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The first thing I’ll do after quarantine and this pandemic mess is go to a restaurant. I want to see how it feels to be welcomed, seated, asked ‘what would you like to order?’, be showered with ‘excellent choice,’ poured a glass of Chardonnay, and make up my mind what to get for dessert.

Most importantly, it’s the opportunity to be smiled at and smiled to, joyfully and with ease, like nothing else exists in this world except that restaurant, the food, your companion… and the server.

But this is where it gets tricky. In such a lovely environment like a restaurant, servers still have to deal, time to time, with a fair share of serial a-holes. And it’s not a-holes per se that annoy the heck of them, it’s their a-hole behaviors that refuse to abide by unwritten rules.

For those who’re wondering what the unwritten rules actually are, I’d say it’s half common sense, half being polite, patient, and understanding. But let’s hear from the servers themselves who shared honest responses to the “What unwritten rules do restaurant servers wish patrons would abide by?” question posted on Quora.

#1

Crying Children And Adults Who Ignore It

Crying Children And Adults Who Ignore It When children cry and cry and cry and cry in a restaurant, other people find it annoying. Please, take your child outside for a moment to calm him down.

Edith Deween Report

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people think of this as "that spoiled brat", but it usually are the adults to condemn and the children to pity.

karenjohnston avatar
Louloubelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn't agree more, Hans. My kids were always great in restaurants. But I had twins, and the upside is twins (at least mine) learn patience and that they aren't the center of the universe. I always got compliments about how well behaved they were. I didn't have to do much, just stop the behavior when it did go sideways. What amazes me is that these parents lives would be so much easier if their kids didn't get out of hand.

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Requiem
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We grew up knowing we would be in s**t for acting out in public, and would be sitting in the car and never going to a restaurant agian

stacywinnubst avatar
SBW71
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is so irritating. If you can't teach your kid to behave then eat at home!

aliquida avatar
Aliquid A
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can't "teach" a small kid to behave like that... it just doesn't work, they are not mentally capable of even comprehending "behaving". If you are talking about a 7 year old, then sure, you can teach them... but a 2 or 3 year old? If the kid behaves, it is luck not teaching. -- The adult is the one that has to know how to behave. 1st - make sure the kid has had a nap before you go to the restaurant. 2nd - make sure they had a snack. The #1 reason a kid is out of control is if they are hungry or tired. 3rd, if the kid throws a fit anyway, take them out to the car right away, and calm them down. -- With my 2 kids, I rarely had a problem in public, because I altered my schedule to meet the kids sleep/eat schedule. I only had one problem at a restaurant, and I took the kid out immediately. I couldn't calm them down, so I called my wife on her cell and said, "finish your meal and take mine to go, I'll wait in the car".

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Alethia Nyx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just crying, when people let their kids run amok! It's a restaurant, not an indoor play centre, there are waiters with hot and breakable things, and other guests, who may well be trying to enjoy a break from their own kids.

marythepoem avatar
Mary Peace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you Alethia, I think this is worse than the crying, because they could stop but don't.

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CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have a child who can’t control themselves then maybe hire a sitter or don’t eat out

maddie-star-2 avatar
Maddie Star ⭐
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mewton’s Third Paw, I asked the question in response to the same repeated statements, and look I will say it again here but to you again, what should we do? lock all children with a disability away?

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Maria Bustamante
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This bothers me so much more now that I'm a parent. 99% of the time if your kid is crying, they need something. We took our son to a fancy restaurant one time in his life (he's 4) and only because it was his grandpa's 80th birthday and they insisted he be there too. He was 2 at the time and he screamed bloody murder as soon as we set foot inside the restaurant. I didn't know what was wrong, but I took him to the car immediately to try to figure out why he was crying and to calm him down. Ignoring your kid's crying just makes the parents look like assholes to me.

