dont piss off the people who make your food.

[treystiredmommy]

most of us have heard this cardinal rule either from family friends of movies.  i would just like to offer some advice on ways to get what you want without making your service people mad.

TOP 10 PET PEEVES

1. COUPONS  if you have coupons read them carefully.  most times multiple coupons wont be accepted for a single party.  even if you split the check if the coupon reads one per party your just wasting everyones time.  for the record, partty means people who request to sit together.  check means bill.  and no, 24.99 is not close enough to $25 to use the coupon.  dont yell at your server or penalize them for following the rules. they dont make them, but they do have to follow them.  helping you out especially for an unguaranteed tip isnt worth their jobs.

2.  YOUR KIDS  they are your kids not mine not the managers or anyone elses in the restaurant.  i should not have to wait for your child to stop playing in the aisle before i walk past with plates that are burning my finger prints off.  ive seen children walk into servers with full pots of hot coffee because they were running around like banshees.  its not pretty.  if your kids need to burn off energy before they sit down to eat or right after go to the park of mcdonalds.  your server has enough obstacles to navigate, your little hellion doesnt need to be one of them.

3.  TABLES VS. BOOTH  if the restaurant is busy and there is a waiting list dont be picky.  but most of all, dont let the hostess seat you at a table and then after she walks away decide youd rather have that both that just opened up.  if you dont want it speak up when you are being sat. it is a pain in butt to have a table order anything be it drink food or both and then decide they want to move. it may not be the same server covering that section and that causes a problem but even if it is you moving and then someone taking over your table is a problem because not only is it extra work for 2whoever is cleaning tables but now when you food comes out no one is gonna know where to bring ti because it is put in by table number.  just speak up immediately if you dont want a particular table.

4.  ORDERING  figure out what your ordering before your tell your server that you know.  servers are busy they dont have time to sit and listen to an arguement with your child over what they are haing for dinner.  make sure everyone knows.  questions are fine but have a back up plan in case you dont like the answer. 

5.  COMPLAINTS  if you have a problem with what you ordered dont eat half of it beofre you complain.  if the manager or server cant see the problem they cant fix it.  dont eat your fries then when they are all gone complain that you only got 4 of them.  they cant fix it at that point.  if your server cnat fix the problem ask for the manager.  but keep in mind portions are portions.  the only exception to this rule is if you find a hair in your food.  and remember we werent born last night.  dont try to blow smoke up our butts about things.  if you complain to the manager that your server was an idiot and this and that and they should be fired the manager already has an idea of their performance.  so please dont complain just to try to get a free meal. it wont happen.  weve heard it all and we do know better.

6.  COMPLIMENTS  please keep in mind everyone likes to hear something positive.  in addition to thanking your server for great service stop by and find a manager or ask to speak with one.  we all need to hear those things. 

7.  SPECIAL ORDERS  please keep in mind as i say this im not talking about people with allergies.  but if you make a special request like no tomato and your burger comes out with tomato just pick it off. servers make their best effort to honor all special requests as we know our tip depends on your perception of how we did but sometimes things get missed especially when its busy.  sending it back for a complete remake is asanine.  if a sauce is put on i understand sending it back as sauces dont easily come off but if its a tomato or pickle jsut pick it off.  and dont use the excuse i can still taste the juice. produce when it is in the kitchen is not kept in juice. 

8.  KID'S MENUS  they are called kids menus for a reason and every restaurant has an age limit.  if you are over that limit dont order off the menu.  its not for you.  yes its cheaper but the portions are smaller.  and if you are over the limit and told you can order the main dish but you cant have you drink included because you are too old dont yell at your server.  again they are following the rules.  same thing goes for the senior menu. if you want to order from there because of the smaller portions dont get mad if you are told you dont get everything included with it.  restaurants make these menus to meet the needs of sertain groups of people. 

9.  DRINK REFILLS  again going back to the fact that your server is aware that the money they make depends wholly on their service to you,  they make every effort to keep your drink filled.  snapping at, shaking your glass, or otherwise being obnoxious isnt going to make us move any faster.  realize that servers are busy people.  we make every effort to keep you happy but if your drinking fast or wait til we walk away to finish your drink then you arent helping us to help you.  if you need a refil politely say "ecxuse me. could i have another coke?"  we will get it.

10.  CONDIMENTS when you server drop food off at the table and asks anything else, give them a list of what you need. everyone. i woul rather get a 10 page list and go once than ten 1 page lists.  sometimes you forget something. we all have. but make sure you have it together before they walk away again, because by the third time our list of things to do is stacking up quickly and you may have to wait as you were already given a second chance.

sorry if it is ranting but please keep this in mind. it will make your dining experiences go much smoother.  and it there is anyone out ther who has something to add please feel free.