Join the Fun!

Snapping Your Fingers At Servers

Snapping Your Fingers At Servers Don’t ever snap your fingers at a server, bartender, anyone. Ever.

Sofia Korkala , Kate Townsend Report

Final score:

262points

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A.M. Pierre 3 years ago

I was at a restaurant in Munich with maybe 10 friends and friends of friends. One of the friends of friends drank a little too much of the strong Munich beer before dinner and started snapping her fingers at the server. We were mortified and apologized to him. He was gracious and laughed at off. A few minutes later, he asked her what she wanted to eat. When she didn't look up, he snapped his fingers at her. She got mad. We all thought it was hilarious.

217points

Flirting

Flirting Don’t hit on waitresses. Don’t touch waitresses. I’ve cooked in bars where my job included removing such people from the establishment with force.

Sara Thorn , Boganm9p Report

Final score:

236points

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A.M. Pierre 3 years ago

Also, don't assume that a server smiling at you and being nice to you means they like you. Being. Nice. Is. Their. Job.

146points

Touching Their Servers

Touching Their Servers When people touch their server. I'm not to be touched. I don't like it, and I'm not your pet. I'm not your buddy, baby, friend, or lover.

Mike DiGirolamo , Tim Ford Report

Final score:

229points

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Linda van der Pal 3 years ago

The reverse is also true: waiters please don't touch your clients! (Much, much more rare, I know, but it happened to me once. It was just my lower arm, so no sexual intentions, but still not appreciated.)

80points

Coming In Minutes Before Closing

Coming In Minutes Before Closing If Google says that the restaurant closes at 11, the right time to order is not three minutes before closing.

The staff are not people willing to work every single day overtime like they had no lives of their own.

They are people with loved ones and hobbies as well.

Sofia Korkala , Tim Mossholder Report

Final score:

223points

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WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

In the Netherlands you can order all you like, but when the kitchen is closed, the kitchen is closed.

92points

Being Impolite

Being Impolite Please, get off your cellphone when I’m taking your order

Edith Deween , 7shifts Report

Final score:

191points

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WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

I've seen servers just walking away if the customer was phoning and ordering at the same time. I'd always tip these servers extra.

70points

When People Go And Sit At A Dirty Table

When People Go And Sit At A Dirty Table PLEASE DO NOT HELP YOURSELF TO A SEAT AT A DIRTY TABLE.

First of all, it’s gross. Why would you sit yourself down in someone else’s mess?

Second of all, if it’s not clean, we aren’t ready for you at that table yet. Now someone has to awkwardly bus the table and wipe it down while your impatient ass just sits there being all in-the-way.

Natalie Knowles , Kent Wang Report

Final score:

184points

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로희 3 years ago

Does this happen frequently in most countries? Because in the two countries I live in, customers usually wait at the restaurant's entrance until a server attend to them. Except for fast food restaurants, but usually all the tables are not dirty because customers normally clean after themselves.

57points

Ordering Something That's Not On The Menu

Ordering Something That's Not On The Menu Do not order anything that isn’t on the menu. I’ve run into so many situations where customers want to make up their own dish that isn’t on the menu (ordering fish and chips at an Italian restaurant). Perhaps it’s because they don’t know how to read, and therefore can’t understand anything the menu says. That menu is there for a reason. Read it. This is not a private chef service

Maxwell Arnold , Amanda Vick Report

Final score:

157points

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Hans 3 years ago

A good restaurant will have waiters who are able to explain the menu, and they will be able to advise in case a customers has certain allergies or disliked. Simply ordering something that is not on the menu is rude, **asking** for something that is not on the menu is just fine in my opinion. Asking for example whether a certain ingredient you do not find in any other dish is available should just be fine – an example would be particularly hot peppers in a place that does not regularly have so spicy dishes. If asked politely, you will just get a polite answer, sometimes even met with gratitude for real interest in what the place can offer.

