ADVERTISEMENT

Hello, dear Readers, welcome to Bored Panda. We’ll be your witty servers this evening. We have something tantalizing to share with you. The main dish consists of hilariously relatable server life memes with a side dish of, “Oh, God, that’s literally my life.” And for dessert, we have a fabulous concoction that we like to call Laughing Through The Pain(™). What can we get you to drink with that?

Working as a server or waiter can be utterly exhausting, thoroughly frustrating, and make you reevaluate what you think you know about humankind. It’s a tough job that can leave you daydreaming about greener pastures. The r/Serverlife subreddit is an online community that is dedicated to servers to talk and vent about work. Some of their memes are absolutely hilarious… and incredibly relatable to anyone who’s ever waited tables.

Scroll down for their funniest and most accurate memes, Pandas. While you’re upvoting the memes that hit waaay too close to home (or, well, work), have a think about what tips you’d share with someone who just started waiting tables. Don’t forget to tip your servers!

#1

A Spanish Speaking Couple Came Into The Restaurant Today. She Translated This On Her Phone For Me. Made My Day

A Spanish Speaking Couple Came Into The Restaurant Today. She Translated This On Her Phone For Me. Made My Day

MiaPharaoh_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
therealpandazog avatar
Blurryface
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hello Pandas, and a pleasant evening to you all. Burnt Bagel has chosen to try and become banned tonight, but can we try not downvoting him, instead, we could each leave a mildly disapproving comment, or a wickedly sarcastic one. No worries if it’s a bad idea. :) Have a happy day!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The r/Serverlife subreddit has been around for more than 8 years. It was founded all the way back in late May of 2014. At the time of writing, the community was 73.3k members strong.

The mod team invites redditors to take off their aprons, have a glass, and chat about work. “Cause c'mon, as much as you act like you don't wanna talk about it, you do. I know!” Aside from hilarious memes, these internet users also speak up about their job experiences. Rude customers are just the tip of the iceberg!

#4

Amen

Amen

Disastrous-Battle-82 , twitter.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
thesocialcreditdeleter avatar
The Drowning Gorilla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly! Don't experiment on animals, experiment on people who thought waiters are clueless animals.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

At the core of working as a server lies a singular mission: making your guests’ experience at the restaurant memorable. In a good way, of course! Nobody wants to have wine spilled all over their fancy clothes, after all.

ADVERTISEMENT

A great waiter is bound to have high emotional intelligence. In other words, they know how to communicate well with others, can adapt to unexpected social situations, and will be able to make someone feel right at home.

#7

Compliments To The Chef

Compliments To The Chef

meowzra , twitter.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

This Family Overheard Me Being Called The N Word And Cheered Me Up

This Family Overheard Me Being Called The N Word And Cheered Me Up

imbalancedlibra82 Report

Waiting on someone is all about balance. You have to be welcoming and helpful without groveling. You have to be genuinely pleasant without pretending to be over-the-top happy that your table is about to have the most amazing time everrrr! Professional, calm, and always present without disturbing anyone.

A great server enhances the entire dining experience and ensures repeat customers. Meanwhile, a bad server is someone who drives everyone away with rudeness, incompetence, and arrogance. In other words, any restaurant is more or less an accurate microcosm of human society!

#10

“Waiting Tables Is Just Entry Level Work. Anybody Can Do It…”

“Waiting Tables Is Just Entry Level Work. Anybody Can Do It…”

caribouMARVELOUS Report

Add photo comments
POST
jjblue avatar
JJ Blue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a former servant, I mean server with many years of experience it is not just physical. The memory retention, multi tasking, attention to detail, and customer service skills necessary are beyond the scope of the average human. Thus the insanely high turn over rate.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Upvote Or Face 10 Shifts Bad Luck

Upvote Or Face 10 Shifts Bad Luck

LukewarmLatte Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Sooner or later, you’ll have to deal with a rude customer. There’s hardly a job in the world without run-ins with unpleasant peeps from time to time. But in the food service industry, it’s part and parcel of the job experience. Servers don’t just take your orders, bring you food, and send you the check in paper airplane form. They’re problem solvers! They are the face of the entire establishment and act as the bridge between the hungry-hungry customers and the kitchen.

So there you are, always on your feet, dealing with dissatisfaction, and juggling gastronomic vernacular as well as Gordon Ramsay. If you work at a fancy restaurant with a good reputation, and you’ve got a ton of experience to back up your awesome skills, you can rest assured—you’re financially stable. However, if you’re employed at your regular, run-of-the-mill restaurant, whether you’re compensated fairly depends a lot on your country’s laws.

