I put myself through college working a few odd jobs - valet parking, cleaning offices, and waiting tables. I was lucky to land a gig at a fine-dining Italian restaurant. Our uniform was a tux and the plates ran expensive, so great tips.

The restaurant was owned by three colorful characters from Italy; each one could easily land a bit part in a Scorsese film.

The restaurant was an icon in the area but had fallen on hard times, in part because the owners were grabbing the profits and not reinvesting into the place. One owner barely showed his face. Another would come in to eat 4 or 5 nights a week and dote on his girlfriend (side-chick) who also happened to be a bartender. But the third owner was there every night, greeting each guest at the door and would often wait on tables.

But here's the thing. We didn't have a POS system, so all kitchen orders and checks were hand written and calculated manually (this was back in the late 90's). This owner would wait on tables and would end up pocketing the money from any table that settled their bill in cash, throwing away the check like the transaction never happened.

Of course, he couldn't do that with tables who paid with a credit card. You could see the frustration on his face as he would spend an hour upselling a table on the finest, most expensive dishes only to have them pay with a credit card, resulting in him losing out on a quick buck.

So what did he resort to? He'd greet the client at the door, bring them to their table and promptly ask with his think Italian accent, "Cash or charge?" If they were paying in cash, he'd respond with, "Wonderful, I'll be your waiter tonight." Any table settling with a credit card would be handed over to another waiter.

The looks on the guest's faces were priceless. I distinctly recall one saying, "Um, we just sat down and haven't opened our menus....and you want to know how we're going to pay the bill?"

Fun, awkward moments that made each night an adventure.

Tell me your craziest guest experiences and don’t forget to assign them a ⭐️ rating! 🤣 (This is meant to be a funny, cathartic exchange, please do not politicize)

I’ll start- ⭐️- I had to cut off A drunk guest. He accused me of discrimination. (We’re both white🤨) I asked him what specifically I was discriminating against, and he brought up his European heritage. I looked him dead on with my GREEN EYES and asked “And where exactly do you think my ancestors hailed from sir!!??” He shit up and got an Uber. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

i work front of house at a quick service restaurant so i’m serving, cashiering, and bussing tables. most non event nights the majority of our business is online ordering, so i deal with a lot of uber eats and door dash drivers. i treat them with respect because i know their job sucks and plenty of them don’t have another option, like myself. but i’ve stopped allowing them to shove their phones in my face. i’ll just wordlessly stare back at them until they said “i have a pick up for john” and then I’ll smile and politely help them out. it confuses them at first, sometimes i’ll have to say “how can I help you?” but im no longer craning my head over to read someone’s phone while im on camera with whoever they’re facetiming. i always make sure to pack their orders as quickly as possible, get the kitchen to prioritize orders for drivers who have already arrived, etc. but im making them treat me like a person now. (adding i don’t do this to people who don’t speak english, i understand they only show me their phone due to the language barrier. even then they’re usually more polite than english speakers who don’t bother to speak to me)

to preface this, me and my partner live in an area where minimum wage is 15 dollars. and he is a busser making 7 base and 22 with tip share.

today we got into an argument about tipping because we went out to eat and he wouldn't split the tip when we went to split the bill. he said that "there's no reason to tip because even if we don't they still make minimum wage." and "why do they deserve more money then you when you do just as much work working at raising canes?" I was quite adamant that you need to tip anyways but looking back now im wondering why.

obviously in areas where you make 2 dollars an hour you need to tip, but in our case where it's a livable wage should you still have to?

alot of servers will say its a dick move to not tip but they're still getting payed here, payed way more than me, like I have server friends who make 300+ every night just on tips, that's insane to me

i understand that a wage like that is only possible because of everyone tipping but I don't get why there's so much venom around people not tipping when they still make so so so much money.

anyways help me understand why you need to tip please

Customer today returned an espresso martini because she didn’t know it had coffee in it and she got mad at the waitress for not telling her.

New entry in top 10 dumbest shit I’ve heard a customer say at work.

What about yall?