60points

Acting Like You Own The Place

Acting Like You Own The Place This restaurant is not your house. You’re a paying customer. We get that, and we respect that. But do not forget that you are a guest. In addition, you are not the only guest. There are other people here too. So when you request that we turn down the music, turn up the lights, or adjust the heat/air conditioning, you should know that we may not be able to make this accommodation, even if you ask nicely. If you go on to demand such accommodations, you’re not only disrespecting us (because you’re essentially treating the restaurant like your house, and us like servants who run it for you), you’re also disrespecting the other guests (because they may not desire the same accommodations that you desire). This is not your house, and this is a space that you’re sharing with other people - and if you’re the only one asking for something to be changed, we’re unlikely to do it if it will affect other guests.

Maxwell Arnold , Syed Ahmad Report

Final score:

148points

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Iggy 3 years ago

People actually do this?

46points

#10

Helping Without Being Asked To

Helping Without Being Asked To I hated when customers tried to help me. Don't get me wrong. I appreciated the sentiment, but when a customer took things from my tray or grabbed things from my hand it became dangerous.

Sheila Blohm , Jay Wennington Report

Final score:

148points

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Mrs_ Possum 3 years ago (edited)

Yup, this. I worked in a restaurant for a bit, some years back, and people grabbing things off the tray can really unbalance a heavy tray. If the server removes things from the tray themselves, they can adjust their own balance, but not when people just randomly take things while you're trying to set it down, etc. Especially with lots of drinks. I once had someone plunge their hand into a load of drinks on a tray to get to their one, and they nearly knocked over all the others.

56points

#11

Not Understanding When The Bar Is Full

Not Understanding When The Bar Is Full Understand that when the bar is full, the bar is full. No, I'm not going to go and 'see if anyone's done' at the bar so you can squeeze in for free corn chips at happy hour. I've politely told you you're more than welcome to stand at the bar, but all the seats are taken. And for the love of god, don't try to take other customers' seats while they're in the bathroom.

Kyle Redman , Alexander Popov Report

Final score:

140points

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Iron Eddy 3 years ago

Taking others seats while they're in the bathroom?? What.the.fu*k?!?!?!???!?!?!?

50points

#12

Being Glued To The Phone

Being Glued To The Phone Please do not be glued to your phone, especially if you're in a large party. I work in a tapas restaurant, which means everyone orders small plates to share. We recently had a table of ten do this, ignoring runners and servers that were bringing their food, causing the food to be returned or eaten by different table members, and so the person who ordered the food would finally look up from their phone and start complaining that they never received the food they ordered. Of course, the other table members neglected to tell them they had received it and eaten it. Why? Because THEY were now on their phones. They nearly made a server cry with rude comments about her intelligence and figure (“that skinny bitch probably ate them, she needs to put on weight before her hips cut me”) is just one thing I heard. It's worth mentioning that these were all morbidly obese people.

Kyle Redman , Isaac Matthew Report

Final score:

140points

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80 Van 3 years ago

That sounds less like a “don’t be on your phone” issue and more of a “treat your servers with basic human dignity” issue. Pulling out your phone should not be a problem to the server as long as you know how to be kind to others and not be a jerk to your server.

81points

Not Considering The Hard Work In The Kitchen

Not Considering The Hard Work In The Kitchen Allergies. If the truth is you don't like a food, then just say that. Say you don’t like bell pepper. The amount of work that happens in the kitchen is hardly ever seen in the dining room. Respect the staff by not adding to that amount of work if it’s not necessary.

Sofia Korkala , Tim Meyer Report

Final score:

130points

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James016 3 years ago

Sometimes I ask for ingredients to be taken out, gherkins in burgers for example. If they can't do it because the food has been prepped already, I'll just order something else.

45points

#14

Clients Who Can't Manage Their Time

Clients Who Can't Manage Their Time Don’t order a well-done steak if your movie starts in 15 minutes.

Edith Deween , Thanti Nguyen Report

Final score:

128points

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Wyn Williams 3 years ago

Don't ever order a well done steak for any reason...

119points

#15

Being Overly Picky And Making It More Difficult For The Staff

Being Overly Picky And Making It More Difficult For The Staff The menu is not a canvas for your wildest imagination, unfortunately. I have come across customers who ask what ingredients do we have, and start building their own portion based on them.
I know the struggle of being a hard customer and not being able to take whatever from the menu due to dangerous allergies, but don’t be picky in vain. The staff is usually crowded with special orders anyway.

