What a server means when you don’t know what they mean (Terminology)

If you have any server friends, you know what being cut means. No, not like I was making lemon wedges and sliced my finger cut, more like “I’m cut so I can finally get out of here”. These words that have such a bad connotation sound so magical after a long shift at work. Getting “cut” cannot be desirable in any other context.

There are others that can probably be figured out like “side work” which is just what we have to do before, during, and after our shifts aside from actually serving tables. This can include restocking, sweeping, rolling silverware and anything else that needs to be done in a restaurant through the day.

There is also “stiffed” meaning we got $0 for a tip. “Bussing” which is just cleaning tables. “Tip out” which is a tip we have to give bartenders and food runners (the people who take your food to your table) for doing their job.  There’s all those, but my all time favorite serving expression has to be “I’m in the weeds” or “I’m weeded” meaning, “I’m so extremely busy I probably should not even be telling you I’m in the weeds because it’s taking away precious seconds from what I need to be doing.” It’s funny, I mean, who even came up with this term and from where? I can’t even begin to make up a story of how it came about because all I think about is someone actually standing in some bushes full of weeds.  There’s a whole code and language, but I would say, these are the funniest and most important. 

5 ways to become a better guest at a restaurant

Just a couple things that cross a servers mind sometimes......

11. If you are super extremely thirsty, just ask for a pitcher of whatever you’re drinking. It is always possible and we will not get mad when you ask. Promise.

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22.  If you want salt, ketchup, pepper, a side of ranch, some extra napkins and a shot of tequila for your taco, I would not mind you asking for it all at once.  

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33.  If you’re going to stack plates for me, which I really appreciate, it would be best to start with the biggest to smallest from bottom up so that I don’t look like a poorly rehearsed circus act trying to balance wobbling dishes to the kitchen.

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44.  I’m truly sorry that your steak came out well done when you asked for it medium but my title is waitress, not grill master so please don’t take it out on me or my tip.

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55.   I know my job is to serve you, as well as clean up after you, but I honestly do not want to touch your flu boogers and sneezes that you left crumpled up in a napkin next to your plate. We encounter so many different people and germs daily that you simply putting it on your plate would save a lot of illness.

It may seem like servers are always whining or complaining about someone or something, but if you just put yourself in the situation, there are things that really are just good old common sense. You can make your servers life a lot easier and your experience more pleasurable if you just pay attention to the small things. Try it and feel the good vibes for yourself when you’re aware of your server as much as they are aware of you. 

5 reasons you don't tip? and 4 reasons you're wrong

5 reasons you don't tip?
I came across this blog post in a search and I was kind of outraged, so i replied with 4 reasons he was wrong. He is not the only one who thinks this way gathering from his responses and comments, all of which are 98% misinformed or mis-assume as well.

It’s so crazy how wrong you are and so demeaning in your ignorance when you obviously have NO IDEA what you’re talking about.

1. It is part of a servers job to be friendly and pleasant. If you have some sort of issue with interacting with people or seeing people smile, then you should probably stop by a Wendy’s drive thru for dinner. Your bill that you think covers every expense, DOESN’T. Hence the reason tipping even exists. Servers on average make no more than $3 an hour which gets taken in taxes leaving $0 pay checks. This has nothing to do with the employer because even huge corporate companies work this way. You are left with the CHOICE of the amount of tip assuming that most decent knowledgeable people will leave something for servers to make at least a minimum wage hourly. It’s never really an issue because fortunately there are few of you out there that think the way you do.

2. You’re seriously talking about integrity with a post like that? Servers WORK for their money. It’s not all nice and written out in a check every Friday. Every dollar they get is EARNED. Obviously no thanks to rude, misinformed people like yourself.

3. Servers do not just take your food to you, and actually if you paid close enough attention, you would realize that there is usually a person who’s job is solemnly RUNNING FOOD. When you go out to eat you’re going for a service. You’re going out to eat because you want to sit, relax, and be taken care of. When you receive good service, YOU TIP. So if you still don’t get it, a server is there to “serve” you, and not for free because again, tips are the only source of income. You’re basically wasting space and air when you go out to eat. Just STAY HOME.

And lastly, If money does not grow on trees and this is your concern, you should probably consider the Wendy’s value meals when you’re in that drive thru. A server is not “lucky” to get your 10% because you obviously want and so desperately need it wayyyyy more. A tip is not a favor. A tip means someone making enough money for rent, to feed their family, or hell, a new pair of shoes.

If after 1000 comments and so much controversy of people trying to make you understand how you’re wrong and you still don’t get it, you’re simply put, ARROGANT.