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The first thing I’ll do after quarantine and this pandemic mess is go to a restaurant. I want to see how it feels to be welcomed, seated, asked ‘what would you like to order?’, be showered with ‘excellent choice,’ poured a glass of Chardonnay, and make up my mind what to get for dessert.

Most importantly, it’s the opportunity to be smiled at and smiled to, joyfully and with ease, like nothing else exists in this world except that restaurant, the food, your companion… and the server.

But this is where it gets tricky. In such a lovely environment like a restaurant, servers still have to deal, time to time, with a fair share of serial a-holes. And it’s not a-holes per se that annoy the heck of them, it’s their a-hole behaviors that refuse to abide by unwritten rules.

For those who’re wondering what the unwritten rules actually are, I’d say it’s half common sense, half being polite, patient, and understanding. But let’s hear from the servers themselves who shared honest responses to the “What unwritten rules do restaurant servers wish patrons would abide by?” question posted on Quora.

#1

Crying Children And Adults Who Ignore It

Crying Children And Adults Who Ignore It When children cry and cry and cry and cry in a restaurant, other people find it annoying. Please, take your child outside for a moment to calm him down.

Edith Deween Report

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people think of this as "that spoiled brat", but it usually are the adults to condemn and the children to pity.

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    #2

    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

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    A.M. Pierre
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #3

    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

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    A.M. Pierre
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #4

    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

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    Linda van der Pal
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.)

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    #5

    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

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    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #6

    Being Impolite

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

    Edith Deween , 7shifts Report

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    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #7

    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

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    로희
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #8

    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

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    Hans
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #9

    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

    #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

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    Mrs_ Possum
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #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

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    Iron Eddy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #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

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    80 Van
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #13

    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

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    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #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

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    Hayley Rodgers
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, so many judgemental assholes who care a whole lot about how others eat their food. No one is making you eat it well done, stop trying to make people eat it rare. FFS you jackwagons are WAY too into other people's business. (And no, it's NOT funny, you're the 12billionth person to make that "joke". It's dead.)

    Azure Adams
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't go to a sit down restaurant if your movie starts in 15 minutes! You should already be at the movie!!!

    Johanna
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never ever will i eat nearly raw meat. 🤢 Neither my friends nore my familiy will eat nkt-well-done steak.

    Christopher Bowers
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can make the juicest well done steak and still have it full of flavor too. I put in several seasonings and I love to top it with A1 sauce as well. Its all about who is cooking it, there is nothing wrong with well-done steaks.

    Leo H
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or how about the cook that cant actually cook a well done steak and it has to be sent back for a refire

    John Baker
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely. Anyone who can't do a well done steak without turning it into shoe leather has no right to be called a chef.

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    Analyn Lahr
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would you even sit down at a restaurant if your movie starts that soon?

    Marlowe Fitzpatrik
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who orders ANYTHING except fries or a piece of pre-cooked pizza if there's only 15 minutes till the movie? That's just stupid waste of food.

    James Baker
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This may be the first time I've seen a restaurant customer referred to as a "client"

    Happy Happy Gay Guy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I worked in a theater district and SMART CUSTOMERS would come in and state, "We'd like to eat and be out of here in 45 minutes, what do you recommend?" They were my favorites, they played fair.

    Colin Mochrie At Its Finest
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We always ask if we would be able to be out by X time - this is only before the occassional play as we don't do other stuff - and we always give plenty of time, anyway. Often I find that if you're nearby a place or are at the arlirport they will ask you when you have to leave so they can help you be on time.

    JessG
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All of you talking about well done steak, who cares how you want it cooked, just don't expect your well done steak to take less than 15-20 minutes.

    C.S. E.
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can understand someone who wants a well done steak, however, know that it will be the oldest cut they have available. Those who want rare get the freshest since the cooking won't be able to hide the fact that the cut is old; not necessarily expired, but likely one that has been waiting a fair while. A fresh steak and a borderline steak are going to taste the same when cooked well done. You takes your chances.

    Dilly Millandry
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, if dry ageing improves the eating quality of beef and it deepens the flavour, enhances the tenderness and texture by enabling the muscle fibres to breakdown in a controlled environment why would this make any sense at all? Fresh doesn't equal good when it comes to steak. Or are you saying these restaurants aren't keeping the meat correctly?

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    Javiera Gotelli
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    Only an american could order that inedible overdone crap

    CatWoman312
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    Order a hamburger come on a well done steak is cardboard

    Mystery Egg
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    If you want to order a well done steak, you should not be allowed to eat steak at all.

    Carrie de Luka
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like mine rare but I really don't understand the food snobbery. Some people have digestive problems and the more the meat is cooked the more digestible it is. Also, rare can carry risks. There is no justification for people acting like they're better because they like food cooked a certain way.

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    Radek Suski
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    They can just buy a cheap shoe and eat the sole instead

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    #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

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    Dilly Millandry
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #16

    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

    #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

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    LOttawa
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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).

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    #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

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    Ripley
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #19

    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

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    Hans
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #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

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    LOttawa
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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).

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    #21

    Tipping Is Important

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

    Edith Deween , Sam Dan Truong Report

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