Sofia Korkala , Sunrise Photos Report

Final score:

119points

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Dilly Millandry 3 years ago

Check with the restaurant first perhaps with what they can and cannot do. Leaving out an ingredient isn't always that much of a problem. Let's face it though, if it has a menu where you can't find anything you like or can eat then pick somewhere else.

39points

Disrespectful Behavior

Disrespectful Behavior Do not address us as “waiter”/“waitress”, or snap your fingers at us.
This is basic human respect. I will openly ignore such requests for my attention, and you’ll be waiting a while for me to come back.

Maxwell Arnold , Jessie McCall Report

Final score:

116points

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Maciej Zajaczkowski 3 years ago

How should you address them then?

12points

#17

Wasting Servers' Time

Wasting Servers' Time This is a more Spanish restaurant specific thing than anything, but please for the love of god do not order 6 plates and then ask me which are spicy, having me bring back the ones that are. Please. It's a Spanish restaurant, nearly everything is spicy. Stop wasting our time. You wouldn't believe how often this happens.

Kyle Redman , Peijia Li Report

Final score:

111points

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LOttawa 3 years ago (edited)

Most restaurants I've been to solve this by having little drawings of peppers next to the meal description. Green for mild, orange for medium and red for spicy (and those for from 1 to 3 depending on how spicy it is).

58points

#18

Complaining That The Food Takes Longer To Come Out When The Place Is Busy

Complaining That The Food Takes Longer To Come Out When The Place Is Busy Food takes longer to come out when we’re busy

When a restaurant is busy, it’s usually no secret. It’s loud, it’s full, staff are running around, the whole deal. You can also anticipate when a restaurant will be busy, like on Friday and Saturday nights. If you choose to dine at such times as these, you can expect your food to take longer to come out. Why? More people, more orders, more work for the kitchen to do. So if you’ve just placed your order now, it could take 20, 30, 40 minutes, or even longer than that. If that’s too long for you, none of us have any sympathy for your complaints. You knew it was busy, so you knew it would take long. You chose to dine at this time, so you knew what you were getting into. We don’t care that you’re hungry. Everybody is hungry. That’s why they’re here! What do you think we’re going to do? Bring your food out first before someone else’s, just because you’re complaining? Dream on.

Maxwell Arnold , Zahir Namane Report

Final score:

111points

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Ripley 3 years ago

Rubbish. If diners are having to wait more than half and hour for their food the kitchen needs more staff, or to review their practices. 40 minutes is too long, even on a busy night.

72points

Not Accepting Where You're Being Seated

Not Accepting Where You're Being Seated Please accept where I seat you. I understand you want a booth. But we only have four, and by dinnertime, I've already reserved them for my six other 6:30 reservations. And if you're a party of two, you're going to get placed at a two top. Not a full-size table.

Kyle Redman , K8 Report

Final score:

103points

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Hans 3 years ago

Frankly, why again not ask politely? There might be a perfect rationale behind the place you are seated, which is hiden to you as a customer, but it might have been a random choice out of many options.

52points

#20

Sitting At An Empty Table Without Asking

Sitting At An Empty Table Without Asking If you see a table with no one at it, that is not necessarily your table! There might be a reservation plotted for your table later that night. The restaurant limits how many people can sit in each time-block.

Jesse Sutton , Hitesh Dewasi Report

Final score:

86points

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LOttawa 3 years ago (edited)

If it's reserved, shouldn't there be a note on the table saying so? If not, and there's no hostess to sit us down, how are we supposed to know which table is free and which one isn't? *Just mentioning that I said if there are no hostess, I did not say, what if the hostess is unavailable. The post makes no mention wether there is one or not, makes no mention of what type of restaurant it is (fancy or not).

48points

#21

Tipping Is Important

Tipping Is Important Tipping is not mandatory, but servers live off of our tips.

Edith Deween , Sam Dan Truong Report

Final score:

72points

POST

Francesca Annoni 3 years ago

Only in USA...