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lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was having lunch with a friend at an Italian restaurant. It wasn't full, plenty of tables,. but they seated a man and woman and two small girls. Everyone was dressed very nicely, especially the two little girls. Actually they looked great, pretty little white dresses with full skirts, pink over skirt, full sleeves, their hair was done really cute but I though "oh, crap." Anyway, they only ordered "dessert." The two little girls were so polite and quiet their parents talked to each other, the little girls said "please and thank you." It was so wonderful. When we got out bill I told the waitress to put their check on mine and not tell them until they asked for their check. I just wanted to say "thank you for raising to amazing children." How sad it is that is considered "amazing."

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep and they think just because they can block it out it means everyone else can too. No, not everyone has such a miserable lifestyle to be used to something so unacceptable

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Ivana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids will act up in public, it will happen. However, that doesn't mean you don't remove them or try to quite them down. At even the hint of a tantrum, my mother had us out the door to have a 'serious' conversation about her taking us home and never taking us out again if we couldn't behave. If we continued, we went home. Home was an hour away from civilization, a trip to the grocery store once a week was exciting. If she had to take us home on the few times we went out, she wouldn't even take us to the grocery store with her for over a month.

dremosley avatar
Dre Mosley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Other diners want you to take your crying child outside too.

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JustAWeirdoGirlChild
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my parents try to calm down my baby brother as fast as they possibly can cuz we understand how annoying it is

stormydreamer avatar
Deej Corbett
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It isn't pleasant when a kid is screaming or crying in a restaurant, everyone can agree. Yes, most of the time kids cry for a reason, we agree to that too. It's a pretty common practice to not negotiate with terrorists. If your child is being a terrorist, calming them by bribing them etc is not being a good parent. Taking them out of the situation to have a conversation with them would be acceptable. Rewarding bad behavior is never acceptable and it doesn't mean you're a bad parent if you let your kid be upset that they can't have mac and cheese.

connie_4 avatar
Connie Muse
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This drives me crazy when I'm at a restaurant, too. Just because you're used to your kid crying and you don't hear it any more doesn't mean the rest of us (who are out paying for a meal) feel the same way.

cebenspe avatar
Solrac
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand children may cry in a restaurant, but remember there are other people there too so at least try something to make them stop.

malagotelli avatar
Javiera Gotelli
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always say I despise PARENTS of spoiled kids, not kids, because kids can't raise themselves... Some people should take a basic skills test before even thinking of having kids.

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Nina Khmielnitzky
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can afford to eat out, you can afford a babysitter. Don't impose your demons on other diners who have the right mind to hire a babysitter. Otherwise, stay home and learn to cook and teach your kids to cook. It will serve them later.

maddie-star-2 avatar
Maddie Star ⭐
Community Member
3 years ago (edited)

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You don't know if that child has a disability, perhaps if you don't like it you should stay home. Parents shouldn't be forced to hide their children away.

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Tikanovuka
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the people in the comments are justifying a kid crying. But the truth is that others usually don't care why some kid is crying if that's not their child. So calm the f**k down your kid or don't take it to public places if you didn't teach it to behave. If i could teach my dog to behave in restaurants, parents can handle their kids, too.

mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. It isn’t our business WHY they cry, nor our responsibility to listen to it

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benicia_99 avatar
Azure Adams
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Manage you damn children! Tantrum? take them outside to calm down. Needing something? if it's tangible, give it to them. Being a little s**t? Go home, none of you will get clean food

maddie-star-2 avatar
Maddie Star ⭐
Community Member
3 years ago

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Wow, I bet your the mouthy person who's every second word is a swear word. You don't know if that child has a disability. What's the difference to sitting next to someone who swears or a child who might not be able to cope in that situation?

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Colin Mochrie At Its Finest
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is where I get frustrated...not the older kids acting like fools or babies|toddlers genuinely upset. It is a parent's inability to be a decent human. I particularly recall a time with my then 3 year old who needed more movement and we took turns (husband, my parents, myself) outside and she enjoyed the rocks (sometimes too much and had to be reminded not to chuck rocks at cars.)

eli_10 avatar
Eli
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hold up. The parent should definitely calm the crying child or cut the meal short and leave. BUT the rest of us shouldn't believe the crying is from a spoiled brat. It's not Only selfish kids who make a scene. Autistic and special needs kids may exhibit undesirable behavior. The numbers of kids with special needs has seriously grown over the years. And there may be other understandable reasons for the melt down. Strangers don't know anything about a child's situation. It's understandable if a person is annoyed to listen to a crying child if it goes on at length. But STOP JUDGING.

