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We asked the Web's best hospitality bloggers, like waiterrant.net's Steve Dublanica, author of "Waiter Rant," to describe the worst customer types they're forced to deal with. Their suggestions? The 16 unbearable people described below.
Did we leave a particularly pesky patron off the list? Have a tale of a personal encounter with one of these types? Make sure to tell us in the comments!
*FYI, restaurantgal.com helpfully suggests: "My standard tip is 30 percent. Because I figure the server is only getting about 60 percent of that, after tip-outs to the bussers and back waits."
Some charmers can't even take 30 seconds to place an order without taking a cell phone call. "I can't say how many times I want to take that phone and drop it in their water glass," says Steve Dublanica of waiterrant.net and writer of the best-selling book: "Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter."
A certain breed of over spenders skimp on the tip because they rang up a higher bill than they intended. Darby of atleastcallmemiss.blogspot.com had one customer go rooting around his car for tip money: "He told me that he couldn't find any more change in his car, and he handed me $0.31. Then he mentioned how he wasn't going to be able to pay the toll...so I told him if he needed the change, it was really okay. What else was I supposed to say?? He took the $0.75 [his change] and left his $0.31...weird. And he will still be a quarter short for the toll. If only he hadn't been a COMPLETE glutton, he would have had the money to tip his waitress."
Let's get one thing straight: A server is not the same thing as a servant. The immediate neediness the act displays alone is enough. "Don't make your waitress run around like you're the only people in the restaurant!" says "Bitter" of bitterwaitress.com. Ali of ev-boulevard.blogspot.com has even had customers whistle to get her attention.
We feel sorry for people who have terrible allergies, but not when they fail to communicate that fact until after the food has been served. "Don't say, 'I'm allergic to pine nuts,' after you start eating the pesto," says Dublanica.
The person who is ready to order but continues to read the menu and is annoyed when it takes the waitress longer to check in. This is the same person who is likely to be offended if you check in on them too soon.
Catching up with your friends? Fun. Sitting around long after you've finished, even though it's the height of the dinner rush? Jerk move. "If there's no one in the restaurant and you're making goo-goo eyes at your boyfriend, that's fine," says Dublanica. But if there's a wait at the door, you're keeping others from their meal and your server from her next chance to make money.
It's one thing to be a picky eater, but put the brakes on unreasonable requests. Greens instead of the side of roast parsnips? Probably fine. But the chef can't magically extract the cream and olive oil from the alfredo sauce that was pre-made for the night.
Customers who bring their own food really shouldn't even be called customers. As one Insane Waiter (allprowaiter.blogspot.com) blogger states, "A customer spends money." You don't go to a boutique to try on your own clothes, so don't go to cafe to eat your tuna fish sandwich. There are park benches just begging for your company.
Leaving a bad tip is bad enough, but trying to apologize for it ("Sorry, I'm just so strapped for cash!") is extra-tacky. You just ate out -- you'll get no sympathy from the person making less than minimum wage who attended to your needs for the past two hours. In the words of one Insane Waiter (allprowaiter.blogspot.com) guest blogger, is money "so sacred that it is better to snub a fellow human being than toss them a pittance for a job well done?"
Most Annoying Airline Passengers
14. The idiot who stands in the aisle rearranging their bag before stowing it in the overhead compartment.
freedryk, Flickr
13. The jerk who keeps using their phone even after the flight attendant has asked them to turn it off so the plane can leave.
Snakes on a Plane, newline.com
12. The one person on every single flight who seems to think their feet don't stink when they take off their shoes.
macbiff, Flickr
11. The late passenger who ruins your dream of having an empty seat next to you for once.
Carol Hartsell
10. Everyone in First Class. They won't even deign to look at you when you board.
garyhyme, Flickr
9. The person in the aisle seat who fastens their belt as soon as they sit down, only to sigh loudly when having to unbuckle and stand up to let in the other passengers.
seanmunson, Flickr
8. The one who refuses to admit that their bag is too large for the overhead compartment.
vincent®, Flickr
7. The people with the neck pillows. Often honeymooners or Scientologists...or in a worst case scenario, both.
6. The guy who snores the entire flight. Often the same culprit as #5.
caribb, Flickr
5. The guy who still thinks it's ok to recline in coach.
newyork808, Flickr
Comments:
Add a comment
Friday 01 May
By Juan Valdez
Waiters and waitresses need to understand and accept that the tip is optional. If I'm having a bad week of work and I don't like you and I don't have sympathy, I don't need to tip you. Especially when you're making 3x what I am, and all I can afford is a freaking burger! Sure, everyone around me is going to consider that rude, but guess what... fetching food isn't rocket science. You have no right to hinge your car payment on me.