246points

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What do you think ?

POST

Sam Kunz 3 years ago

I've been in the industry for 11 years now. A manager now. But started as a busser and worked my way up. A lot of these I agree with. I think people who snap their fingers for waiters should be thrown out on their asses. But other things like ordering off the menu, remember you are in a CUSTOMER IS KING business. My restaurant, if we got the ingrediants will make you anything and the chef loves a challenge. I think some diva servers forget that they are there to serve the customer. And that's the end of it.

30points

Consequential_mishaps 3 years ago

I completely agree with you on this, rude and obnoxious behaviour should never be tolerated but some of this nonsense about "don't call me a waiter" stuff is just idiotic. And especially in the USA where you are not being paid by your employer but by the customers because of the sick mentality business owners have there, which essentially means the customers are paying your salary. I know this explanation seems like overkill but I felt was warranted since some people complaining here seem to not understand the concept clearly.

18points

BlackestDawn 3 years ago

There is a difference between asking/requesting (politely) and demanding. I agree that the hard-line stance of "never" in many of these goes too far in "that" direction, but we shouldn't go as far as we can in other direction. We need to find a reasonable medium (or rather span) and remember that every restaurant is slightly different in this regard.

10points

King Joffrey 3 years ago

I disagree with the ordering off the menu business. Someone worked hard to plan the menu and if you don't like the restaurant's dishes, you can go elsewhere. And there's a special place in hell for people who treat waiters as their servants.

2points

ℜ𝔬𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱 ℭ𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔢 3 years ago

Great news! I have 1,013 points! Bored-Pand...60e8d0.gif

-1point

Aunt Messy 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

troufaki13 3 years ago

Respect goes both ways though. If I (politely) ask for water, just because it's free doesn't mean you can ignore me. I'm thirtstyyy T.T

21points

Kiss Army Premium 3 years ago

I wish servers would understand this. Just because I order water doesn't mean that I am cheap and won't tip well. (I always tip good service at least 20% and great service even better). I do not like the taste of alcohol, I drink only diet pop and don't have caffeine in the evenings because it makes it hard for me to sleep. Most places do not have any drinks that are alcohol, sugar and caffeine free other than water, but for some reason when we order water there are some serves that we can see a visible shift in their attitude because they somehow judge us as unworthy of good service because ordering water somehow makes us look cheap and like we will be bad tippers.

17points

Nevits Yibble 3 years ago

Okay so let's now have a thread on how to appropriately treat customers. We've all had our share of rude staff, terrible food, bungled orders, diva chefs and negligent management. You spent hoards of cash on advertising to get us in the door. Just care about us when we get there

17points

Catlady6000 3 years ago

It's worse when you're a server, and you know how it should be. It's where I'd rather go to McDonalds than a nice sit down.

5points

Al Christensen 3 years ago

I agree with all of the above, but will there also be an article about things bad waitstaff do? :)

8points

Catlady6000 3 years ago

You probably won't want to read that one. Saying this as someone who has been in the industry for 30 years

0points

Candice Ravel 3 years ago

Something I've noticed at almost every restaurant I've ever gone to is when I dine alone, the service is nonexistent and 9 out of 10 times, the server completely ignores me. I'm always courteous and I tip very well, so after this continually happening, I always just sit at the bar and the bartender benefits from my tipping. Servers have a hard job, but them assuming lone diners don't deserve to be treated kindly should think again. It's very frustrating when it happens.

7points

Catlady6000 3 years ago

I always took my cues from the individual. Some lone diners want, even need to be left alone, others want or even need someone to chat with. I really Started doing this after I had my mother committed, extremely stressful experience. Stop at a restaurant on the 4 hour drive back home, all I wanted was quiet to enjoy my steak and escape into my novel, and the waiter insisted on chatting, got offended when I finally asked to be left alone. Never came to my table after that, although he made sure I saw him look at my empty glass a few times. Which was ok, his manager was very kind. I think it may be that most servers don't know how to relate to us lone diners, so they shy away, kinda how like some don't know how to handle when things go wrong, so never go back to the table because they're embarrassed. Which of course just makes it worse

2points

Aroace tiger 3 years ago

Most of these are obvious. Its sad how some people act..