#13

I Need A Job

I Need A Job

santanabanana , twitter.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
geethas avatar
Geetha s
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is wrong with The US??? No Health Care... No living Wages for essential workers... No Jobs... Are you all alright? Do y'all need help? Are you guys held hostage and will be executed if y'all speak up? Is the FBI gonna come after me for this comment?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

For instance, tipping your server isn’t a custom that’s regularly practiced in European countries. There are laws in place which mean that the service charge is already included in the price you see on the menu. Things are pretty darn straightforward.

Meanwhile, in the US, it all depends on your particular state. If you’re considered to be a ‘tipped employee,’ the way your minimum wage is calculated can be very different from the actual minimum wage. Say you’re living in California, right? The minimum wage there is $15/hour. Meanwhile, the tipped wage is also $15/hour. However, in Alabama, the minimum wage is $7.25. The tipped wage? $2.13. The rest of their wage comes from tips. This means that some American servers desperately need their customers to tip. And to tip well.

#16

The Sunday Brunch Crowd Has Finally Been Served

The Sunday Brunch Crowd Has Finally Been Served

Smooth_Leopard4725 Report

Add photo comments
POST
lunacrow avatar
Luna Crow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok. But other than that slapped-on title, what does this have to do with the service industry?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Table Of 12 People, Last To Leave The Restaurant. Totally Worth It!!

Table Of 12 People, Last To Leave The Restaurant. Totally Worth It!!

Major_Emphasis3101 Report

Add photo comments
POST
vasanaphong424 avatar
Vasana Phong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son who works as a server, told be all tips made that day are split equally with all the servers, I think this is a bad idea, also he just told me his employer sent out a memo that they will be getting a portion of their tips( now this isn’t a mom and pop) it’s a ok sized chain) is any of this legal? He said lots of servers already quit

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

This Happened Last Night

This Happened Last Night

icedcoffee4eva Report

Add photo comments
POST
vasanaphong424 avatar
Vasana Phong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son just started a job as a server, they close at about 10 this day, his dad waited until 11, he said the restaurant has to serve people that come in before 10, so yep people really come in at 9:50 and order food and drinks, one day he said 3 different people came in 5 minutes before closing, who the hell does that??

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

When your ability to put food on the table and keep a roof over your family’s heads depends almost entirely on the goodwill of your customers, you’re left with a ton of pressure in your daily life. If you happen to get a stingy or rude customer, you might not be able to make ends meet.

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, not everyone who’s rude to their waiters is evil incarnate. Some folks simply had a bad day. However, there are people out there who use their rudeness as a weapon, trying to weasel out discounts and to generally make others have an awful day. The way to handle them is to stay professional throughout the interaction. Try not to take their comments personally. If you’re harassed, however, speak to your manager. Ask them to step in.

#20

Customers Have Been Completely Unhinged Post-Quarantine

Customers Have Been Completely Unhinged Post-Quarantine

tisonlikebison Report

Add photo comments
POST
tarabaxter avatar
Sweetpotato314
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a teacher, I'd say the same about students. I've never seen them the way they are now. I get that the pandemic was hard on them, but most have zero empathy anymore, and one of my favorite things about my students was how much empathy they had. They're vicious now.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

I Love Our Cooks But This Is How It Is At The Restaurant I Work At Lol (Slight Exaggeration)

I Love Our Cooks But This Is How It Is At The Restaurant I Work At Lol (Slight Exaggeration)

princessedaisy Report

A while back, Bored Panda spoke to a server at a fancy restaurant, who had once waited on the musician, Seal. “He could not have been nicer. Tipped well, made friendly, genuine, conversation with the staff, just radiated kindness. It was really an encounter I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” she told us during an interview, earlier.

Unfortunately, not everyone was as pleasant to work with as him. The server explained to Bored Panda that before the Covid-19 pandemic, the biggest challenge was working for little pay. Since the start of the pandemic, some new problems appeared alongside the abysmal wages that are unable to catch up with inflation. Some customers physically threatened the members of staff over safety requirements. Others pick fights over insignificant details. More and more people have been on edge.

ADVERTISEMENT
#22

I Haven’t Served In A Year Because Of The Pandemic (I Miss It) But I Saw This Photo And Immediately Was Triggered. I Thought I’d Share With Fellow Servers

I Haven’t Served In A Year Because Of The Pandemic (I Miss It) But I Saw This Photo And Immediately Was Triggered. I Thought I’d Share With Fellow Servers

reddit.com Report

#23

It Finally Happened!! Told My Customer I Would Be Lucky If I Made $200 On This Horrific Shift, And He Made Sure I Did. People Can Be Great

It Finally Happened!! Told My Customer I Would Be Lucky If I Made $200 On This Horrific Shift, And He Made Sure I Did. People Can Be Great

rluw Report

Add photo comments
POST
ryangmorgan31 avatar
FlatEarf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This mother fluffer ordered a tea and left a 200 dollar tip at 1:43 in the morning

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Forever The Struggle

Forever The Struggle

portado11 , twitter.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
maria_tassis avatar
Potty pagan panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Been there. Time goes sooo much faster when you’re busy and bonus! - you don’t need gym membership

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“I spend more time now soothing tantruming adults than I do running food. Just last night a customer followed me out to the parking lot and tried to take down my license plate because I charged him for extra ketchup, (as per our business policy, written on the menu),” the restaurant employee revealed to us.

