Friday, November 13, 2009

Jobless Rate Down


The official jobless rate for the nation just went down....by one. After a year of not working (by choice), I've decided that it's time for me to go out and dazzle people with my wonderful wit and stunning beauty (Hope you have hip boots on by now!) by hostessing at a local sports bar and restaurant. It's only weekends, but it'll get me out of the house and among people.

Having worked in many restaurants over the years, I'm always dumbfounded by some of the things that go on with the customers. Yes, customers are the lifeblood of a business, but there are some customers you'd rather not deal with.

That having been said, I'd like to pass along a few things that waitresses and hostesses would LOVE to say to people but can't. I know my readers are respectful and kind, but there are those people who make you cringe when they walk through the door.
  1. Please remember that you are not the only customer your server has. While they will do their very best to keep you happy, they are not there to serve only you. Try waiting tables, and you'll see what I mean.
  2. There are times that there are not enough people to cover customer demand. Should you have to wait a few minutes extra for a drink refill, please do not let it reflect on your server. Understand that when someone calls off, it affects already busy employees. They do work very hard to accommodate your requests.
  3. The employees are not there for you to verbally abuse. Should you have a problem, please be respectful in your complaint. Most people follow this rule, but I've seen many who treat staff like slaves. We would rather you take your business elsewhere than to deal with the stress that goes with waiting on a pompous ass.
  4. Please remember to tip. Your server may have been unnecessarily rude, but don't stiff them. Reduce your tip, but leave something. Wait staff doesn't make minimum wage plus tips, and tips make up the difference of their hourly wage. BTW...average tip is 15-20% for average to good service.
  5. If you come in 30 minutes before closing and expect a full course meal, please be courteous enough to leave as quickly as possible. Your server and all of the employees have most likely been there for at least 8 hours and would like to go home. Chances are that they will have to be back early the next day. They have lives just like you do. Don't linger over your table for an hour after you're finished eating as your server has to stay probably an hour after you leave to clean up and get ready for the next day.
  6. Your attitude does affect your service. The nicer you are to the staff, the more effort they will put forth to make your experience a nice one.
  7. If comment cards are available, please fill them out, and be honest. Management appreciates your feedback in order to try to correct potential problems.
  8. Don't pass judgment based on one experience. While first impressions are vital, if you see it's overly busy or you have to wait, don't assume it's always that way. It could very well be a fluke. Stop a second time. If things are still bad, then you can pass judgment.
  9. If you pull in to the parking area and there are a lot of cars parked, expect to wait. We will try to get you seated as quickly as possible, but the staff can't make people leave any earlier than when they're ready. Be understanding of this.
  10. Mistakes happen. Don't throw a hissy fit and act like it's the end of humanity. You only look like an idiot when you do that.
  11. If you have your kids with you, please don't let them run around. It's rude to the other customers and creates a dangerous situation for everyone when a waitress has a large tray of hot food.
It's gonna be an interesting time!

19 comments:

Andrew33 said...

No, number of people looking for jobs is down. And this number is given by whom? The all knowing and trustworthy Obama administration. Every time the regime puts out numbers, they get adjustd for the worse two weeks later when the real numbers come out.

Andrew33 said...

By the way, I gots my revenge on the Kos for calling me a liar at KOOKs today. Hope you enjoy it as i think its perfect paybacks. One serious, one not.

blackandgoldfan said...

Andrew: That was my way of saying that I got a job, ergo the jobless rate went down. :-)

I'll have to check it out later, hon. Got cheyenne home sick today. :-(

Timeshare Jake said...

I'd eat at your restaraunt if you were the enforcer of many of those rules--especially the kids running around.

blackandgoldfan said...

BB: I think it's going to be part of my job. The bar is actually my cousin's, so I think I'll have a little latitude to do such.

conservative generation said...

I did ten years as a short order cook while putting myself through college. Please enjoy :)

blackandgoldfan said...

C-Gen: I think everyone (especially those who think they're better than everyone else) should have to work in food service. There may not be so much rudeness in the world.

Anonymous said...

My wife was a waitress for many years at the Squirrel Hill Eat N Park. It was a toss up on any given day whether the staff or the customers were the bigger idiots.
At one time, they had hired a cook--who couldn't read!! Any orders he got right were total luck or memory. And the real kicker--they kept him for more than 1 shift.

blackandgoldfan said...

cbullitt: Holy crap! That's pretty sad. Fortunately, I know the owner (my cousin), so if he asks me about staff idiots, I'll be honest with him. It's his business, after all.

Soloman said...

You refer to "waitresses" and "hostesses" as if we men could never have been "servers" in the industry for the better part of 15 years.. what are you, sexist??

All kidding aside - congrats, and enjoy! Getting out where there are people can be a very good thing...

Andrew33 said...

Congrats on your job. Do you do deliveries to South Florida? If you do, I'll send u some bidness.

blackandgoldfan said...

Soloman: Sorry. Why do you have SoloMAN as your username? What are you sexist? ;-D

Thanks for the wishes, dude. You know I'll let yinz know how it went! lol

15 years, eh? You must've been what...maybe 10 when you started? ;)

blackandgoldfan said...

Andrew: Thanks, hon. We don't deliver, but, in the middle of winter, I'd consider making an exception to your area. :D

Amusing Bunni said...

Hi Denise!
Congrats on your new job. I hope it goes well for you.
I could not work with the public, they are too clueless and psycho out in chicago. Plus, I am so shell shocked that If I win the lotto this weekend, I will NEVER work another day in my life.

You have such a great personality and love for people that you will do great and the owner of the place will be glad he hired you, even if you are a relative! ;-)

Soloman said...

Well.. obviously my parents knew I wanted to be a waitress!! lol!!

And actually, I was 8 when I started.. stop adding years to me, lady!! Ha!

Deliveries to warm places, eh?? It's about 70 and almost always sunny here in beautiful Phoenix...

All. Winter. Long.

I'll take a full slab of baby-backs with fries, and a good Canadian beer, thanks!!

blackandgoldfan said...

Bunni: Thanks, hon. Just got done for tonight and have to hit it again tomorrow. I'm pooped!

blackandgoldfan said...

Soloman: Got it. Ribs, waffle fries (my recommendation), and a pitcher of La Batt's.

Don't forget to tip the nice, pretty lady! ;-)

Soloman said...

I'll trust your recommendation on the waffle fries...

And obviously you know I'm worth at least 20%.. probably more like 30% if you're keeping my beer glass full... lol!

I just checked my local listings - looks like I get to watch your Squealers against Cincy tomorrow. Should be fun.

Also just watched a reply on NFL Network of the 4th quarter of the Broncos v. Redskins from '95.. Elway with a last play of the game 43 yard TD pass to Rod Smith for the win!

blackandgoldfan said...

I will definitely keep that glass full, pal. Do I get 40% if I feed you? Wouldn't want to get sauce all over your fingers, you know.

Cool you get to see the Pgh-Cincy game. Let's hope it goes better than the last time.

Elway definitely knew how to get the job done. Hope the Skins go down!!!