7points

whateves 3 years ago

Suprised there was nothing on people trying to be clever with their order. I had a friend who instead of ordering her steaks 'as rare as they can legally cook it' she would say 'I'd like it to gently moo when it hits the plate', bout 80% of the time they had no idea what that ment and defaulted the order to 'medium'

6points

Bill 3 years ago

Kick off its horns, wipe its ass and put it on the plate

3points

Hans 3 years ago

Frankly, all of these can be subsumed as "be polite and resepctful", and many do not make sense to be taken to strictly, as going to a restaurant is more than just stuffing your belly. People, talk to each other in a corteous way, and everything will be all right.

5points

AliJanx 3 years ago

I am a woman who often eats in restaurants alone. Please don't seat me next to the kitchen or bathrooms, when plenty of tables are available. I will always ask to be moved, if other better tables are available.

4points

Phil Rod 3 years ago (edited)

Legit Asian restaurants in the US will make anything they can if a customer requests it. To them it is good business sense. It is also how it works in places in China and Vietnam from my experience. Though the Japanese don't like to deviate from the menu. On the upside, Japanese will always serve what's on the menu, but I've been to plenty of restaurants in places like Beijing, where I'll ask for something on the menu and then another thing, and then another, until the waiter finally nods, saying they can make it

2points

Batwench Premium 3 years ago

Remember that 3 little words that you can use will be nicer for everyone. They are “please” and “thank you”. You wouldn’t be surprised if you have worked in this area how they are often forgotten about.

1point

Alethia Nyx 3 years ago

My other big pet peeve is grown adults who take off their shoes in a restaurant (yes it happens). It's understandable when kids do it they don't know better, that becomes annoying when the parents don't make them put them on when we tell them. But grown ass adults walking around a restaurant without their shoes on, it's a major safety issue, not to mention gross!!

1point

John Baker 3 years ago

I've never in my life seen anyone do this.

2points

Solrac 3 years ago

What I hate about waiters: when they're in a hurry and give you no time to go through the menu to select what you want. Why bother having a menu with a long list of options if you don't allow customers to calmly select their dishes ?

1point

Azure Adams 3 years ago

Remember the ultimate rule: Don't mess with the people who handle your food!!!!!!!!!

1point

Jenifer Riggs 3 years ago

I've worked in a non-chain restaurant for 10 years, from my experiences this whole customer is king nonsense allows some people to be unreasonable and rude. Is it so wrong to want to be spoken to or treated decently? That said, I agree with @Sam Kunz that servers shouldn't be divas. You have to be the bigger person and face down people's rude behavior with professional charm.

1point

MizAdeleM 3 years ago

I humbly ask servers reading this: my sister stacks the plates on the table when we are all done eating. I ask her not to, and she says that she is "helping out the waitress". Is this a no-no?

1point

Ren Karlej 3 years ago

If you mean is it the done thing? Not in a posh restaurant no. If you mean is it helpful? Mixed. People don't do the way the staff are trained to. They'll have their own quick systems in the kitchens for getting the plates, glasses and silverware dealt with. I've had to re-order things because it's been done in a way that's just a nuisance. I've not let on because people mean well. People often make things worse and it's just best to let the staff do their job.

3points

Catlady6000 3 years ago

As long as she an do it safely, go for it. No leaning towers of dishes and Do NOT stack glass glasses. They can form a vacuum when stacked inside each other and be very difficult to separate. This is a pet peeve of mine. A few years ago, I watched a server break a glass trying to separate them, the broken glass sliced a tendon in her palm, allowing her thumb to lie along the back of her hand. So, yeah, don't stack glasses

2points

Amanda Reicha 3 years ago

My husband worked in a diner when he was younger, first as a bus boy. He always appreciated the plates that were stacked. It made it easier to do his job quickly. He always stacks the plates, puts silverware on top of them and napkins on top of that. He stacks cups if there are any and he pours the drinks into the cup that is on top.