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NinjaWolfy94
Community Member
3 years ago

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Marilyn Helling
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes it tends to piss other customers off. Being a 'waitress' for many years I can agree.

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Happy Happy Gay Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Servers can't say anything, but customers can. Say loudly, "STOP HURTING THAT CHILD. I WILL CALL THE POLICE." This also works in a movie theater.

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WhatEvenIsLife
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand this. I have two kids, and anytime one of them threw a fit in a restaurant, we immediately took them outside. Why on earth anyone thinks it's okay to subject people to that, I have no clue. It always embarrassed me and I was worried people would think I was a bad parent. But sometimes kids have meltdowns and there's not a lot you can do but wait it out and try to comfort them as best you can.

aysekeles avatar
Aayse
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if you have that type of child please try going on a picnic or something else. you do not have the right to annoy those who just trying to enjoy their meal.

swizdom2 avatar
Susan Widomski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Got you on that one. Of course I hate it when they turn around and climb up on the seat to watch you eat.

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Karen Violette Cubbison
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People with children should make a plan beforehand: state your expectations, bring quiet activities (coloring, etc.) and take them out if they are not complying. It's called being courteous.

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Ashley Wright
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can’t STAND it when screaming kids are virtually ignored by their parents in a public setting.

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Erica Cochrane
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

people often let their kids run around my cafe, including around the back where we work, where there is dangerous equipment. we, legally, are not allowed to touch any child, even if their life is in danger. so basically, they are putting their kid at risk of a serious burn or injury. when you ask, nicely, if they can maybe stop letting their kid run behind the bar, they just laugh like 'what are they like!' ><

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sharonljeffords@gmail.com
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use to just bring them app. main course and hold dessert if they get that far oh and a pile of napkins.And yes I do ask if they want everything at once always was yes.

john_123 avatar
More Thinking Needed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once I became a father, I developed the highest tolerance to kids crying, running around, and acting-up on airplanes, in restaurants, shopping malls. etc.. Partly because "I've been there", but mostly because they are just babies, toddlers, and kids doing what they do. And for the vast majority, parents try and cope and defuse those situations the best they can. The glass is more often than not, more than half full.

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You’re the only person here acting like it’s okay, and also the only person who is aware that they can selectively turn off their hearing when this happens. See how selfish that is? Because YOU don’t get bothered by the cries, you don’t see the big deal and think normal parents diffuse the situation. They almost never do. They usually act like you and just ignore it.

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Leo H
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3 years ago

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Your job isn't to police the restraunt...stop being a karen

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Jibek Mechler
Community Member
3 years ago

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Hmm, someone has never taken care of a kid in their life

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Maddie Star ⭐
Community Member
3 years ago (edited)

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WOW, I'm sorry but some of you just have no idea, My son is my world, he's 8 and has autism, He is incredibly well behaved polite child but sometimes something doesn't go his way. the result will be screaming, crying, shouting and lashing out. Moving him is impossible, it makes the situation worse. I have sat in the middle of supermarkets, under tables at restaurants and on the side walk. He needs to know he's safe and hugs and listening will calm him down. I am not going to hide my child away because you have a problem, perhaps if you are that intolerant of others you should stay at home. I'm disgusted with most of these comments. Feel free to down vote me. PS: as some of you have said about noisy children, he's not abused, he's not naughty, he's not ignored.... his break down could have be anything, The wrong food touching, cans put away on the wrong shelves, socks being weird even if a crayon he picked up isn't the colour he needed and if he forgets how to spell a word.

wandacardenas avatar
Mia C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He may be your world, but he is not mine, so do not impose your screaming child to those of us that want a quiet meal. If you can't control your screaming brat take him somewhere away from the general civilyzed public.

