How to be a good customer when dining out

[blas]

I can't stress this enough....how the food tastes is NOT the server's fault. When you think you're being smart and teaching that server a "lesson" by stiffing him/her because the food was cold (and in 99% of these cases, the complaint wasn't ever made, or wasn't made until nearly the whole entire meal had been eaten), the cook who fucked up your food is still getting his/her hourly wage, and your server just got stiffed. Even though they did not cook your food for you, you just punished the wrong person. Hope that makes you feel like a super big cool customer now, asswipe!

Yes, I'm a little bitter. I was often "punished" for the cooks mistake(s). Not only that, most of the time they didn't complain until they'd eaten almost the entire thing!

[Lace Neil Singer]

I'm not a waitress, nor have I ever been one... but I will add this.

If you come to a restaurant on a Friday night, then if you want to be seated instantly, then for the love of cheese, make a reservation! Don't stand there bitching and whining cuz the waitstaff aren't rolling out a red carpet and seating you straight away, and certainly don't say "But there's empty tables there!" See that little cardboard thingy that has "Reserved" on it? Well, that means those tables are reserved, by people who took the time to ring up beforehand.

I say this cuz I and my boyf once went to a restaurant that he'd previously booked a table at, and were treated to a bitchfest from another couple who thought they should get the table before us, cuz they'd been there "for hours" (probably five minutes). You didn't book ahead, jackass, so suck it up and shut the fuck up.

[Peppergirl]

I don't see what the big deal is about splitting items. A lot of people, especially older folks (Hi Mom!) don't have the biggest appetites, and a lot of restaurants server large portions. If people will be happy splitting something, rock on.

I never *personally* cared if they split items, but the restaurant I worked at didn't allow it. My problem, as I stated, was people getting the attitude with ME for simply stating the rules, and it reflecting in my tip.

I dont have a large appetite either and can totally understand not ordering full portions or wanting to split, but I'm sure as hell not gonna take it out on the server if that's the rules.

[Evil Queen]

Okay, next time I am in Atlanta, I am soooo going to the Votex!

Please people, if you are going to leave a tip; Tip according to the original receipt if you use discount cards and/or gift cards. It's only fair since you would have originally spent that money anyways.

I am a FORMER waitress. But I am guilty of the following:

-YES, I whistle at the waitstaff. I also whistle at my staff. And co-workers.
-YES, I hit on the wait staff. Sometimes, after a long ass day schleping hot plates and smelling like french fries, it's nice to be told that you're cute under all that stress.
-I tip 20% and have only once left NO TIP at all. ONCE. At which point I mentioned to the manager (WHILE I WAS THERE) that I was very dissatisfied with his employee's wait staffing ability.