Sunday, August 1, 2010

Table Waiting Woes

With money getting tight I've contemplated tying the apron back on and serving again for an under the table boost my wallet needs. I've waited tables pretty much all through high school and college, it's really not a bad gig if you are at the right place. However, the down side is my issue with tippers and their lack of understanding how the system works.

I completely agree that if you have awful service you shouldn't tip 20%, hell, you shouldn't tip 18%. I know when I worked, I worked hard for my money and if I messed up a table I didn't expect a good tip. However, you have certain individuals that use kitchen wait time as a way to get out of tipping. Last time I checked, I wasn't in front of the grill. If you have an issue with how long your food took, take it up with my man Edgar the line cook.

You also have the verbal tipper. "Laura, you did such a wonderful job" and "Best service I've ever had!" or even "Don't worry, I'ma hook you up." Then, you walk over to the book and you open it up thinking about how easy it will be to pay the bills this month and you're looking at a 10% tip or less. Whomp. Whomp. Guess what, your beautiful litany of compliments is awesome, however, Comcast isn't accepting a pat on the back to pay my cable bill.

So one day, I'm minding my own business, making my measly $2.13 at work when a news story comes on about Oprah and her money saving tips for people. You know Oprah with her everlasting wisdom raining down from the heavens and stay at home moms who hang on her every last word. Whether it is true or not, I don't really care, because it is this mentality that frustrates me. The gist of the report was it is a server's choice to work there and tipping is optional. Well, here is a money saving tip for you, instead of cheating your server out of money and pocketing and extra five bucks....go make your own dinner and save yourself at least forty dollars and a server a headache from dealing with someone like you.

As a server, you see it all and unless you walk a mile in our slip resistant shoes you will never fully understand.