Servers strike back
Recently, we asked readers to tell us their restaurant gripes. They were only too happy to oblige.
As you might imagine, more than a few local waiters and waitresses were none too happy about our Restaurant Rants page. Fair is fair, so we offered to run a list of their rebuttals.
Because they, too, asked for anonymity, the following responses can be attributed to simply a south suburban restaurant's waitstaff.
Diners' gripe: Having to wait for the entire party before being seated.
Servers say: Too many times we have a table for 20 set up and only 10 or 12 show up. There have been times when guests are seated ahead of their group at a table in a servers station and the rest of the group doesn't come for an hour. I have had tables that have completed their meal and then the remaining couple shows up and starts the service from the beginning. So, as a server I have lost at least one turn on one or two tables (depending on the size of your group) This is how we earn our pay, we get no real hourly wage. Having guests wait until the party is complete is standard.
And if you can not make your reservation, please call and cancel. Tables get set up in advance. If you do not come, and we don't find this out until your table has been left unseated for 30 minutes past your reservation time, we again loose a complete opportunity to have sat and served those tables.
Diners' gripe: Inattentive service.
Servers say: When we come to your table to greet you, please don't ignore our greeting and just say, "We'll take two Lite beers." Please look at us. And if you could not be on your phone that would be great too.
Diners' gripe: We want separate checks.
Servers say: These are a server's pain. Orders go in as one and later need to be split to accommodate singles, families, couples. Get out the calculator. Many restaurants do not provide this service. And what really burns us is when you are out with four friends, ask for separate checks, and then you all order the same thing. Can't you just divvy the check up - put a little more in if you drank or had a more costly meal.
Diners' gripe: Other diners' unruly children.
Servers say: It is really the parents responsibility to handle their children. If it bothers you please tell them, we want you to. As servers, we really can't step over that line.
Diners' gripe: Feeling rushed.
Servers say: Choose the right restaurant for the night out that you want. Many restaurants are geared to "Turn & Burn." If you still want to eat there, tell your server from the beginning that you are not in a hurry. Don't give your whole order at once, then it can't be ordered. But in the same breath, please pay your server for the extra time which you have held that table. Then you both get the experience you want.
Diners' gripe: Inexperienced waitstaff.
Servers say: If you are looking for great service, you have to go to a long-standing restaurant or a higher-end one in the area. Or downtown. The number of seasoned servers in the area is limited, those who have been doing this for years. Being a server is usually a drive-by job for most people, usually teens, kids home from college, those looking for a couple shifts for extra spending money. As a full time job, a career, there aren't too many of us left. But if you're lucky enough to get one of us to serve you, you won't care about the little things. You'll have the best night out, or lunch out, you'll tell your friends and you'll be back - because of us.