5 Tips for Handling a Bad Waiter

I agree with all of 1, and most of 3 and 4 (though I tend to speak with my feet) . However 2 is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. Tip is an acronym for To Insure Prompness (look it up if you doubt this). The servers job is to not just take your order and bring it too you. Part of the servers job is to insure that the kitchen staff is on the ball and that the host/hostess does not overwhelm them. If there is a problem in the kitchen or with serving stand it is the servers responsabilty to bring it to the attention of the dinning manager. To do otherwise is only to do half there job.

When I dine out, I am always reminded of how much I would not like their job. I am not built for it. As I feel it is mostly a thankless job (for the average server)
I leave 10% for poor service, 15% for average service and 20% for good service. I always tip with cash, even if I pay the bill with a creidt card.

First of all, the article does not deliver what the title promises. It does everything BUT tell you how to handle bad service.

Where are the five tips for handling bad service? The first two "tips" talk about what patrons should do for the waiter/waitress. The third "tip" tells patrons how they can avoid (not handle) a bad waiter by eating at the bar. The fourth "tip" deals with doing everything and anything BUT handle a bad waiter. The fifth "tip" tells the wronged patron to write a letter! How does that deal with bad service while the patron is getting bad service?

The simple, easy and best way to deal with bad service is to ask the server to get you the manager. That either creates an instant attitude adjustment on the part of the server or it gets you the manager who will correct the situation in a New York minute, if the restaurant is worth your patronage.

how about the cooks, great food and the waiter gets paid for it.

For some reason, some Chinese restaurants seem to be able to keep their number of customers despite rude waiters, bad services, and lousy atmosphere. Those are the one that have handwritten paper notices of "DO NOT WASTE RICE" pasted all over the place. I don't know what's their magic. I guess Chinese people tend to care about taste of food more and able to ignore/endure everything else...

I was at a hotel restaurant once for breakfast (business trip with boss) and had a horrible waiter. When it came time to pay the bill my boss said to let him handle the bill and he left a very low tip. We all left at the same time and the waiter chased us down outside of the restaurant saying that the tip would not even cover some "per ticket tax" the servers were charged. Sounded like BS to us and we told him next time do a better job. My boss also went and complained to the hotel management.

Great article. Please check your spelling before posting.

Pretty much this whole article can be filed under DUH. Let this former waitress tell you all you need to know about dining: 80% of customers who have a bad experience in a restaurant leave without saying nothing. Be that other 20%. I value my money, I care about spending it on someone who waited me like they were at gunpoint. Yes I've used that comment as feedback before. That and "No offense but I've seener cheerier funeral directors than our server." When you politely complain to the manager, whether you do it with sarcasm like I do or not, you will not only feel better, you'll make the establishment aware of their shortcomings, possibly helping them, and raising the bar for future patrons. We need solidarity on this one or the bar will go even lower.

When I waitressed I always waited on people with the service I would like to have. I'm finding it harder and harder to get that service. I cut servers some slack because I live near a college and they are probably tired students, but I still do not stay silent when they act like I insulted them by coming in. My big tip, I start out my meals with a smile and I tell them up front "by the way I use to be a server and I tip well for good service so give us your best." I usually get a smile and it insures I get good service. In turn, they get their best tip of the night from me.

I have worked in Customer Service for several years, Anytime I go out to eat, I am always polite to the server. I never get rude with them. I leave it up to them as to whether or not they get the tip or not.
I also make sure that I make a note of how much the tip was that I put on the receipt. I have had a few times where the waiter "edited" the amount I put on there. The ones who do make the amount bigger, I go back and make sure the manager knows about it, and WHO it was that waited on me. Those kind of waiters do not need to be working in restaurants.

Nice article, but sometimes you do just have bad service, no matter how much you smile, be nice or understanding just like in life sometimes there are bad people.

This article just gives excuses for the bad servers/waiters. The reason why people leave no tips is because the servers are on the front lines. No matter what industry you are in, the people on the front lines get blamed first. Especially if people have events planned around the dinner, they don't have time to deal with the managers. I don't treat the servers with disrespect, but I do see how they feel entitled to their tips, even when they just do their jobs. More than a 15% tip should be done for those that go above and beyond the call of duty. Most servers don't do that.

I agree with D who said "A tip is not something you are entitled too but rather something you earn. Poor service should not be rewarded with a tip, but good service should be compensated greatly. In addition to monetary tip let the manage knows that the service was good."

Servers are complaining that they make minimum wage or less and survive on tips, and it is up to the customer to pay them. I think you should talk to your managers and the executives. If they're making bank, then they should pay you better.

A lot of places in my area let you know up front that they automatically add a percentage of your total to the bill for "gratuity", whether you want to tip or not. Problem is, that means the staff have no incentive to earn that "gratuity". I was out to lunch with a group from work and my place setting was missing a fork. I asked our server "May I please have a fork? My place setting is missing one". She grunted/snorted at me, grabbed another place setting from then next table and THREW it at my plate from the other table (good aim, wrong profession). Is that considered acceptable behavior?

while i do agree that we should treat waiters with respect i have seen some nasty ass waiters who would just ignore the hell out of you just because of your race. Also they will be extra nice to white patrons.And the worst part is its the black waiters who treat white people well and ignore other races

Good, sound advice, not everyone is meant to be servicing others. Some just need training.

The nastiest customers are women using ladies rooms. It's a common cultural notion that men are pigs and women are dainty little puff powder flowers. But the reality is that women out-grime men 1000% for being disgusting animals in the lavatory. And anyone who's had the displeasure janitoring restrooms would agree.

Waiting to long for your check can be real irritating if you have some place to go.
Not having silverware on the table when the food comes or not getting your
water refilled. Sometimes I find myself getting up and doing things myself.
What does the server think then?

Waiting to long for your check can be real irritating if you have some place to go.
Not having silverware on the table when the food comes or not getting your
water refilled. Sometimes I find myself getting up and doing things myself.
What does the server think then?

Why are tips now almost required? Tips were once a way to reward good service and now you are paying part of their paycheck. I don't get it!

the idiot who wrote this and others who agree with him are just that a idiot and they were probably servers themselves. when your server doesnt come around i will tell her or he be sure of that , if they come around to where it very disturbing i will tell her or him you know the ones that come back every 5 min while your trying to have a conversation! servers need to take a class on manners! most young and dumb. if i get one thats rude and theres alot of them no! tip and i let them know i'm not leaving one and tell the manager and write the company! and here's a good one i carry monopoly money and leave a dollar for there thought's and this idiot who wrote this

and they yell and snap there fingers because there waiter or waitress ignore's them because there freakin lazy