You Watch Your ATTITUDE When You're Talking to Me!

Last Wednesday at work.....gah. I've been called many things in my day, but this was never one of them.

It was a slow shift. Right now one of the roads in the downtown is hacked up for work on the sewage pipes.  Of course, this street is the one our restaurant resides on.  So, yes, this has most definitely affected our daily flow of guests.



Wednesdays are typically not too busy anyway.  With the drawback of fewer people coming in, we have cut back on the number of servers we have on the floor.  There were only two tables to dine in by 7:30 that evening, so what was the judgement call? Send the third server home so the other two can make some money.

What happens next? A total shit-storm of mass chaos. 
By 8:00 the entire floor was sat, not an open table in sight.

Yes, I am a decent server but I cannot-- absolutely cannot juggle ten tables in an (expected-to-be) fine-dining restaurant when it is slammed.  It simply is not possible to retain composure as a fine-dining server when you're literally running up and down the aisle, back to the server station, into the kitchen, out with food, back to the oven to make sure your bread isn't burnt, then finally to the newest table you have, which is already irritated they haven't been greeted in the first minute of sitting down.

YES that is what it was like.

SO (deep-breath) here is where I had an issue on that night:

I already have four tables of all women (Ladies: You, for the most part, can be quite pleasant to wait on, but running my little tuckus for drinks everytime I breeze past the table is not okay).
There's two two-tops which are pretty low-maintenance and know what they want.
I get another two-top, two men this time.
Upon greeting them, yes, I may have seemed rushed.

In MY head:
--I am trying to remember whether table three had the merlot or the pinot noir she needed another glass of.
--I had the hostess buzz by and let me know I received a table of four.
--I almost forgot to bring out someone else's appetizer, and I had drinks for the four women up front sitting behind the bar.

I'm not even able to ask the two for anything other than water to drink before one of them places his order.

The first gentleman asks me, "How is your swordfish?"

I lied. "Sir, I actually don't eat seafood, but I have gotten wonderful reviews as it is also one of our restaurant's most popular fish entrees."



He didn't seem thrilled with my response.  The truth? Hell. I'm broke as shit.
I can't afford to be eating a $28 dish whenever I'm working the dinner shift.
So no, I have not tried our swordfish, but yes it does look damn delicious.

"Fine," he interjected my ongoing thought bubbles. "I'll take that and the side salad."

His partner on the other hand, had a much more difficult time deciding.
"I'll take a baby greek to start, and......" He sat there, clicking his tongue at me, and mulling over our menu. I look back at the table of four just to make sure they aren't getting antsy.
"Uhn....tssss...tssss....hmmm tick tick tick." He clicked his tongue again. I peered back down at him.
"You know what?" he snapped, "Just bring our salads and give me a minute.

Relieved, I turned my back and greeted the four top whom immediately placed their appetizer.
I ran to the computer, keyed in the app and proceeded to the kitchen to prep the guys' salads.

While I'm making them, the hostess Lisette comes up to me with a menu, "Um, those guys you have wanted a glass of wine."  Already I can feel myself getting agitated.  I was standing there for five minutes while they twiddled their thumbs, and NOW they decide to grab the hostess (who is not as well-versed with the menu, especially the wine) to place an order.

She couldn't remember which one. That left me to ask, as I ran back out with salads in hand.  Setting them down I asked about the wine.

"I ordered with the other girl, didn't she tell you?"
God.... "No, sir, the hostess wasn't sure which wine exactly you wanted and I'm just checking back."
"You have to be kidding me."
I simply looked at him. Was I not doing my job by reporting back?
He glared at me, "Do you have a problem with me?"


Baffled, I asked this man what he meant.

"Ever since we sat down you have had a horrible attitude." I was shocked. You do know I am the one handling your food, correct?

I began to stammer, "I'm sorry sir, we are down a server and it is terribly busy in here. I never had any issue with you at all."

"THAT is not an excuse."

?!? "Sir," I retorted,  "I am a little bit overwhelmed and do not mean to come off as short."

"You have a horrible attitude and I demand another server." He was furious, and meant it. What exactly made ME come off as rude? And who was he to tell me off? Some head-up-his-ass elitist. I'm not your wench-- no need to step all over me.



"Excuse me?" I gasped, needing fresh air at this point. "YOU are horribly rude and are the one offending ME." I turn to his dinner date and ask him if I had a bad attitude... as the saying goes, the wise man said nothing. Instead, he chuckled and shook his head down at his salad.

I was livid. I didn't have the time for being questioned or accused. I asked the man, "Have you ever waited tables before?"

"That," he said, "is NOT the point."

"Oh, I think it is, and clearly you haven't. I'd be thrilled to send you that other server."

In hindsight, maybe I should have watched my tongue.
DID I have a bad attitude? Well-- not until he pulled that little number.
I also wish I took the time to run their food out to their table and tell them to enjoy, with a smile that actually told them to "choke on it".



That episode told me to not get so damn stressed. To just breathe.
And when I literally think everything is falling down on my head-- just smile. It will all pass soon enough.
And a note for all the guests who are reading this--
Never accuse a server to their face.  We are unpredictable little shits, and you never can tell how we are going to react to something like that.
Instead, request for the manager on duty and take the issue up with them.

Not only will your server be dealt with in a professional manner (as it is not your job to chastize nor patronize our workers), you will happily get your new server as you so wished, and possibly a discount or comp on a round of drinks.

A little kindness goes one hell of a long way.  Never forget that.

-LM
Photo Credit:
"We're Open!" Sunset Cycle's Blog- www.sunsetpdx.wordpress.com
"Leroy's Kitchen + Lounge"- www.sandiegofoodfinds.com
"Foodies in the Bible Belt"- www.biblebeltfoodies.blogspot.com
"Mental Health Art by Bipolar Artist"- www.artbynicola.co.uk
"Love it, eat it, choke on it"- www.randomarrayofthings.tumblr.com