Restaurant Customers

I came across this article this morning about restaurant customers (the title of this post is linked to the article) and it gave me a good giggle. Then sent me spiraling down memory lane. Oh. The nerve of some people. I worked in the restaurant industry from the time I was 14 until I was 23. I took about two years off (but in increments)--otherwise, I was there, either as a hostess, a server, a runner, a busser...I worked just about every aspect of the restaurant. I've even been known to throw some fries in the frier and wash some dishes when we were short a dishwasher. I have been there and I know. There were a couple of "restaurant types" that just got my blood boiling thinking about them. First: The Yup Couple--snobby woman, spineless man How true. The woman is a complete shrewed and has probably never worked a day in her life. If she has, it was definitely NOT a job where she had to deal with customers. Otherwise, there is NO way she would speak to another human being that is trying to make an honest living the way she does. Makes you want to spit in her food most of the time. Second: The Family. You know what I'm talking about. The kids everywhere...mom and dad "enjoying" a meal out of the house. Ok--in a family friendly restaurant I'm perfectly ok with that. I wish the parents would clean up after their children, but will take what I get. In a nicer restaurant, I don't want to see kids. Unless they're well behaved, proper children. I saw a few tables like that the other night--I was amazed at how well behaved the children were. Not my family. My family would be an embarassment and destroy the other diners' night out. Which is why I believe that if it is not a child friendly restaurant...don't bring your children. Make it a date night if you really want to try out that new steakhouse. It's not your night that you're ruining by the loud, dirty children. It's the other diners. And the servers... Third: The Teens. This is self-explanatory. And reminds me of this summer when we had a girls' night and went to a local restaurant to eat and enjoy a few cocktails. The table next to us was full of teen agers that were loud, throwing food and actually went ACROSS the street to the grocery store, bought food there and brought it back into the restaurant. Several issues with this: first, the children have been taught NO manners. I do not blame them--I blame their parents. I understand a teen will be a teen, but with proper guidance in those formative years, the teen will at least somewhat respect those around him. Second, the teens are taking up FIVE tables on a Friday night and are there for hours. That loses that server the chance for at least FIVE tips. Third--they did not tip. I was confronted by one of the teens because we moved. She said, "do you have a problem with us?" My response, "Yes. You are disrespectful. Throwing food like monkeys and behaving like 12 year olds. Yes, I have a problem with you." She went to complain to the manager, who then proceeded to give my table complimentary cocktails. The teens left soon after. Finally, The Gaggle. You've seen them. A group of women that act just like the teens mentioned above. Yet, they're grown adults. They are the worst customer. They run your ass like crazy, usually sending you into the weeds (restaurant lingo for so busy you can't catch up) which then usually hurts your chance for a good tip from another table...all for a meezly tip and probably a huge blow to your self esteem. So...My soap box for the day. Restaurant customers. It's tough to be a restaurant employee and these days I am thankful that I am not one any longer. But I'll never forget the years that I was. And I appreciate my service and tip accordingly.