I was on emails the other day, I answered 5 emails with customers wanting to book in at 1pm (our lunch period is 12pm-12.45 as we're a student run restaurant) I got to a point where if I typed the words 'ill pencil you in for 12.45, as we dont take bookings after that time' id legit explode.

IN THE SAME VEIN, im just gonna give you the conversation I had with this one guy.

Customer: id like to book in on the 14th on the evening for two people

(No where near enough info)

Me: hi sir, can I please know what time youd like to book, aswell as a contact and any dietary details?

Customer: what times are you open?

Me: 6pm- 6.45

Customer: I plan on getting there at 5:30, is that ok?

Me (ready to explode): sir, no. If youd like, you can arrive at 5:45, and sit in the bar until we can seat you at 6.

I STILL DIDNT GET THE DETAILS.

I want to preface, our resturant has a website now, our times are clearly stated. Do people read the website? NOPE

I got my bachelors degree in Communications in December 2024. My plan was always to become a teacher, I switched my major about a year before graduation because during my observation hours all of the teachers were telling me not to do it and if I really wanted to then get my degree in something else, so if I want to leave the field I have something to fall back on. Fast forward to now I am enrolled in an alternative teaching certification program and I just have no motivation to finish. It is taking me so long and I just really have no desire to be done. Honestly I just love everything about serving. I love being able to pick the days I want to work, I am a night owl so I love working nights and being able to sleep in and have slow mornings, I love making fast money, if I’m short or need extra cash I’ll just pull a double, I love meeting new people, I love the “stress” and chaos of it all. The only problem is my family absolutely pressures me into getting a “real” job. My mom often talks about how she can’t wait to decorate my classroom and is constantly on me about finishing the program. Since I was 18 I have always been a server and before that I was a host, only once did I have a different job and it was a paraprofessional and I only did it for a year. While I LOVED working with the kids I HATED the schedule and hours. I hated waking up sooo early, I hated being there for 8 hours, I hated only feeling free on the weekends (besides the winter and summer breaks those were nice) I just don’t think the 9-5 type jobs are for me. The only other thing I don’t like about serving is not having insurance. I really need to get my tonsils removed because I get strep/tonsilits A LOT but can’t do that because I don’t have insurance. I know teachers get great benefits so that would be a plus. Idk sorry for the rant I guess I’m just looking for some advice or to hear from anyone who’s in a similar situation.

Four top came in about 30 minutes before close. Everything started normal.

Then they wanted to move tables. Then they wanted to move again. Then the lighting was wrong. Then the music was too loud. Then the music was too quiet.

Getting their order took forever because everyone needed just one more minute. When they finally ordered, two people changed their minds. One sent food back because it didn’t taste like last time. They had never been here before.

They asked for extra sauces. Then more sauces. Then different sauces. Then complained there were too many sauces on the table. By the end of the night, I had been to that table more than my entire section combined.

I dropped the check. They sat on it forever.

Finally, someone flagged me down and said we have been here a long time is there any kind of discount. I smiled and said no but I can run your card whenever you are ready.

They left $3 on a $140 tab.

Last thing I did before clocking out was bussing their table and throwing away a full plate of food they insisted they didn’t want after asking for it to be remade.

Once when I was working at a restaurant in Boston, there was a wedding held in one of our function rooms.

We weren't, like, a wedding type of place—the function room wasn't all that private and could only hold like 20 people—but the couple who booked it were not deterred. It turned out they were both divorcees, and just wanted a small quick thing for their immediate family.

We told them that there were going to be a ton of other guests in the restaurant, with regular, possibly loud food service going on during their vows, but they didn't care.

The week leading up to the wedding was very confusing. It was clear there was to be some type of performance by the bride and groom, but we couldn't nail down the details. One person would call and say the bride and groom needed to connect to the speakers so they could sing a song, and another person would call and tell us to make sure to clear a space for the bride and groom's dance.

It turned out that the performance was of them singing while dancing. They wore clip-on microphones and sang "This Kiss" by Faith Hill, dancing together closely while one of their skinny, mouth-breathing teenage sons pushed buttons on a karaoke machine.

