Restaurant Workers Are Sharing What Customers Do Or Say That They Secretly Hate
Ask just about anyone and they'll probably tell you something they don't *love* about their job.
Recently, Reddit user u/Veeanniy posed the question, "Restaurant workers, what do customers do or say that you secretly hate?" Here are some of the most memorable responses:
1."When people eat everything on their plate and then say, 'I hated it' with a stupid grin. Yeah, super funny. I'll let the kitchen know."
2."People who insist on sitting outdoors then complain about the temperature, bugs, or noise."
3."When you take food to a table and they say, 'We also ordered…' I DAMN WELL KNOW, I CAN ONLY CARRY SO MANY THINGS AT ONCE."
4."Eat most of the food THEN complain they didn't like it and expect a refund."
5."Sometimes when it's not busy people walk in and sit at the only table in the whole place that isn't cleaned. Like plates and glasses left by the previous visitors. What are those people thinking? It's not that we're a small place with only two tables or something. We seat around 300 people."
6."People who let their kids throw s--t everywhere and not even attempt to clean up after themselves! I worked as a waitress for six or eight months, and it was my biggest peeve. Now when I go to eat with my toddler I always clean up everything after we eat, including the floor, kids are messy!"
7."When there's no price on the menu and then they go, 'Oh so it's free?'"
8."People requesting changes to their food or additions that aren't anywhere on the menu. If it isn't on the menu then we don't have it."
9."The restaurant I used to work at had food runners. It never failed when I would see the food being brought out and no one remembered what they ordered. For example, I'd say chicken Caesar salad, and everyone just gave a blank stare like you are speaking a different language."
10."The lack of please and thank yous irk me."
11."As a restaurant worker, one thing that I secretly hate is when customers snap their fingers or whistle to get my attention. It's incredibly disrespectful and rude. Just a simple 'excuse me' or a wave will suffice. It's important to remember that we are here to serve you with a smile, but we are not your personal servants. Respect goes a long way in the service industry."
12.Bartender here. I hate it when people ask for a double and then are shocked to see they're charged for two pours."
13."I worked as a server for a couple of months. The customers who annoyed me were the ones who wanted to argue with me about the pricing of the item or how a particular dish was made. I have no control over any of that so it's pointless for me to stand there receiving a lecture when I have so many other tables I have to get to."
14."Would you like to see a dessert menu? Oh, I don't know! What do you have? Ma'am that is the PURPOSE OF THE MENU I JUST OFFERED YOU."
15."Don't grab your drink off the tray a server is holding. It throws off the balance and if a whole tray of drinks ends up in your lap it is your fault."
16."If you go to a restaurant once every two months, don't act like you are a regular, even if it has been every two months for a decade. We have customers who come in EVERY DAY and are nice people and never mention it, so deal with it."
17."I work at Five Guys. I won't deny the prices are jacked up, but that has nothing to do with me. I've had several people say to me when I'm taking their order, 'Why do YOU, raise the prices this high?' Or when I tell them the total of the order, they are convinced I added fraudulent items to their order making it that high, like they can’t look at the screen in front of them and do the math."
18."It's annoying when customers act like servers don't matter or aren't important. Everyone deserves respect!"
19."'We're ready to order!' Great what can I get you? 'Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.'"
20."When they come in the last 15 minutes or stay 30 minutes past close."
21.And finally, "When asked if I could get them anything else they reply, 'A million dollars' like they are the most clever person in the world. I have to fake a laugh like I haven't already heard that 15 times that shift."
Restaurant workers, what are the most annoying customer habits you've had to deal with? Drop your story in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
