Dining in nice restaurants is an integral part of my Walt Disney World vacations. I enjoy eatng in restaurants so much that I have started to go out a couple of times a month when at home, usually to inexpensive places like IHOP or Chilis.
When I dine out, I have certain expectations of the server. But I have certain expectations that I put on myself, as well, and everybody else at my table.
"WillCAD's Four Simple Rules for Being a Good Restaurant Patron:"
2007-08-15
1. Keep it clean!
Somebody has to clean up any mess you make after you leave, and they don't get paid enough to deal with your garbage. So unless your server is Mike Rowe, have a little consideration, ya slob, and don't leave piles of chicken bones or pudles of soup, soda, or pancake syrup all over the table.
2. Keep it simple!
Servers aren't telepathic - they don't know what you WANT, they only know what you SAY. So do everybody a favor and actually read your menu and decide what you want to order before the server asks you - and then convey your order in short, simple, coherent sentences. They ain't Creskin; if they give you the wrong thing because you babbled your order in incomprehensible gibberish, it's YOUR fault, not theirs.
3. Treat them with respect!
The lowest, most despicable person on Earth is the person who thinks that a server, bartender, bellhop, painter, ditch-digger, toilet scrubber, or other person in a manual-labor job is somehow "beneath" notice and not worthy of respect. I SPIT on all those who would treat a service person like a second-class citizen! Ptooey!
4. Reward them according to their merits.
Hey, if that server did their job as they were supposed to do it, then give them a proper tip! They bust their butts to give you a nice, enjoyable, pleasant meal, and they deserve comensurate compensation for their work. If they did an OUTSTANDING job, don't just leave a few bucks on the table, TELL them that they did an outstanding job. After all, everybody can use a compliment now and then, right? And if they did a REALLY OUTSTANDING job, tell the manager - a few compliments can help out on the server's yearly reviews and salary evaluations! Wouldn't you like to get a nice raise if you did a great job?
4A. If it ain't their fault, don't blame them!
If the kitchen is a shambles, or it took a long time to get seated, or the table next to you was loud and obnoxious all night, don't use that flimsy excuse to leave a crappy tip - none of that is the server's fault. Hold them responsible only for their own actions, just as you should be held responsible only for your own.
And most importantly, have a nice day!