A tip from your server…

Dear table 34;

After greeting you so friendly at the door to be shocked by the total number of guests that would be in your party. Twenty… Let me repeat that TWENTY. I along with a fellow server we took time away from our other tables to set up a “table” for twenty, that being said I situated myself and got ready for an organized order with laughs and polite conversing. Little did I know you have now changed your guest count to an eight top. That’s fine, wonderful in fact I can focus more on each person their order, refills and my other tables… HA-HA you tricked me! After being ordered back and forth for more ranch, refills, dislikes of Bahama Mamas and Long Island Ice-tea I asked a young girl what was wrong… If there was anything I could get her, when she went on to tell me about being stressed and her children. After which I began to talk about mine, I took time from my other table in which was waiting for only a to go item to finish and to pay their check. You asked to see photos and said how adorable they are, I ignored your guy friends while they kept asking for my number, my age and my name. Well hello my name tag is on my shirt… But thank you for not noticing or hearing when I greeted the table saying “Welcome to… My names Melissa I’ll be your server tonight can I start you with a Corona, Long Island Ice tea or maybe a lemonade?

When it came time to pay you acted like I was a complete moron and couldn’t count how many beers your party had… You tried to rip me off more then once even after I took off two drinks because you disliked them… When checks were separated and each person began to pay I brought back change for some, I ran for to-go boxes and I laughed with you. I told you to have a wonderful, careful night as you left the bills on the table with money. I’d like to thank you for my .31 cent tip… After seeing that I have children, after saying you know what it’s like to be a waitress… But maybe just maybe you need it more then I do; though at times like these I think everyone needs a little help.

Maybe one day you’ll know what it’s like to run back and forth, smile even after hearing another waitress tell you that your table was calling you names and laughing at you. Maybe you’ll know what it’s like to have a bad tip from not only that one table that messed with you but another table thinking you forgot about them because your attention then was split but unfairly 25%-75% when your snapping your fingers, waving your arms and making a scene so I rush to your aid.

Thank you table 34.

To everyone that visits a restaurant I want you to know how one table can ruin your day; how we live tip to tip not pay check to pay check or make so much that we don’t have to worry. At the end of the week or biweekly we aren’t looking for our paychecks because we already know how they look. We are taxed so harshly that we end up with no paycheck or enough to order a couple things off the dollar menu.

We aren’t all college students just there for a moment to get some play cash, we’re parents and adults on our with our own bills and needs never mind our wants. All I’m really saying is when a server approaches you don’t begin to judge them like oh they have four tables our $67.81 meal we only need to leave a couple dollars. Tip appropriately please.

There’s moms like me missing the first moments with their children; missing first words, first wave or maybe their oldest child’s first soccer game or school event. While you are enjoying your meal and see us smiling, playing and so attentive to the children you are with maybe it’s because we are missing our own; unable to make them dinner, help them color and laugh. Our hours are unsteady, we wash silverware and roll, dishes, restock and refill drinks, napkins and prep foods that you all are ordering. We’re sweeping, mopping and keeping a smile as hard as we can; but you have that make it or break it option. With the attitude you give us, sometimes we make mistakes whether in the kitchen or front we are all human. There’s just no way of being perfect 24/7; we’re thinking about table 34 and what they just asked me to get or how I’ve ran back and forth six times already for the same things because instead of everyone speaking at once that they’d all like ranch or honey mustard they have me doing laps.

Then there are the amazing tables…

Dear table 76,

Thank you for the laughs, for noticing I wasn’t from here and asking all about where I’m from. When finding out I am a mother you took the time to ask their ages, their names and make me smile remembering why I’m working so hard. Thank you for your kindness and for tipping so gratefully $41 on a $59 check. You made my night! You made me remember there are still good people out there that care, that see a mom trying her best for her children and seeing that though I may be busy I remember details. Whether first time or everyday customer I remember your order, I promptly refill your drinks and talk you into a dessert.  (Or try my best.)

Thank you table 76 for being so kind. 

We’re all just trying to make a living, though this isn’t what most of us thought our future would be is just getting by or stressing over bills and holidays. If we all took the time to care about one another a bit more, understand maybe the waitress is on a double and is hungry also. We don’t get regular breaks like you might at any other job. But not just waitresses having tough times, the cooks and the dishwasher from the employees that instead of saying ok it’s a mistake find someone to blame. From the plate not having enough fries or the spoons being out when you need it for a soup… Help one another out, remember no one’s perfect that’s why its called teamwork.

Always be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle. -Plato