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Rukkia
Community Member
3 years ago

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Many people do not understand that sometimes, it is neither the parents or the child being spoiled or inattentive. Sometimes it is other people that need to be a little more inclusive to neurodiversity. You do not know what is going on with that family or child. And often times, the take them outside to calm down, is not going to help anyone. When in doubt, just be kind.

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Afton
Community Member
3 years ago

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Some children need to be punched in the face

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, sure, punish the children for the parents’ bad behavior. I hope you never have kids.

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#2

Snapping Your Fingers At Servers

Snapping Your Fingers At Servers Don’t ever snap your fingers at a server, bartender, anyone. Ever.

Sofia Korkala , Kate Townsend Report

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A.M. Pierre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was at a restaurant in Munich with maybe 10 friends and friends of friends. One of the friends of friends drank a little too much of the strong Munich beer before dinner and started snapping her fingers at the server. We were mortified and apologized to him. He was gracious and laughed at off. A few minutes later, he asked her what she wanted to eat. When she didn't look up, he snapped his fingers at her. She got mad. We all thought it was hilarious.

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#3

Flirting

Flirting Don’t hit on waitresses. Don’t touch waitresses. I’ve cooked in bars where my job included removing such people from the establishment with force.

Sara Thorn , Boganm9p Report

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A.M. Pierre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, don't assume that a server smiling at you and being nice to you means they like you. Being. Nice. Is. Their. Job.

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#4

Touching Their Servers

Touching Their Servers When people touch their server. I'm not to be touched. I don't like it, and I'm not your pet. I'm not your buddy, baby, friend, or lover.

Mike DiGirolamo , Tim Ford Report

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Linda van der Pal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reverse is also true: waiters please don't touch your clients! (Much, much more rare, I know, but it happened to me once. It was just my lower arm, so no sexual intentions, but still not appreciated.)

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#5

Coming In Minutes Before Closing

Coming In Minutes Before Closing If Google says that the restaurant closes at 11, the right time to order is not three minutes before closing.

The staff are not people willing to work every single day overtime like they had no lives of their own.

They are people with loved ones and hobbies as well.

Sofia Korkala , Tim Mossholder Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the Netherlands you can order all you like, but when the kitchen is closed, the kitchen is closed.

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#6

Being Impolite

Being Impolite Please, get off your cellphone when I’m taking your order

Edith Deween , 7shifts Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen servers just walking away if the customer was phoning and ordering at the same time. I'd always tip these servers extra.

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#7

When People Go And Sit At A Dirty Table

When People Go And Sit At A Dirty Table PLEASE DO NOT HELP YOURSELF TO A SEAT AT A DIRTY TABLE.

First of all, it’s gross. Why would you sit yourself down in someone else’s mess?

Second of all, if it’s not clean, we aren’t ready for you at that table yet. Now someone has to awkwardly bus the table and wipe it down while your impatient ass just sits there being all in-the-way.

Natalie Knowles , Kent Wang Report

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로희
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does this happen frequently in most countries? Because in the two countries I live in, customers usually wait at the restaurant's entrance until a server attend to them. Except for fast food restaurants, but usually all the tables are not dirty because customers normally clean after themselves.

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#8

Ordering Something That's Not On The Menu

Ordering Something That's Not On The Menu Do not order anything that isn’t on the menu. I’ve run into so many situations where customers want to make up their own dish that isn’t on the menu (ordering fish and chips at an Italian restaurant). Perhaps it’s because they don’t know how to read, and therefore can’t understand anything the menu says. That menu is there for a reason. Read it. This is not a private chef service

Maxwell Arnold , Amanda Vick Report

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A good restaurant will have waiters who are able to explain the menu, and they will be able to advise in case a customers has certain allergies or disliked. Simply ordering something that is not on the menu is rude, **asking** for something that is not on the menu is just fine in my opinion. Asking for example whether a certain ingredient you do not find in any other dish is available should just be fine – an example would be particularly hot peppers in a place that does not regularly have so spicy dishes. If asked politely, you will just get a polite answer, sometimes even met with gratitude for real interest in what the place can offer.