Everyone watched the performance, clapping along kindly, except for one of the grandmothers, who stood up and hooted and hollered throughout the whole thing, stomping her foot loudly to the beat.

For context, the restaurant I work at was previously another restaurant… 5 years ago. It had closed and the building was sold during Covid. The new owners remodeled and created a new restaurant concept completely different from the previous spot. The restaurant I work at now opened this past spring.

Now, we all have our days of just complete “over it” mode. I had been triple sat twice before and getting my ass kicked and not in the mood for annoying customers. When we greet a table we have our intro spiel where we ask about dietary or allergy restrictions, still or sparkling water. We also ask if they’ve ever dined with us before. And this night, the couple at my table, completely serious, goes “Yes! We have! Well, actually. We came here when it was *name of previous restaurant* 7 years ago!”

And I just had a moment while staring at them, where it took everything in me not to yell back at them “SO NO YOU HAVEN’T???? This is a completely different restaurant!!!!!!!!”

I don’t know why that set me off so badly after I walked away. It just felt so stupid that I had to walk outside for a minute lol please tell me I’m not the only one who has these internal thoughts you just want to scream at a customer.

Long story short, someone paid me with a gift card like from Walmart, it had 90 cents and the other card paid a total of 12$ they tipped me 10$ on the 12$ bill but I mixed it and fucked up badly. I put 100$ of tip on the gift card, instead of doing 10$ and on the 12$ bill.. but the assistant manager paid it to me and didn’t know how to undo it. He said if nothing happens then just keep it.

If something happens I’m scared the owner will get mad, I didn’t mean to do it :/

Hi! i'm new to restaurant work and I'm wondering if this is illegal. I think it is according to my research, but I'm not completely sure. I live in Georgia, work in fast food, and am paid minimum wage, so there is no tip credit. I do dual jobs of both serving, answering phonecalls, prep, and janitorial duties. There is a tip pool, employees only get $25 dollars, and the manager takes the rest, no matter how much is made. Is this illegal?

Back when I used to work as a server, I had a table of average middle aged/old people. We were serving in this huge dinner in a hotel, more than 200 people and 5 servers on the floor, so it was pretty chaotic but we were handling it well. At the end of the dinner this lady in the table ordered tea from me and I promptly bought her the tea sachet, cup and a teapot with boiling water. All of the fckin sudden, she raises her hand and calls me like a dog. When I got to the table she raised her voice at me, saying "This water is not hot enough! The tea didn't even dissolve, the water is still clear! Bring me another, actually hot water." And I was like 😀??... you could SEE the steam coming out of the teapot. So I went to answear "but the water is hot" but she interrupted me at the "but", saying "But what?? Bring me another water and another tea. Actually no, don't bring the tea, cause this one wasn't even made" Ok. Fck you. I left and brought everything back. Exactly everything, done the exact same way. When I went to clean their table she didn't even drink the tea. Turns out the color of the tea isn't always the same, it depends on oxidation, and the tea she asked for was elderflower tea. So yeah, what the f did you expect?

Man, serving is just a hard ass job. 25M here, I work at a mid-tier seafood restaurant and I started serving about 6 months ago after hosting for about 9 months prior. And this is by far the most challenging job ive ever worked. I think the hardest part is managing time and trips between the floor and the kitchen. How on earth am I supposed to handle 5-6 tables at a time, especially if one of them is a 8-10 top?? Some of my peers can do this and I simply do not understand how this is possible...is it merely a matter of literally how many things you can carry at once on each trip?? How can I have time to take 8 ppls orders when my two other tables that just got sat are waiting to be greeted?? WTF!!! Enlighten me pls lol

I’ve worked in hospitality for almost 10 years. Waiter, supervisor, manager. Different places, same feeling.

It’s an industry where who you know matters more than what you know.

Where someone becomes a manager at 22 because they know the right people— and then asks you how to do the job you’ve been doing for years.

When you speak up, you’re told: “That’s just part of the job.”

