It’s always fun for me to respond to an article about what some basic Becky has to say about a restaurant experience. Such is the case with an article called “Are These Unrealistic Expectations From Waitstaff?” that was written for a website called Times Union. For the most part, I tend to agree with the writer, but I still want to take each point and clarify.
- Clear the app and dinner plates before bringing dessert. Yes, I agree that this is how it should happen.
- Walk with some sort of purpose, and interest, throughout the crowded dining room rather than strolling at the pace of a 98-year-old with a walker after hip surgery. Well, listen Becky. Sometimes, after working two doubles in a row and making three dozen trips to the same table because they only know how to ask for things one at a time, my 48-year-old ass has no choice but to walk slowly. And I always walk with purpose, it’s just that sometimes the purpose is more for me than for a customer. For example, when I am walking out of the dining room because I can’t stand looking at my customers anymore.
- Know the menu. I agree.
- Check back within a few minutes of bringing the entrees to confirm everything came out right. I agree as long as customers agree to tell me that something is wrong within those few minutes rather than waiting until they have eaten two-thirds of it and then saying the steak was overcooked and now they want it taken off the bill.
- Take a drink order within five or so minutes of your being seated. I agree. However, don’t say you’re going to be ready and then not be ready. I do not have time for that.
- Not ask “well can you just eat it like that” when you’re pregnant and not allowed to eat blue cheese yet your salad is topped with veiny crumbles. I agree, but this sounds like a very specific happening and I don’t think it’s representative of servers at all.
- Introduce him or herself when coming to the table…it’s much more polite to refer to someone by name “hey you over there” if you’d like a beverage refill. Ummm, I’m not going to bother telling you my name because nine times out of ten you won’t remember it. And if you don’t know the name of your server, there are ways to ask for things other than saying “hey you over there.” C’mon Becky, that’s just rude. How about saying “excuse me, miss?” That would work. Just because you don’t know the name of the person who is serving you is no reason to be rude.
- Carry more than one plate at a time when clearing the table. Ideally, yes, but if a server can only carry one plate at a time, he probably has a good reason for doing so, like maybe his other hand is hidden in his apron giving you the finger.
- Not say “be careful, the plate is incredibly hot” then set said plate right in front of the toddler. Where else are we supposed to put hot plates other than the table? If there are four people and all four people have plates, chances are each one of them is going to get a plate set in front of them, hot or otherwise. If a child burns his hand on a sizzling fajita skillet, maybe the parents can use it as a learning opportunity and say something like, “Sorry, Junior. He told you the plate was hot. Maybe next time you’ll listen, you little asshole.”
- Not slap down the dessert menu when you explicitly state you’re full and not interested in dessert. Sorry, Basic Becky, but if you’re eating at Applebee’s or TGI Fridays, it’s part of the script. We have to say it. Restaurants know that if you see a photo of the triple chocolate crunch pie, you’re more likely to order it. Use your resolve, pretend the server just offered you a hit off a bong and just say “no.”
Here is the original article if you want to go drop your two cents.
CincyDrunk
Lmao, at my restaurant we’re not supposed to give our name unless asked. It’s part of the training to not give a name. I’ll occasionally give mine at the end of a greet.. “And if there’s anything I can do for you this evening, my name is CincyDrunk, I’ll be taking care of you.”
Now, kids and hot plates are where I have mixed feelings. I’m a nonparent on purpose, but my sister has two young kids. (bless your soul if you have to wait on her ever, she’s a bitch to waitstaff) If the kid is little, I usually give their food to the parent anyways. If the plate is “warm” (warm to me, hot to normal people) I warn them. And sometimes I’ll bring an extra app plate for the kiddo so they don’t risk burning their precious little fingers. (a suggestion crazybitchsister gave me that I can kind of agree with)
All that being said, hot food should be served on hot plates dammit.
Kim
I disagree with the insistence that the server carry more than one plate at a time, when clearing a table. Some restaurants, though not the type Becky frequents, require one hand/one plate. It’s considered gauche to stack plates, even dirty ones. But, they probably dont have high chairs either…
Juniper Castro
Bitchy Waiter, I agree with you wholeheartedly on every point. Who does Miss Becky think she is giving us advice that’s not advice but nonsense. Please continue to address ridiculous articles written for those who have to pound the rubber with black thick shoes…kitchen.
Rachael
I do agree with the one about the hot plate and the toddler. Telling a 1 year old not to touch the plate and setting it down right in front of them is just dumb. My husband and I had to act quickly and jump up ourselves (burning our fingers) to get Hot plates away from our child on many occasions. Set those hot plates in front of the parents, please!
Michael
When having a small child at a table, please put the child as far from where the food is being delivered. I often have to pass hot food and drinks directly over a one year old who reaches for everything because the parents want the kid on the end of the table and not against the wall or out of the path where the servers need to walk. Kids will sit where they are told, that is why they have parents, to protect and teach them. Don’t expect the server to be your child’s guardian.
Tiff
I LOVE the comment on the “Carry more than one plate at a time ” lmao
Markie
Been following since you were on Dr Phil 🙂 & now that ive become a server myself, your posts have become that much more hilarious!
Susannah
Pregnant women can eat blue cheese as long as it’s pasteurized, and I would guess it is at 99% of restaurants. Also I would bet that the menu did alert you to the fact that it has blue cheese, you just forgot to tell your server to leave it off, very possibly because it was listed as gorgonzola, and you, who are so very cultured, didn’t know that gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese and now the restaurant has to throw away a perfectly good salad due to your ignorance.
Meh
To be fair with the bleu cheese… If you’re in the US your cheese is legally required to be pasturized and your chances of being exposed to the bacteria that can cause miscarriages is nearly non-existant. It’s like saying you can’t have a california roll (cooked crab) because you’re pregnant. You don’t need to restrict yourself as much as the media likes to pretend you do. You can still have a life, I promise
Tabby
This. All the time I hear a new, “I’m pregnant so I can’t have xyz.” My kid is 4 and I wasn’t told 90% of this stuff while I was pregnant.