Reply
Friday 01 May
By Aubrey
Juan,
You have obviously NEVER been a server. Do you realize that servers make a measly $2.13/hour? They DEPEND on tips! It is not the server's fault that you are having a bad day. Yes, serving food is not rocket science, but that is their job. Servers deal with all kinds of people, and (mostly) do it to the best of their ability, with a smile.
So, if you are choosing not to leave a tip because you are having a bad day, I hope your server spits in your food.
Friday 01 May
By Miranda
You obviously have never served before! At least servers are making honest money, maybe you should become a server if you can't afford to tip them! Servers make $2 and HOUR!! How is this twice what you make? You are the type that NOBODY likes to serve, I'm willing to bet you are the type that does run servers all over the resturant. You know the type that finished their first soda before everyone else at the table has time to even get theirs, then get upset because you don't have a new one there. Servers aren't there just for you! You shouldn't be aloud to go out to eat!
Friday 01 May
By Michelle
Juan,
While a tip is optional, the customary thing to do is tip a person that does a service for you. If you don't have the money to tip and all you can afford is a "freaking" hamburger, you could pack a lunch from home and kill two birds with one stone, eat something better than just a burger and save money!
As for "fetching" food, do you really think that is all a server does for you? What about the prep that goes into waiting on you, making sure you have the proper condiments for your burger, a drink to wash it down, napkins to wipe your hands and face, a lemon for your tea, (cut by the servers, by the way). All the stuff that goes on in the background of the foodservice industry, taking your order, making sure it is prepared the way you requested it, most servers have corrections made to the plates before they even leave the kitchen.
Your right, it isn't rocket science, but it is also not a job that can be done correctly by just anyone. As a restaurant manager, I personally have the opportunity to screen and interview applicants as well as oversee their training only to find that many people that attempt serving are just not cut out for the job. The servers are paid about half of the average minimum wage and the real income for them comes from the patrons. The rude behavior they are forced to deal with at times takes a special kind of person to learn to handle and do it well to inspire the patron to make a return visit.
I hope you don't think that a server is hinging just a car payment on you. Most of the servers I have dealt with are raising their families, and depend on the tips to pay for school clothes, shoes for their children along with rent, food, electricity, etc. No one could live on $4.19 an hour alone, let alone raise a family on that income!
Do the food industry a favor, until you can look at the real world and grow up a bit. Brown bag it!
Saturday 02 May
By Felicia
That is downright rude. YOU make the decision to go out to eat. If YOU are in a bad mood, go to McDonalds and subject THEIR employees(who get paid 3x the amount a server does) to your ignorant ways. If you don't have the money, had a bad week at work, think you should be waited on hand-and-foot, keep your tacky ass parked on your couch. $2.13 an hour is NOT enough to be your servant. We do choose that job, but we expect our guests to be decent and compensate us for our time and effort. And JUST so you know, on every dollar we sell in food, the server looses 2-3% as a tip out to bartenders, hosts, etc. So you STIFFING your server, means you just made your server pay for 2-3% of YOUR food. How, then, is that person supposed to feed themselves, let alone, make their car payment? Let that sit on your conscience for a while...
Tuesday 16 June
By tj
And people like you need to realize that eating in a restaurant is discretionary.
Wednesday 24 June
By Stella
THEN DON'T GO OUT TO EAT CHEAP IDIOT
Friday 26 June
By claudine
If u got a good service and u don't want to leave a tip, i guess u derserve a job that u make less money than servers. If u want to put up with the bull we have to put up with sometimes than become a server and enjoy our salary.
Wednesday 09 December
By brian
then get ramen noodles and don't bitch!
Thursday 08 July
By Jimmy
There are essentially two ways you can procure food...either you buy the raw ingredients and cook for yourself, or you go out where the raw ingredients are prepared, cooked and served to you while you do nothing. Simple! The minute you enter a restaurant and sit down, you are implying that for whatever reason you are valuing someone else making and serving you food as opposed to you doing it yourself at home. The reasons you are valuing restaurant service can vary from lack of time on your part, the atmosphere of the restaurant, cuisine that is different than what you can accomplish in the kitchen etc. Regardless, you are being provided with a service/convenience for the duration of your visit. As such, it is customary to tip accordingly for the service you receive. Not only is it a custom, but it is the courteous thing to do as a member of society.
As a bartender and server, I find that there are far too many people who can routinely afford to go out multiple times a week to restaurants and bars that provide table service, even go so far as to buy other patrons rounds of drinks, yet they can barely scrape together a meaningful tip when the bill comes.
