Five Dollars An Hour

     Hey you. Yes you, the person sitting reading this silly blog. There's something that always bugs me. That is the general attitude that the average person treats the wait staff at restaurants. The discourtesy, disrespect, and overall disregard with which they are met is DISGRACEFUL. Let me take you by the hand and we'll check out exactly what that poor soul goes through.

     When you first enter the store, the nearest server available greets you and seats you in the next section in turn on the chart. Hopefully no one else has self-sat in that time thereby messing up rotation and double loading a server. Then, a server (possibly the same one) comes to introduce themselves and take your drink and appetizer order which they then enter your appetizer into a computer for the cooks. Following this, they go and get your drinks, and return for your food order. Once you have given it to them, they scamper back to a computer and input your food and beverage order. At this point they hope to be able to return with your appetizer order. They drop it off and run off to work on their side work, and check back a few minutes later to see how you are enjoying your appetizer. Then they go back to doing their side work while waiting for your food. Once you're done with your appetizer they take the dishes, either having already delivered or delivering your main order soon after. Back to the side work once again they go, returning shortly after to make sure you're enjoying your order. Once you're nearly finished it's check back time, they bring the check in their pocket and ask if you're planning on dessert. If you are, they take your order. If not, they leave the check on the table while they take any dishes you are finished with. If they do the latter, they check back a few minutes later to take care of it for you. If you order dessert,  they  take your order, your empty dishes, and then go and punch it in to the computer and then prepare it for you. Then it's back out to your table to serve it to you, and drop off the updated check. When the check is delivered, they have to point out your survey opportunity- a chance to tell their managers and corporate office what you thought of your visit. Once you leave, they return to your table and clear it, then reset the displays and wipe the table and seats with sanitizer and zoom broom the floor around your table. Then it's back to side work.


   But what IS this side work I speak of? Well, for each server there is of course the dishes- because of course there is no specific dish-person. Each server contributes to the running of the dishes. Then there's your daily assigned chore- salad bar, stocking, fountain, ect. And then there's a server's housekeeping (a completely separate chore) such as; cleaning mirrors, windows, dusting, bleaching coffee cups, cleaning sugar caddies and menus and other such tasks. They must also keep the soda machine stocked with ice, and roll silverware for the shift.

     I'm sure you think this all sounds simple- now take in to account that ALL of this must be done with EVERY table. That's a minimum of three visits to the table (three while laden with goods) two instances of prep work, and lots of running around. A typical table's visit probably lasts between 45 minutes to an hour and a half. If there are any issues, they must then find a Manager (they're masters of disappearing when you need them) and they know full well that pretty much every issue is going to be considered their fault. Whether it be that the kitchen took forever with a ticket, or there was a wait to see a server because they were busy with their other tables.

     Oh, now we come to the fun part. Did you know that servers don't even make minimum wage? True, a server stands to make quite a bit more than medium if their tables all tip at least properly (of course the super generous tippers DO exist and can make a server's day) however, on a slow day or when one has a table that is particularly disagreeable and then skimps with the tip it can be hard to make end's meet.

     Ahhh, the point of this little expressive rant of mine; the unwritten rules of tipping.  Generally a server expects 10% on an average visit. 15% if the service and/or visit was exceptional. This is NOT a difficult number to figure out. Say a single person went out for a meal and coffee and their total was 6.83- at 10% the tip would be 68 cents. At 15% the tip would be $1.24.  That's a LOT of work. Take it into account the next time you're in a restaurant. If you can't afford to tip- don't go out to eat.

Humble Beginnings

     And at last a breath of freedom passed her lips, here at last she could be free. Here at last her dreams and wishes could be written and become real. True freedom she knew could be found only in expression; and the muses had not neglected her. The words flowed fluidly from her mind to the page until hours seemed as only minutes, and this she knew, was only the beginning... 


     Welcome to my garden. Here I plant the seeds of my thoughts, and someday they may grow into something more. Until then, feel free to sit back and enjoy my garden.

      ~Night Rose