It is often said that the customer is king. Certainly, but should it be abused? When you go to a restaurant, to enjoy impeccable service, you are also expected to behave in a dignified, correct and appropriate manner. Treating staff with respect is even a standard of culinary etiquette and decorum. Certain attitudes must be absolutely avoided.
Do you want to know what not to do? Waiters and restaurateurs tell us about some annoying and clumsy attitudes. Follow their advice and your restaurant experience will go smoothly.
Restaurant waitress – Source: spm
A matter of good manners and courtesy
When we reserve a table in the restaurant, we like to be treated like royalty and that all the staff take care of us. But, in return, servers also expect a modicum of respect, gratitude, and courtesy from their customers. Unfortunately, many people think that everything is allowed and behave in an execrable way. If you have already worked in a restaurant during your professional career, you know exactly what we are talking about and you have surely come across all the colors. Without generalizing either, it is not uncommon to come across arrogant customers, who criticize the service from start to finish, complain all the time and in the end leave a derisory tip.
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However, there is a big difference between being demanding and being disrespectful. In order for your dining experience to be a pleasant one, it is important to be kind, friendly, and forgiving to the waiter serving your table. And this, even if your expectations are not fully met. Respect for restaurant employees also reflects your good manners and good manners.
12 attitudes to banish when you are in the restaurant
Because he is a human being, like you, a waiter’s patience also has its limits. Of course, in order not to lose his job, he will not disrespect you. He will do violence to remain calm and continue his service with dignity. But it would be nice to know what are the habits that can irritate and exasperate him.
Here is a list of mistakes to avoid:
1. Claim one or more photos from the server
Surely you have noticed that very often it is the waiter himself who offers to take your photo when you celebrate a family birthday or spend a romantic moment together. On the other hand, when you call him out of the blue to take this photo when requested from all sides, you must know that it is quite annoying for him. The servers have a very specific schedule to follow in order to satisfy all of their customers. The slightest inconvenience can disrupt their schedule and prevent them from serving the tables, for which they are responsible, in a timely manner.
2. Stack the plates and place them at the end of the table
You’re at the end of the meal, and since the waiter has been especially friendly and attentive, you want to make it easy for him by stacking the plates on top of each other. You install them at the end of the table so he can grab them quickly. It’s very nice of him, but this gesture may annoy his servant. Sure, most employees say they’re touched by the kind behavior of some customers, but you might just interrupt the way they work. If you want to lend a hand to the waiter, be sure to take care when stacking plates, as an unbalanced, wobbly stack can topple over on the way to the kitchen. If you think you don’t have the proper technique, then it’s best to abstain.
Call the waiter in the restaurant – Source: spm
3. Snap your fingers to get their attention
In the cinema it is common to whistle or snap your fingers to call the waiter. But, in real life, this attitude is downright rude. This does not stop many customers from continuing to challenge the staff in this most unpleasant way. Still, it costs nothing to be polite and get their attention with a “please” or “excuse me”!
4. Fighting over the bill is embarrassing.
While you negotiate with your friends to find out who should pay for the food or how to decide between this bill, the waiter, for his part, stands impatiently waiting for you to finally decide to pay. And, you can imagine, he has other fish to fry. Therefore, try to be a little more diligent in releasing him and allowing him to take care of his own business.
5. Not telling him what you need
Some people have a bad meal because they don’t dare comment or prefer not to bother the waiter. However, tell yourself that it is part of your job to satisfy him and meet his expectations. If you are not satisfied with your dish or if you run out of ketchup, he must tell you on the spot. Don’t reduce your tip on the pretense that the service wasn’t up to your standards. It’s pretty unfair, isn’t it?
6. Calling the waiter while he is busy at another table
Employees cannot be in the furnace and in the mill. If you notice your server taking an order from the table next to you or dropping food there, wait until they’re done or in your line of sight to claim what you want. He is not only rude but also selfish to other customers who also deserve the same attention as you.
7. Get comfortable in a tight area
When the restaurant is full, especially at peak hours, some customers may be in the way of the servers. If you’re sitting in a narrow room or along an aisle and you’re interfering with access to other tables, be respectful and move your seat around a bit to allow for smoother service. Also, if you are having dinner with children, place them in the narrowest part of the table so that the adults have more space to sit.
8. Order too late
For a waiter, there is nothing more annoying than an indecisive customer or one who waits a long time to place their order. Of course, it is perfectly acceptable for him to ask for a few more minutes to make his choice while he browses the menu, especially when he discovers this menu for the first time. However, if the waiter comes back to see you two or three times, and you still haven’t made up your mind or, worse yet, you haven’t even looked at the menu, it’s very irritating. The impatience of the waiter is noticeable. Before embarking on a heated debate with your companions, be sure to take a short break to place your order to save time.
9. Talking on the phone at the table is rude and boring!
We didn’t think so at the time, but it’s still rude and disrespectful to be on the phone and order at the same time. It’s very annoying, both for the server and the person on the other end of the line. Just as it is rude to be surrounded by people and manipulate the mobile all the time. When you go out to a restaurant it is a good time to disconnect and enjoy the evening to the fullest, so remember to put your mobile away. Of course, if you get an urgent call, excuse yourself and walk away from the table.
10. Have a familiar attitude with the waiter or waitress
Often at night the alcohol flows freely. Is this a reason to allow yourself to touch the waiter or to behave inappropriately with the restaurant staff? The slightest familiar gesture can be misinterpreted, even a simple touch on the shoulder. Unless you have known the server for years and have a friendly relationship, it is particularly inappropriate to behave in this way. Even less to insult, verbally assault or come to blows over a cold dish or any inconvenience.
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11. Pour things into your drink
Even if you can’t stand the clutter on the table, don’t allow yourself to slip your napkin, a sugar packet, or any other wrapper into the empty glasses. When cleaning the table, it is unpleasant for the waiter to have to remove a dirty napkin from the glass. To make things easier for him, leave your napkin on the table where he can pick it up quickly and easily. Sometimes you think you’re doing the right thing when you’re actually making it harder for him.
12. Leave children unsupervised
Taking children to the restaurant is sometimes a real challenge. Because young children can’t stand to sit quietly for a long time. After a while they get bored and we need to vent. And, all too often, many parents end up giving in and agreeing to allow their children to go for a walk in the area, before the dishes arrive or towards the end of the meal. However, this can quickly turn into a disaster. By running around or shouting, they annoy other customers, but they also prevent the servers from working properly. It is not uncommon for plates and glasses to end up spinning causing problems for children. You also don’t want your little one to end up tripping over a server and getting covered in spaghetti. So make sure you accompany your young children so they don’t cause this type of incident, so they don’t bother anyone and also so they don’t get lost easily.
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