Recently at a restaurant, I witnessed an unpleasant (albeit common) incident – there was this young couple that was fussing around and almost humiliating the waiter for not serving them properly…this reminded me of my college days when I used to work as a server at the local café. Here, based on my personal experience, I am sharing the top 10 things that tick off a waiter – read them and try to be 

better customers. 

1. Taking ages to decide what to order: A waiter has to serve at least 5 or more tables at the same time. If you take hours to decide upon your order, you are obstructing the entire service flow of the restaurant and causing inconvenience to all the people in the restaurant. Above all, irritating the waiter at the very first instance will only ensure you with a poor service and nothing else.

2. Changing your mind after placing the order: This I believe is worst that taking time to place an order. A confused customer is someone that all waiters hate to serve. Once you place an order – the kitchen is already informed about it and the preparations have already begun…changing your order will only delay the service and hamper you eating out experience.

3. Shouting out for the waiter when (s)he is visibly busy with another customer: You are not the only customer and yours is not the only table in the restaurant, there are other people that the server has to attend. So, be patient and wait for the waiter to free himself. One more thing I observe is some people behave as if the waiter has some personal vendetta against them and is purposefully ignoring them – well, believe me, waiters are no maniacs and if you have not done any personal harm to them they will not mean harm to you either.

4. “5 mins or I leave!” : Again, setting time limits to the service – a complete no! Agreed everyone expects timely service and no one likes to wait; however, we all have to face rush hours and things take more time than usual during such times. If you wish for prompt service then, please, avoid rush hours or choose a restaurant where there are not as many customers.

5. Snapping fingers: Waiters are there to serve you the food and ensure that you have a good time whilst you dine, but that does not make them your slaves. Snapping fingers is the worst way to get the attention of a waiter. In fact, I remember, as a waiter, I would never respond to people making such gestures and always wait until they chose a more civil way of calling me.

6. Screaming or making rude remarks: Mistakes happen – waiters are humans too, but screaming, making rude remarks, or verbal abuses are not the way to treat a server. These actions only speak about you attitude and spoil not only the waiter’s day but also that of the other people around.

7. Insisting on getting the temperature settings of room changed: Again, you are not the only person in the room – the temperature setting has been made for the convenience of the majority of the people. If you feel the room is too cold, then wear a sweater or remove your jacket if its too hot. 

8. Out of control kids: Restaurant is a place where people come out to relax and have food; it is not the training ground for little kids! Little brats screaming at the top of their voice, running around the place, tearing up the napkins and throwing food everywhere is the last thing that a waiter expects to handle in his shift. Moreover, with hot food, trays full of breakable table ware, knives, forks, and waiters rushing all over the place, restaurant is pretty dangerous for kids. Hence, think twice before getting young children out to dine.

9. Complaining too much: The food is too cold or too hot, the plates are not set right, the service is slow, blah blah blah…please give a break to your waiter. Being finicky will only irritate the waiter and make him start ignoring your rants. 

10. Being a poor tipper: As a waiter, I remember, the most demanding customers were always the poorest tippers…Nothing can piss off a waiter as much as a poor tipper can. No amount of compliments and praises will ever make up for the tips. If you wish to have good service each time you visit the restaurant remember to tip well – a minimum of 12% at the most. 

Above all, remember that a waiter has to face all kinds of people through the day and ensure that each one of them is kept happy – this is no mean job. So, guys, the next time you visit a restaurant, please show some courtesy towards the waiters, and stop being boorish and ticking off the waiter. 

Image credits: safeworkers.co.uk, blogspot.com, sanfrancisco.grubstreet.com