As a teacher, my salary isn’t much. So about 8 years ago, I thought I’d get a summer job waiting tables. I have served before and it is quick cash, so why not? After all, it was only going to be temporary. 8 years later you will still find me at that same diner waiting tables every Friday night. It makes for a long day after teaching to go straight to waitressing, but I don’t mind it one bit! It is extra cash, and I get to take off my “professional hat” and dare I say have some fun while I work! Oh and to have adult conversations is so nice after having a day spent mostly talking 8-year olds.
Over the years, I have got to know a lot of great people at the restaurant. My customers are some of the sweetest people ever! I enjoy seeing some of the same people week after week so that we can check in on each other and see how the past week was for us. The outpouring of love I got from them about being a teacher during the pandemic helped maintain my sanity and not feel so alone with such a new chapter in my life.
Then of course there are those other customers. The ones that treat you like a peasant worker. Their needs that are never meant and they will not be satisfied no matter what you do for them. Some of the things that have been said to me are outrageous. One lady was paying for her bill. It was just her, so the bill came to about $15. After paying her bill she said, “Here honey take this ($2) because I’m sure you people don’t even have health insurance!” Oh, gee thanks! Although teaching doesn’t pay the greatest, I have some of the best health insurance around. Her ignorant comment didn’t deserve an explanation. So, my response was one of sarcasm (I know, go figure). I said, “Thank you so much for thinking of us people.”
Please just don’t….
- Do not wave us down like you are in dire need of something! You’ll survive for another minute.
- Do not insist on slurping your straw when your drink is empty! We get it you need a refill.
- Although we love you, when we are busy please don’t insist on telling us your life story.
- Do not complain about how your food was cooked after you had no problem eating it all!
- When asked if everything is okay, and you say “yes” but then complain later or don’t eat it because you are not satisfied. Speak up! You had a chance, so use it!
- When you say, “Are you busy?” when there are no other tables available and you see us running our asses off, it isn’t that funny!
- Please tip at least 20%. If you can’t afford to tip, then you shouldn’t go out to eat. We are all just trying to make a living.
- Don’t treat us like we are any less of a person than you are. We will serve you that is our job, but you are no better than we are.
- Listen to the specials and the choice of potato the first time it is said. Nothing worse than repeating them again and again (especially when wearing a mask).
- For the love of God, put down the phone and talk to each other!
- Please keep your political view, and sometimes ignorant comments to yourself because believe it or not, not all of us think like you (and that is okay).
- If you are having a dispute at your table, I’m sorry but we will stare. We can’t help it! So, keep it at home if you don’t want us to see! It gets awkward for us all!
Mary
Ruthless Lifestyle 