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#9

Acting Like You Own The Place

Acting Like You Own The Place This restaurant is not your house. You’re a paying customer. We get that, and we respect that. But do not forget that you are a guest. In addition, you are not the only guest. There are other people here too. So when you request that we turn down the music, turn up the lights, or adjust the heat/air conditioning, you should know that we may not be able to make this accommodation, even if you ask nicely. If you go on to demand such accommodations, you’re not only disrespecting us (because you’re essentially treating the restaurant like your house, and us like servants who run it for you), you’re also disrespecting the other guests (because they may not desire the same accommodations that you desire). This is not your house, and this is a space that you’re sharing with other people - and if you’re the only one asking for something to be changed, we’re unlikely to do it if it will affect other guests.

Maxwell Arnold , Syed Ahmad Report

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#10

Helping Without Being Asked To

Helping Without Being Asked To I hated when customers tried to help me. Don't get me wrong. I appreciated the sentiment, but when a customer took things from my tray or grabbed things from my hand it became dangerous.

Sheila Blohm , Jay Wennington Report

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Mrs_ Possum
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, this. I worked in a restaurant for a bit, some years back, and people grabbing things off the tray can really unbalance a heavy tray. If the server removes things from the tray themselves, they can adjust their own balance, but not when people just randomly take things while you're trying to set it down, etc. Especially with lots of drinks. I once had someone plunge their hand into a load of drinks on a tray to get to their one, and they nearly knocked over all the others.

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#11

Not Understanding When The Bar Is Full

Not Understanding When The Bar Is Full Understand that when the bar is full, the bar is full. No, I'm not going to go and 'see if anyone's done' at the bar so you can squeeze in for free corn chips at happy hour. I've politely told you you're more than welcome to stand at the bar, but all the seats are taken. And for the love of god, don't try to take other customers' seats while they're in the bathroom.

Kyle Redman , Alexander Popov Report

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Iron Eddy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Taking others seats while they're in the bathroom?? What.the.fu*k?!?!?!???!?!?!?

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#12

Being Glued To The Phone

Being Glued To The Phone Please do not be glued to your phone, especially if you're in a large party. I work in a tapas restaurant, which means everyone orders small plates to share. We recently had a table of ten do this, ignoring runners and servers that were bringing their food, causing the food to be returned or eaten by different table members, and so the person who ordered the food would finally look up from their phone and start complaining that they never received the food they ordered. Of course, the other table members neglected to tell them they had received it and eaten it. Why? Because THEY were now on their phones. They nearly made a server cry with rude comments about her intelligence and figure (“that skinny bitch probably ate them, she needs to put on weight before her hips cut me”) is just one thing I heard. It's worth mentioning that these were all morbidly obese people.

Kyle Redman , Isaac Matthew Report

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80 Van
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That sounds less like a “don’t be on your phone” issue and more of a “treat your servers with basic human dignity” issue. Pulling out your phone should not be a problem to the server as long as you know how to be kind to others and not be a jerk to your server.

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#13

Not Considering The Hard Work In The Kitchen

Not Considering The Hard Work In The Kitchen Allergies. If the truth is you don't like a food, then just say that. Say you don’t like bell pepper. The amount of work that happens in the kitchen is hardly ever seen in the dining room. Respect the staff by not adding to that amount of work if it’s not necessary.

Sofia Korkala , Tim Meyer Report

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James016
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes I ask for ingredients to be taken out, gherkins in burgers for example. If they can't do it because the food has been prepped already, I'll just order something else.

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#14

Clients Who Can't Manage Their Time

Clients Who Can't Manage Their Time Don’t order a well-done steak if your movie starts in 15 minutes.