0points

Aunt Messy 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Avery Day 3 years ago

highly irrelevant article... who is dining out these days? Restaurants and bars are closed here. Ups, forgot that most of boredpanda is about the US of A

0points

Keryl Cryer 3 years ago

I don’t understand adults being picky with their orders if they know they’re going to a specific restaurant ahead of time. There’s this wonderful thing called the internet, and there’s this wonderful thing called a phone. I’m vegetarian, and I’ve had to go to my share of steakhouses and seafood places for business or events. When I find out where we’re going, I tend to call the restaurant and ask what they can do. They appreciate it because they can prepare, and then I’m not stuck with just a salad.

0points

Persp Gold 3 years ago

Pay attention and I won't have to.

0points

Aria Singh 3 years ago

I have never done any of these. There was this one time my mother yelled at the manager because they were taking food and not letting the kids eat( Me, my sister, and my 2 friends). Yeah my mother was pissed..

0points

Brett Connor 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Rissie 3 years ago

Yeah. No. The answer to assholes is not to act like one yourself.

5points

Sam Kunz 3 years ago

A corporate chef. I would expect nothing g less. We don't hire corporate chefs for this very reason. I notice no really notable places on your resume you offered. It's the very reason you stated. You call a CUSTOMER a bitch, you order staff to physically assault people. I'll bet your exile from the industry is less self imposed than your having a bad reputation.

2points

David Retsler 3 years ago

You come across as an arrogant twat. Pisces also eat worms and swim in their own poop water.

2points

John Baker 3 years ago

I certainly hope your cooking was better than your grammar and spelling...

0points

POST

Sam Kunz 3 years ago

30points

Consequential_mishaps 3 years ago

18points

BlackestDawn 3 years ago

10points

King Joffrey 3 years ago

2points

ℜ𝔬𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱 ℭ𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔢 3 years ago

Great news! I have 1,013 points! Bored-Pand...60e8d0.gif

-1point

Aunt Messy 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

troufaki13 3 years ago

Respect goes both ways though. If I (politely) ask for water, just because it's free doesn't mean you can ignore me. I'm thirtstyyy T.T

21points

Kiss Army Premium 3 years ago

17points

Nevits Yibble 3 years ago

17points

Catlady6000 3 years ago

It's worse when you're a server, and you know how it should be. It's where I'd rather go to McDonalds than a nice sit down.

5points

Al Christensen 3 years ago

I agree with all of the above, but will there also be an article about things bad waitstaff do? :)

8points

Catlady6000 3 years ago

You probably won't want to read that one. Saying this as someone who has been in the industry for 30 years

0points

Candice Ravel 3 years ago

7points

Catlady6000 3 years ago

2points

Aroace tiger 3 years ago

Most of these are obvious. Its sad how some people act..

7points

whateves 3 years ago

6points

Bill 3 years ago

Kick off its horns, wipe its ass and put it on the plate

3points

Hans 3 years ago

5points

AliJanx 3 years ago

4points

Phil Rod 3 years ago (edited)

2points

Batwench Premium 3 years ago

1point

Alethia Nyx 3 years ago

1point

John Baker 3 years ago

I've never in my life seen anyone do this.

2points

Solrac 3 years ago

1point

Azure Adams 3 years ago

Remember the ultimate rule: Don't mess with the people who handle your food!!!!!!!!!

1point

Jenifer Riggs 3 years ago

1point

MizAdeleM 3 years ago

I humbly ask servers reading this: my sister stacks the plates on the table when we are all done eating. I ask her not to, and she says that she is "helping out the waitress". Is this a no-no?

1point

Ren Karlej 3 years ago

3points

Catlady6000 3 years ago

2points

Amanda Reicha 3 years ago

0points

Aunt Messy 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Avery Day 3 years ago

highly irrelevant article... who is dining out these days? Restaurants and bars are closed here. Ups, forgot that most of boredpanda is about the US of A

0points

Keryl Cryer 3 years ago

0points

Persp Gold 3 years ago

Pay attention and I won't have to.

0points

Aria Singh 3 years ago

0points

Brett Connor 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Rissie 3 years ago

Yeah. No. The answer to assholes is not to act like one yourself.

5points