Hmmm...I've been a bit sappy and light lately. That's not a bad thing, but I'm feeling frisky and pissy today, so let's just run with it...
The older I get, the more I can't stand shitty customer service. Like waiters/waitresses for example. And don't get all defensive and weepy on me. I used to BE a waitress. Since I was fifteen actually. And on and off until my mid-twenties. So trust me. I get it. It's hard. I'm supposed to give you a break.
But that's exactly why I'm NOT giving you a break. It's not THAT hard. I mean really, there's five components: 1) get the beverage 2) take the order 3) bring the order 4) provide bill and facilitate payment transaction. 5) And don't forget, the very essence of the waiter/waitress job, is to make sure they have what they need. i.e. "Do you need anything else?"
That's the sequence. OVER and OVER again. All day. Every day. Since the beginning of time.
So sue me if I flag you down as you frolick by to your zero other tables after I've waited 20 minutes for the check. Or forgive my frustration when I timidly ask you for ketchup AGAIN.
Do not get me wrong. I respect the profession (its earnings helped me through college); it really CAN be hard. Customers suck. BUT I'm not in the sucky customer category. I'm nice.
It's very very easy to make me happy, to get a 20% tip and beyond. I was a waitress for YEARS, remember? I'm an empathetic customer. You follow the aforementioned five components...and you get an A+ from me. You don't even have to smile, I don't give a sh**.
So if it's all so easy, then WHY, in like 50% of my restaurant experiences, I sit without mayo for my fries??? I ASKED for it. Twice. I know you didn't ask me if I needed anything. How could you miss that step? But I told you anyway. Twice. I don't even like fries without mayo. Now they're cold.
Didn't you read the waitress training manual? O. Refer to paragraph three. Or if you forget the steps, just focus on that last one--you know, the very essence of your job.
I WISH I had the gumption to give you a less than 15% tip. Because if I did, I would. But I'm so 'i-used-to-be-a-waitress' engrained, that I fork over my dough for your craptastic service. Result? You got an undeserved tip. And I got my cold overpriced fries without mayo. Argh.
(P.S. I also want to give a shout out to all the good waitresses out there. Who I really really appreciate. When you care--not about me specifically but the human race or anything in general--just a teeny eensy bit, I enjoy my simple feast and I more than gladly thank you monetarily for it. I promise.)
8 comments:
this annoys me too and when i was a kid they only tipped 10-15% When did it sneak up to 20%? I keep reading that in lots of places and it feels like the service business deliberately underpays their people and I have to make up their salary. Who makes up these rules on who gets tipped? I just don't get it.
Darc-
this totally sounds like you- Sometimes i think the people that work at Kinko's trade professions and then decide to work in restraunts. They really should screen the people better! i bet u are going to start bringing your own mayo!
LOL!
I can almost forgive stupidity in any other service related category, but bad waitressing service? NO Way! YOu would think that when they are making LESS than minimum wage and must depend on their tips for the real cash flow, yeah I know,, and I sympathize with you.
stac: hey sis, i love you
anonymous and l.c.: seriously, WTF?! kids are spoiled these days. I had a gawdamn paper route at age 13, working my butt off through blizzards!
and don't forget, dog bites!
I think tips should be banned...tips should NEVER be expected. The "forced tip" has cheapened the service industry. Let me ask you this...why the #$%! does Starbucks workers get a tip? They freaking poured me a cup of overpriced coffee! If they get a tip then why dont McDonalds or Taco Bell put out a little jar? Its much worse to work at those places and I'm sure Starbucks workers get paid a lot more already. Not to mention the great benefits they get. You dont see a kid from McDonalds getting his teeth cleaned every 6 months on the company dime thats for sure. Not to mention...20%!!!??? Geez, many businesses dont make 20% margins! Tipping should be reserved for cows. You made a very good point on this one!
I'm with you Darcy. If I get great, hell even good service I will tip abundantly. if I get shitty service oh.. you're lucky you don't own a small furry animal cuz I'll stiff your ass and kick your pet on the way out. And i'm with the Greedy Bastard too... so many different services want tips these days.. hell i'm confused on who and who not to even give a tip too sometimes and that unwanted stress pisses me off! I mean you get a job to get paid, why the heck do I have to start chippin' in now too? Screw you for making me even think and worry about your financial state! That's your job.
thank you so much for the link! I used to be a waitress too, so like you, I'm over-empathetic with it all.
But COME ON!!
Some people are just not cut out for it, I guess. I don't know. It isn't hard.
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