“So, the biggest problem with being a server right now is, in short, that many people treat us as sub-human trash. Say hello, look us in the eye when you order, leave a tip, and don’t call us names or threaten us. Is it so much to ask?” she said.

#25

Yall

Yall

notamurderer_promise Report

Add photo comments
POST
johnbarber avatar
John Barber
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked at a place in Alaska where I was the only line cook without a tracking bracelet.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

Door Dasher Asked For A Drink Holder…. Hold My Apron

Door Dasher Asked For A Drink Holder…. Hold My Apron

cvayle Report

“The essence of being a good server is making sure everyone leaves the meal having had a nice time. The essence of being a great server is making sure everyone leaves the meal having had a memorable time. I’m always on the lookout for anything extra I can do to make the night special for our guests. If I overhear a birthday mentioned, we bring out a piece of cake. If someone comes in wearing a Dolphins jersey, we’ll turn on that game if they’re playing. We take pride in our work.”

If you happen to see someone raging at a server, think about stepping in. Even if they appear to be unbothered by all of the rudeness, it means a lot to the staff to have someone on their side.

#29

Order

Order

caitlynhow Report

Add photo comments
POST
briandroste avatar
Brian Droste
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have friend who does that sometimes. I get irritated with him if he orders something a head I of me. Waiting for him to get done so I can order what I want w/o modify my order.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“The server may look unbothered, but that’s because it’s their job. ‘The customer is always right,’ is one of the only pieces of training many of us get. It is literally our job to be sure tables leave happy. We cannot argue with you. So, just because they’re smiling on the outside doesn’t mean they’re not offended, or even feeling unsafe, on the inside,” the server told Bored Panda.

“If you’re not comfortable saying something to the abusive customer directly, just find a manager and quietly inform them of what’s going on, they’ll take it from there. A lot of servers are students who are too nervous about losing the job or looking unprofessional to ask for help. And, as someone eating in the restaurant rather than working there, your words will carry far more weight with the harasser than ours would anyways.”

#31

You Want The Behind The Scenes Dining Experience... You Got It

You Want The Behind The Scenes Dining Experience... You Got It

evalouise90 Report

#32

This, But With Coffee

This, But With Coffee

Mirantibus88 Report

#33

No, Its Ok, I'm Not Busy Or Anything

No, Its Ok, I'm Not Busy Or Anything

LurkisMcGurkis Report

#34

I’ve Seen It Too Many Times

I’ve Seen It Too Many Times

Independent_genZ Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#37

Impossible

Impossible

GoodSquirrelGoneBad Report

Add photo comments
POST
ryangmorgan31 avatar
FlatEarf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we add some sprite into that mix too? Sprite is always good cold or warm weather sprite is yummy

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Pain

Pain

mullethaver Report

Add photo comments
POST
vasanaphong424 avatar
Vasana Phong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can’t afford to tip then you obviously can’t afford to eat out either

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Anyone Else?

Anyone Else?

aatlasfalls Report

Add photo comments
POST
cassilyris avatar
Cassi Lyris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or even better, they're changing their baby on the table. That happened to me more than never, and that's way too damned much.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

If You Know, You Know

If You Know, You Know

wetkneeee Report

#42

Also During That Sunday Brunch Shift!

Also During That Sunday Brunch Shift!

OnTheCouchBored Report

#43

A Fellow Server Got Hit Tonight

A Fellow Server Got Hit Tonight

exitsilverlegion Report

Add photo comments
POST
cali-tabby-katz avatar
Lakota Wolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Times are tough! Not so tough that we can't spend $123 on dinner. But too tough to spend more than $130. Nothing personal!"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

Every. Freaking. Table

Every. Freaking. Table

sizlecs Report

Add photo comments
POST
rob_mime avatar
Telepathetic
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

14 years cook/fast casual and never saw servers wash lemons--even if there was moldy ones in the case

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

Is This Legal? (In Mississippi For Context)

Is This Legal? (In Mississippi For Context)

Fit_Ad3301 Report

Note: this post originally had 46 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.

See Also on Bored Panda