I never expect huge sums of money for a tip, and I know when I don't deserve much of a tip. If you don't want to have to tip then dine out at 7-11 and McDonald's and don't bother coming to restaurants and bars. And don't worry people like Juan end up being blacklisted. Servers and bartenders always see same faces at different establishments, and we wind up knowing about many of the non tippers. We will go out of our way to provide sluggish service to people like Juan. Unfortunately because they are so ignorant they it takes them a while to get the idea if they get it at all...many continue to show up calling you by name like they are your brother.
Tuesday 25 October
By geena.
douchebag..... yeah thats you!
Friday 01 May
By carmen
Juan I am sure you wrote this to get a rise out of everyone. No one can be this stupid as to feel the way you claim to.
Reply
Friday 01 May
By saralara7510
Actually, I agree with Juan. I am not stupid and I have been a waitress.
First off, not ALL waitresses get paid $2.13 an hour. That is your CHOICE to take a job that pays such little base money.No one should expect to live off of tips or commission, that is just foolish. If you are car salesman and don't hit the commission mark, you do not blame the customers for not buying a more expensive car. You simply work harder with the next customer. At all of my waitress jobs, I received the current minimum wage plus tips. I also had to split those tips with the other servers on shift with me. Sure, that is not the norm, but I knew I could not live off the measly $2.13 an hour. Therefore, I found the places that were compatible with my needs.
Secondly, not all waitresses deserve a tip. Most try hard and do their job well. Do they deserve a tip? Absolutely. However, just like everything else in life there are those that do a poor job. They should be tipped accordingly. People forget what tipping really is. It is a compliment for good service, not a requirement. I never placed an expectation on my customers to tip me. Only if they felt I provided them with excellent customer service.
Third. tipping is also not a donation to charity. I could care less how many children you have to feed, when your bills are due etc. We all have those issues. If you want charity, then become a panhandler,not a waiter/waitress.
Reply
Monday 04 May
By jlady
Way to go, you said just what was right, and said it with grace. There are still some people out there with some class. ty
Sunday 10 May
By jd
Juan:
I will forgive your obvious ignorance as you most likely have recently arrived to this country from one of those third world countries whose citizens haven;t a clue to what is right or wrong. What I won't forgive, is what so many of our newly arrived residents are guillty of: Refusal to adapt their way of thinking to what is considered nraml in the country you NOW live in. You are an A$$!
Reply
Tuesday 12 May
By L
Waitresses and waiters seem to have forgotten that a tip is not obligatory.In my country the minimum wage is higher and tips are only given for good service in a pricey restaurants.If tips become automatic, then waiters and waitresses would not feel obliged to earn a tip through good service.
In case anyone thinks I am mean and ungrateful, I work hard in a low paid job (minimum wage) and do not receive tips.I work full time while also attending uni full time.
Reply
Saturday 16 May
By Christopher Sebastian
I lived in America until I was 25. Now I live in China. The tip expectations and tax requirements are completely different between the two countries.
In America, tips are expected and even required. In fact, the restaurants purposely pay their waiters like slaves because they can depend on the "trapped" customers to fill in the difference (more on "trapped" later...). Also, in USA, you need to pay tax. The combination of the tax and tip can turn a $10 meal into a $13 to $15 meal. Because of this, it feels to me like restaurants are a huge waste of money, and therefore my enjoyment of eating at restaurants is hindered. This is NOT because of the fact that I need to pay a tip (in fact, I love giving tips -- it's really fun!) -- instead, my enjoyment is hindered because I go in initially wanting a $10 meal, but then I end up paying way more than I wanted to -- up to 50% more! I would _much_ rather just be presented with the "real" price up-front ($10 should be $10, $15 should be $15). This Tip+Tax game is really just that -- a game to extract more money from the customer than they originally intended to spend.
In China, waiters make a reasonable amount of money -- comparable to a college graduate. Tips are almost never expected. Also, there is NO tax at all. So a 10-Yuan meal really is a 10-Yuan meal. Period. Then, if the waiter deserves it, you can give a tip if you want to. But you will never be looked-down-upon for not giving a tip. This is the way it should be.
Having lived in both systems, I can now clearly see that the American system is just a gimmick -- a business trick. The restaurants take advantage of all of the social pressure that exists in America to give tips. They are using Americans' generosity against them. This is a dishonest system that takes advantage of good, generous people.
