Monday, February 13, 2012

Things to NOT do While Going to a Restaurant

Ok, for those of you who don't know, I work in a restaurant.  I work at Della Ventura's Italian Ristorante and Pizzeria in Greer and have been there for three years.  Three years is plenty long enough to develop some pet peeves with customers, so I'm going to give everyone a little bit of restaurant "etiquette", so to speak.  I may update this at a later time with some more information, so you should pay attention to this.


1. Say the restaurant you're going to closes at 9.  Do NOT walk in at 8:45.  Or at least don't walk in at 8:45 and expect everyone to be happy that you're there.  If you MUST walk in so late, tip your waitress well.  


2.  Similar to number one, if a restaurant closes at 9, don't sit in your seat "chatting" until 10.  You can talk outside the restaurant.  Don't sit there and hold your waitress up, because she can't clean your table in her section if you're sitting there.  Also, the employees in the kitchen can't go home until you leave, because until you're out of the restaurant, we don't know if you're going to order something else or not.  AND, you're holding up the busboys and dishwashers, because they have to clean up the table and wash the dishes, which they obviously can't do until you LEAVE. See how much of a problem you are? Seriously... move.


3. We understand that you like your food how you like it, but honestly, if you make so many modifications to your food that it doesn't really resemble the original dish at all, then order something more normal.  OR, if you make 10 changes to your food and insist on having it that way, then don't pitch a fit if it comes out incorrectly. Suck it up and eat it.  It's not our fault you're difficult.


4. Everyone loves kids.  Well, except for the annoying/messy ones.  What do I mean by this?  The ones who scream and/or talk really loudly so that half the restaurant and its employees can hear them, or the ones whose parents allow them to order something really messy, like pasta in a lot of sauce or something like that.  Don't let your kids eat something that they're going to get all over the table, because you're not the one who's going to have to clean it up.


5.  For those of you who are really picky eaters, listen here.  If you don't like something, you can send the dish back and have the restaurant make you something else.  However, don't eat half of it and then send it back.  That's rude and most likely, the place isn't going to take it off your bill or give you a free dessert or something like that.  


6. Three things regarding your server... first of all, asking for 15 different things throughout the course of the meal is ridiculous.  You don't need five different kinds of dressing, three cups of ketchup, and so on.  Second, if you see that your server (a female in particular) has a wedding ring on, be considerate and don't flirt with them.  It's rude and almost degrading.  Grow up.  Third, tip well.  If your server was attentive and friendly, she deserves a good tip.  They make just over $2 an hour, so your tip is what he/she is living off of, and you have no idea how much it makes their day when they get a good tip.  


That's all I can think of for now.  If I missed any, let me know.  Just keep this in mind next time you go out to eat somewhere, like when some of you go out for Valentine's Day tomorrow.  

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