit always huge orders.
Ginger
That was supposed to say think NOTHING of…