If I could change something about the American restaurant industry, I would simply change the pricing models to make things more honest and fair to everybody: Set the waiters' salaries to a normal, reasonable rate so that they are not dependent upon tips. Then, raise the food prices to cover the difference. Finally, if you really want to be awesome, pre-include the tax in the menu prices. After doing this, the "real" price of a restaurant meal will be clear to begin with, and customers will no longer be "trapped", feeling like they need to give an additional tip in order to support the waiter for their hard work. In other words, I would simply apply the "McDonalds pricing & payment model" to all restaurants (not that I like McDonalds, but I think their prices are honest).
So, to conclude, I believe that the problem that a person like "Juan" faces is NOT that he is stingy or wants the waiter to work for free or can't afford a restaurant meal. Not at all. Very simply, people like Juan and I like to pay the price that we are originally quoted to begin with, just like any normal business transaction. If the "real" price is $15, just say so at the beginning, and we will have no complaints. But please don't say that the price is $10 and then expect another $5 before we leave. Just be honest!
Reply
Friday 22 May
By Christopher Sebastian
I lived in America until I was 25. Now I live in China. The tip expectations and tax requirements are completely different between the two countries.
In America, tips are expected and even required. In fact, the restaurants purposely pay their waiters like slaves because they can depend on the "trapped" customers to fill in the difference (more on "trapped" later...). Also, in USA, you need to pay tax. The combination of the tax and tip can turn a $10 meal into a $13 to $15 meal. Because of this, it feels to me like restaurants are a huge waste of money, and therefore my enjoyment of eating at restaurants is hindered. This is NOT because of the fact that I need to pay a tip (in fact, I love giving tips -- it's really fun!) -- instead, my enjoyment is hindered because I go in initially wanting a $10 meal, but then I end up paying way more than I wanted to -- up to 50% more! I would _much_ rather just be presented with the "real" price up-front ($10 should be $10, $15 should be $15). This Tip+Tax game is really just that -- a game to extract more money from the customer than they originally intended to spend.
In China, waiters make a reasonable amount of money -- comparable to a college graduate. Tips are almost never expected. Also, there is NO tax at all. So a 10-Yuan meal really is a 10-Yuan meal. Period. Then, if the waiter deserves it, you can give a tip if you want to. But you will never be looked-down-upon for not giving a tip. This is the way it should be.
Having lived in both systems, I can now clearly see that the American system is just a gimmick -- a business trick. The restaurants take advantage of all of the social pressure that exists in America to give tips. They are using Americans' generosity against them. This is a dishonest system that takes advantage of good, generous people.
If I could change something about the American restaurant industry, I would simply change the pricing models to make things more honest and fair to everybody: Set the waiters' salaries to a normal, reasonable rate so that they are not dependent upon tips. Then, raise the food prices to cover the difference. Finally, if you really want to be awesome, pre-include the tax in the menu prices. After doing this, the "real" price of a restaurant meal will be clear to begin with, and customers will no longer be "trapped", feeling like they need to give an additional tip in order to support the waiter for their hard work. In other words, I would simply apply the "McDonalds pricing & payment model" to all restaurants (not that I like McDonalds, but I think their prices are honest).
So, to conclude, I believe that the problem that a person like "Juan" faces is NOT that he is stingy or wants the waiter to work for free or can't afford a restaurant meal. Not at all. Very simply, people like Juan and I like to pay the price that we are originally quoted to begin with, just like any normal business transaction. If the "real" price is $15, just say so at the beginning, and we will have no complaints. But please don't say that the price is $10 and then expect another $5 before we leave. Just be honest!
In other words, the real ones to blame are the restaurants for not paying their waiters fairly in the first place and then expecting the customers to pay a second, unofficial bill before they leave.
Reply
Saturday 16 May
By yupmom
Very much agree. You are _GENIUS!!!
Saturday 16 May
By Jon
Christopher, so what you're saying is when you go out to eat in America you can't figure out that the 10 dollar meal is going to cost you 15. All you said is that you want them to put a 15 dollar price tag on the menu so you don't have to be intelligent enough to know you have to pay taxes and tip a person. You are so dumb that you want them to everything for you and feed you with a spoon.
Plain and simple no one is forcing you to go out to a restaurant. Not only are these people waiting on you but they are cleaning up after you also. Even when they have bus-boys to come in and clean the table up for them, they have to split their tips with the bus-boys. Guess what, eating out is definately more expensive. But you do it for the atmosphere and not having to cook and clean up after yourself. If you can't afford a decent tip or just too ignorant to offer a tip to someone helping you out and cleaning up after yourself then just stay home!
Another alternative is to go to your local fast food place and eat there, you can fetch your own soda's and throw your own garbage away when you're done! Enjoy the food!