Edith Deween , Thanti Nguyen Report

#15

Being Overly Picky And Making It More Difficult For The Staff

Being Overly Picky And Making It More Difficult For The Staff The menu is not a canvas for your wildest imagination, unfortunately. I have come across customers who ask what ingredients do we have, and start building their own portion based on them.
I know the struggle of being a hard customer and not being able to take whatever from the menu due to dangerous allergies, but don’t be picky in vain. The staff is usually crowded with special orders anyway.

Sofia Korkala , Sunrise Photos Report

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Dilly Millandry
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check with the restaurant first perhaps with what they can and cannot do. Leaving out an ingredient isn't always that much of a problem. Let's face it though, if it has a menu where you can't find anything you like or can eat then pick somewhere else.

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#16

Disrespectful Behavior

Disrespectful Behavior Do not address us as “waiter”/“waitress”, or snap your fingers at us.
This is basic human respect. I will openly ignore such requests for my attention, and you’ll be waiting a while for me to come back.

Maxwell Arnold , Jessie McCall Report

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#17

Wasting Servers' Time

Wasting Servers' Time This is a more Spanish restaurant specific thing than anything, but please for the love of god do not order 6 plates and then ask me which are spicy, having me bring back the ones that are. Please. It's a Spanish restaurant, nearly everything is spicy. Stop wasting our time. You wouldn't believe how often this happens.

Kyle Redman , Peijia Li Report

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LOttawa
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most restaurants I've been to solve this by having little drawings of peppers next to the meal description. Green for mild, orange for medium and red for spicy (and those for from 1 to 3 depending on how spicy it is).

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#18

Complaining That The Food Takes Longer To Come Out When The Place Is Busy

Complaining That The Food Takes Longer To Come Out When The Place Is Busy Food takes longer to come out when we’re busy

When a restaurant is busy, it’s usually no secret. It’s loud, it’s full, staff are running around, the whole deal. You can also anticipate when a restaurant will be busy, like on Friday and Saturday nights. If you choose to dine at such times as these, you can expect your food to take longer to come out. Why? More people, more orders, more work for the kitchen to do. So if you’ve just placed your order now, it could take 20, 30, 40 minutes, or even longer than that. If that’s too long for you, none of us have any sympathy for your complaints. You knew it was busy, so you knew it would take long. You chose to dine at this time, so you knew what you were getting into. We don’t care that you’re hungry. Everybody is hungry. That’s why they’re here! What do you think we’re going to do? Bring your food out first before someone else’s, just because you’re complaining? Dream on.

Maxwell Arnold , Zahir Namane Report

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Ripley
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rubbish. If diners are having to wait more than half and hour for their food the kitchen needs more staff, or to review their practices. 40 minutes is too long, even on a busy night.

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#19

Not Accepting Where You're Being Seated

Not Accepting Where You're Being Seated Please accept where I seat you. I understand you want a booth. But we only have four, and by dinnertime, I've already reserved them for my six other 6:30 reservations. And if you're a party of two, you're going to get placed at a two top. Not a full-size table.

Kyle Redman , K8 Report

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Hans
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Frankly, why again not ask politely? There might be a perfect rationale behind the place you are seated, which is hiden to you as a customer, but it might have been a random choice out of many options.

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#20

Sitting At An Empty Table Without Asking

Sitting At An Empty Table Without Asking If you see a table with no one at it, that is not necessarily your table! There might be a reservation plotted for your table later that night. The restaurant limits how many people can sit in each time-block.

Jesse Sutton , Hitesh Dewasi Report

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LOttawa
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's reserved, shouldn't there be a note on the table saying so? If not, and there's no hostess to sit us down, how are we supposed to know which table is free and which one isn't? *Just mentioning that I said if there are no hostess, I did not say, what if the hostess is unavailable. The post makes no mention wether there is one or not, makes no mention of what type of restaurant it is (fancy or not).

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#21

Tipping Is Important

Tipping Is Important Tipping is not mandatory, but servers live off of our tips.

Edith Deween , Sam Dan Truong Report