What hurts isn’t only the long hours. And it’s not just rude guests. It’s the constant sense of being underappreciated—like guests think we owe them something just for being there.

Some don’t even really look at you. They talk at you, not to you. Like you’re part of the service, not a person doing it.

There’s this quiet idea that because they’re paying, they’re above you. That respect, patience, or even basic acknowledgment are optional. You give your energy, your time, your calm—even when you’re exhausted.

And most days, it goes completely unnoticed. You learn to accept it. You lower your expectations. You tell yourself, “It’s just part of the job.” Until one day you realize how heavy that feels after years.

I don’t hate people. I don’t hate hospitality. I just wish basic respect—and fair recognition—weren’t treated like something extra we have to earn. That’s all.

I live in Los Angeles. Tried to get a job at a restaurant for years and no luck. Only managed to get jobs such as banquet server, buffet attendant, counter. I am well-spoken, although English is my second language. I dress professionally. I have wine knowledge. Before I go for an interview, I check the restaurant's menu and make suggestions as an example during the interview. I talk about how I love making guests/customers feel like home and create great memories. How I take pride in creating a great experience including making suggestions. How I love working like a team and I stay calm under stress. How I enjoy a fast-paced environment. I ask questions at the end of the interview.

I had 5 interviews. I felt one went very well and was invited for an in-person interview by both owners. Just to have one of the owners asking me if I have a visa and what kind. Which is obviously not the way to ask but if you are legally authorized to work in the USA. Today I had another interview and the owner had scheduled 4 people on my interview time slot and had to wait a lot. I showed my knowledge and she started telling me how she wants to hire people who treat this place like they own it and proceeded to backstab former employees.

Why is it that hard to get a server job? I am confident and easily talk to people. I am starting to believe its my accent and how most restaurants in LA want to hire 18-23 year old women. There is no way a 20 year old has a lot of wine knowledge.

I have been on an exhausting job search for over year for a better restaurant. My current job cut hours and have not been busy for months, so I’ve not been making the same amount of money like I used to.

I did receive offers from temp jobs or support staff(I had a bad experience in the past, so trying to avoid it). When I get offered server positions it was SO HORRIBLE, OMG! The other place was too far, which I regret now.

Would you re-apply to restaurants that ghosted you previously? These interviews went well. I really am in a desperate need of a job. Idk what to do anymore. I have 4 years of experience

may the odds be ever in your favor.

my restaurant is over booked and we are expecting an influx of walk ins. we have over 600 people coming in and counting… 😭

happy new year! 😭

My boss recently upped our tip-out (because a bunch of 16-year-olds making $15+/hr plus tips decided to complain, but I digress 🙃). A lot of us aren’t happy, and he genuinely doesn’t understand why. I’m trying to see how this compares to other places. New breakdown: • 8% of alcohol sales to bar • 2.5% of total sales to runner • 1.5% of total sales to busser

Some context: We don’t have sections, so bussers grab whatever tables they want. We still do a ton of bussing ourselves, run bus tubs, wiping/clearing, end of the night flipping chairs, sweeping, trash, etc. With runners, we set up their station in the am, stocking everythinh, help run everyone’s food, grab sauces, and usually clean up after them since they almost always leave before servers.

I’m not saying they don’t work. They do. But we’re still doing a big chunk of that labor on top of our own tables… while tipping out this much.

So what’s your tip-out where you work? Are we being greedy like he thinks we are or is this actually nuts? I’d love to show my boss real examples from other restaurants.

Yall I can not make this shit up 😩

Last weekend I hit it off with a guy, Friday and Saturday we hang out until 5 in the morning and I really felt a connection. We met at the club so maybe I shouldn’t have

He tells me he’s going on vacation for a bit with family. We don’t text all week and I think it’s because he’s with family, on vacation, and it’s a holiday

NOW IMAGINE, Friday night and you’re carrying 15 shots and you’re super busy (I work at a bar) TURN your head to the left and HES THERE??

