Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

There are many things you might encounter when you go to a restaurant. Noisy unruly kids throwing food around, inflated prices for just two pieces of toasted bread, and even unwittingly incriminating one of the guests in adultery right at the table. Well, the customers in the story we’re going to tell you today were outraged because the waiter was eating at another table during their shift.

The user u/drakemangos told this story a few days ago, and people were very divided in the comments. Perhaps you will also have some mixed feelings… but first, let’s describe the situation just in order.

More info: Reddit

The author of the post works as a server in a cafe and one day they arrived to work an hour early

Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

The author’s colleague asked them to serve one table and the server agreed

Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

Image credits: u/drakemangos

After the server took the order, they decided to have a snack before the start of the shift, so they sat at a distant table to eat

Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

Image credits: u/drakemangos

However, the customers got indignant over the server’s behavior and reported them to the manager

Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio (not the actual photo)

Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

Image credits: u/drakemangos

The manager didn’t punish the author, taking into account it wasn’t technically their shift yet, but the customers left no tips

So, the Original Poster (OP) works as a server at a small restaurant, and one Saturday afternoon they showed up to work an hour early. A colleague who was on shift asked them to serve one table, and the author agreed, despite the fact that there was still time left before the start of their own shift.

They were a middle-aged couple, they ordered an appetizer and their entrees in one go, and the OP, having accepted the order, passed it to the kitchen. According to the author, they had a food runner, and the OP had just cashed out the only other table they had, so they just decided to have a snack before starting their shift. The problem was that the restaurant didn’t have a special designated area for servers to eat…

In order not to confuse the customers, the original poster went to the far end of the room and sat at an empty table with their back to the table that had just been served. However, after some time, the clients called the manager and complained about the OP, who allegedly “ostentatiously” ate at the table. The manager, having understood the situation, said that he wouldn’t take any measures against the OP, but the server’s mood was already ruined.

When they approached that very table to get paid, the customers did not show their dissatisfaction with the situation in any way – except that they did not leave a tip. However, when leaving, the couple said that everything was fine, nevertheless leaving the original poster very upset.

Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

Image credits: Tim Douglas (not the actual photo)

“From the point of view of the unspoken rules of restaurant work, the server, of course, made a mistake – because in most restaurants it is not allowed for servers to have food at the tables while working. I myself was taught this many years ago,” says Vlad Ostrometsky, the administrator of the UNIT Cafe in Odessa, Ukraine, to whom Bored Panda reached out for a comment on this case. “Moreover, this rule actually doesn’t even depend on the status or prestige of the restaurant. It’s just the way it is, period.”

“For example, when my mother recently celebrated her birthday in our cafe, and invited me to sit with her at the table, I felt uncomfortable in front of other guests, and I sincerely tried to explain that it was my mom, that it was her party, and that she she called me herself. However, as far as I know, there is a special format of ‘friendly-service’ cafes and restaurants, where the waiter can sit at the table while taking the order, and even try the dish if the client asks.”

“But this is rather a separate feature of such restaurants, and the generally accepted practice is exactly this – if you come to work, you either eat somewhere beyond the main room, or don’t eat at all,” Vlad summarizes.

Most commenters on the original post were also divided over this situation. Those who apparently had experience in the hospitality industry also noted that the author clearly violated an unspoken rule of their work, and it’s actually good that it all ended with only no tips for them. “It’s very unprofessional. They’re our guests. It’s in bad taste to eat on the floor while you have active tables. No way,” someone wrote in the comments.

On the other hand, some commenters were outraged that this state of affairs per se appears to be a clear violation of the OP’s rights. “I just don’t get it. Why can’t we just view each other as human beings, equals. I just can’t wrap my head around the way some people think,” another commenter responded. And what’s your own opinion over this described case? Please feel free to express it in the comments below.

People in the comments were very divided over this situation – some of them think the author was being unprofessional, and others believe it was unhuman towards the server

Restaurant Customers Upset At Having To See A Worker Eat At A Table Far Away From Them

After many years of working as sports journalist and trivia game author and host in Ukraine I joined Bored Panda as a content creator. I do love writing stories and I sincerely believe - there's no dull plots at all. Like a great Italian composer Joaquino Rossini once told: "Give me a police protocol - and I'll make an opera out of it!"

Read less »

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Marnie 8 months ago (edited)

As long as OP was not ignoring them - and it wasn't clear to me that he/she was - then I see no problem with this, and can't imagine why the couple would complain. I can't understand the people who are calling out the OP, saying it's rude to eat in front of customers. Why would it be rude? That makes no sense to me. Actually, I'd honestly be happy that the restaurant allowed their staff to take a break and eat in a clean spot, sitting down. When I found out that they don't even give servers a schedule at least a week ahead of time, I basically stopped going to restaurants in protest. (And they should get scheduled breaks!)

11points

Ms.GB 8 months ago (edited)

I have never even thought about giving a f*** if a server on their break is eating near me. Where do people even get the idea that they should be offended by something like this?! It's just so weird, are they gonna complain that she's breathing near them too? If the server is eating the restaurants food that's a GOOD sign lol.

9points

Load More Replies...

Marcellus II 8 months ago

"sitting with my back to them" sounds like attentive service, yes.

2points

Tyranamar 8 months ago

How could he possibly not be ignoring them if they had time to get the appetizers and the meal without him finishing his meal? And he wasn't on a break? He was just grabbing food. You grab food quick.

2points

Ms.GB 8 months ago

How dare your staff require sustenance! Why aren't you hiring robots!!

7points

DRMAGDN 8 months ago

Coming soon to a society near you: Japan's All Robot Restaurants

3points

Load More Replies...

Id row 8 months ago

I went to a salon for a hair cut and the woman was eating pizza while cutting my hair. I was not happy about that. She'd stop working on my hair, go pick up the pizza and take a bite, then come back and put her fingers in my hair. I could hear her chewing in my ear.

6points