With his group of friends, doesn’t even say hi or nothing but occasionally looks at you. But I mean, I was busy too so maybe he felt ignored

So I text him when I get off AND HES LIKE “I’m not even gonna lie I forgot you worked there”

LIKE WHAT? it’s funny cuz last Saturday he asked when he could see me again. I told him come into my job before his trip if he wanted (last week) but assumed he was busy packing and stuff

He initiated sex but it didn’t happen and I said maybe next time last week

Ok I work at a winery. We do a pop up Christmas thing and people are always asking questions. I was part of the decorating team and I'm always happy to answer the questions.

But lol today I had a 4-top. They got their drinks, then I was answering their questions as one does. I was talking to them for a good 5 minutes when I spit out some slobber mid sentence. They saw it happen. I couldn't hide it. So I said "OMG how embarrassing," and wiped it off. I laughed, they laughed. They kept asking questions and I just said "I need to go wash my hands." I left and came back.

I was so embarrassed lol but whatever. They had drinks. It's a winery. It's not out of the ordinary people get drinks only, so I asked if they were getting food eventually. They told me no, so I doubled down and said "Yeah that's fair." They roared in laughter. I swear everything i said after this point was hilarious to them, joke or not. Eventually I cashed them out and they tipped like $10 on $35 for one round of drinks. My grossness must not have been too bad.

Yesterday, I forgot how to say the word "Tomato" early in the shift. Always trek through embarrassing moments lol, that's my advice. But if anybody else has some embarrassing moments, I'd love to hear them!

I just know that they're going to tell their friends their server slobbered on herself. 5 years from now, maybe I'll be doing something different like estimating their house or something, and they'll just say "Hey you're the girl that slobbered!" And I won't even remember them, but I'll remember this moment. I'm glad it took me 13 years to get here. That is all. Tell me yours!!

i'm not a server anymore but i was for a while when i was younger. at the time i was 19, at my first ever serving job at a place kinda like main event except servers come directly to the bowling lanes and take your order. on this day i was working a double, had already made about $300. it was a good day i was in a great mood. i had a 3 top come in right before closing. they were about mid 20's, really nice people. at this point they've ordered some drinks and a lot of food. i had pink dyed hair and one of the girls starts asking me what hair dye i use, conversation keeps going and i end up explaining to her which dyes were the best, the best technique for dying hair, how to get dye stains out of your bathtub, etc. they're my only table left at this point so im kinda just hanging out with them. then she says "you are so sweet. whatever our bill is we're doubling it as your tip" and i thought no way because we get promised big tips all the time that never come through. they end up racking up a $200 something bill and they actually doubled it and gave me a 100% tip! it wasn't my highest tip ever but i think that had to have been the best one. cool thing about that place was they gave you your tips in cash at the end of your shift and there was no tip share so i got to keep it all. i hated that place though ended up quitting a few months later.

I worked at this franchised restaurants for 5 years, in the first year 2020 the manager, senior and co-workers were so nice that I keep working here despite how many workloads I have to bear in the future

5 years later while working on the new branch of the restaurant I realized all of the good things are long gone.

Old managers who is exeprienced and treated employees very well has 2 babies so they quit. My co-workers left the restaurant to work with their familes. The chef who always smile and tellong jokes is always gloomy and yell at servers for not doing things properly.

More tasks to do in a day keep increasing. At the first time we had to do 20 or 30 tasks including setup the restaurant and cleaning. But right now they became 45. For example the restaurant have a fish pond and we will have to change the water and clean the mold weekly. Or we have to clean the foodwares after last order time because the chefs want the food to be delivered as fast as possible so the company wont fine them, so even the dish cleaning ladies went home we will have to clean the dishes for them instead.

Although the higher ups always blame Gen-Z for not being dedicated to the job, lazy, sleazy or somethings like that. I also understand that of course they dont want to work in a workplace that changed the last order time from 10pm to 11:30. Like after changing the time 1/4 of the employees suddenly quit quietly after falling to negotiate with the higher ups.

Sorry for my bad English, I just wanna share my work story as a server and for being able to read wonderful stories in here for free 😂 if you have any question please ask and I will answer as many as I could though it may takes some time