The economy is in a downward spiral so I understand that everyone is desperate to save a buck, and in my case, make one. A lot of restaurants, including the one that I work at, offer a day of the week dedicated to kids. Bring your kids in on the specified day of the week and one child eats free per every paying adult! It really is a good deal, and especially during tough times a lot of people take advantage of the promotion. Restaurant waiters and waitresses don’t mind it so much either. Like I said, times are tough and we’ll take whatever business we can in order to make a few extra bucks.
On this particular evening things were moving pretty slow. Most of the servers were getting bored and anxious. The manager on duty was contemplating on sending me home but I begged him to allow me to take one last table (that is, if one came in within the next couple of minutes). He agreed, and before I knew it, the hostess informed me that at long last, that I received a table. I eagerly grabbed a couple of beverage napkins and took a deep breath; this was the only chance I would have today to make some money.
I arrived at the table only to find two little boys. At first sight I was a little confused, but quickly thought it over and assumed the mother was in the restroom. I decided to just go ahead and get their drink order and as I left the table I noticed the hostess giving me a funny look. “Are they here by themselves?”, she asked. “No way, they’re just kids, how would they have got here.” As I answered her question I came to a realization. “Wait a minute, didn’t you seat them?”, I asked her. She told me she sat them but it was just the two of them. Now I was confused, so I asked the hostess, “When you asked them how many are in their party what did they say?” When the hostess told me that the oldest of the boys said it was just going to be the two of them I wanted to ask her what was going through her mind when she decided to seat to unsupervised children, but as a parent, my motherly instincts kicked in and I rushed over to their table. Sub-consciously, I was hoping to find an adult seated with them, but wasn’t surprised when their wasn’t.
On this particular evening things were moving pretty slow. Most of the servers were getting bored and anxious. The manager on duty was contemplating on sending me home but I begged him to allow me to take one last table (that is, if one came in within the next couple of minutes). He agreed, and before I knew it, the hostess informed me that at long last, that I received a table. I eagerly grabbed a couple of beverage napkins and took a deep breath; this was the only chance I would have today to make some money.
I arrived at the table only to find two little boys. At first sight I was a little confused, but quickly thought it over and assumed the mother was in the restroom. I decided to just go ahead and get their drink order and as I left the table I noticed the hostess giving me a funny look. “Are they here by themselves?”, she asked. “No way, they’re just kids, how would they have got here.” As I answered her question I came to a realization. “Wait a minute, didn’t you seat them?”, I asked her. She told me she sat them but it was just the two of them. Now I was confused, so I asked the hostess, “When you asked them how many are in their party what did they say?” When the hostess told me that the oldest of the boys said it was just going to be the two of them I wanted to ask her what was going through her mind when she decided to seat to unsupervised children, but as a parent, my motherly instincts kicked in and I rushed over to their table. Sub-consciously, I was hoping to find an adult seated with them, but wasn’t surprised when their wasn’t.
I didn’t want them to get scared so I nicely asked them if they were here alone as I sat down their drinks. The younger boy happily answered, “My mommy’s in the car!” The older boy looked humiliated and it broke my heart, but I had to press on. “She sent you in here by yourselves?”, I asked them. The boys sensed that something was wrong with the situation and hesitated to talk to me there after. I informed the manager and he headed out to the parking lot to retrieve the mother. This irresponsible, clueless, not to mention cheap, woman was sitting in her car with her infant daughter.
Her excuse was, “I told them to get it to- go, kids eat free today right?” I was livid and so was my manager, so when I put the woman in her place, he didn’t stop me. I told her, “First of all, never send any child in a restaurant by themselves, we cant be held responsible for your kids, second of all, kids eat free per paying adult, and here’s the check for the drinks they ordered, third of all, how are two young kids gonna tip?” She didn’t like my tone so she asked my manager, “Well, can I get it to- go?” My manager took her order, and upon delivering her to-go order, he also delivered her bill… “Don’t kids eat free?” The dumb broad still didn’t get it! “Yes, they do, but per paying adult, and only while dining in”, my manager managed to say politely. The woman paid (No tip. Surprise, surprise) and took it out on her poor, already embarrassed kids.
Her excuse was, “I told them to get it to- go, kids eat free today right?” I was livid and so was my manager, so when I put the woman in her place, he didn’t stop me. I told her, “First of all, never send any child in a restaurant by themselves, we cant be held responsible for your kids, second of all, kids eat free per paying adult, and here’s the check for the drinks they ordered, third of all, how are two young kids gonna tip?” She didn’t like my tone so she asked my manager, “Well, can I get it to- go?” My manager took her order, and upon delivering her to-go order, he also delivered her bill… “Don’t kids eat free?” The dumb broad still didn’t get it! “Yes, they do, but per paying adult, and only while dining in”, my manager managed to say politely. The woman paid (No tip. Surprise, surprise) and took it out on her poor, already embarrassed kids.
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I see two of my children in the industry and it is hard to hear the bad things that happen, but they do learn from it. I have learned to tip no matter how bad the service. People are trying to make a living and may be having a bad day. Just remember that you have bad days also and when someone mistreats you on your bad day, well It just makes it worse. So tip with a smile and give the person a good thing to say about her/his customer. Also tip good at happy hour, tip by what the cost would have been not the happy hour price. As servers work harder at happy hour due to the crowd. I would not want the job, but someone has to do it.
ReplyDeleteFrom mom with 2 kids as servers/waiters
hey sandra,
ReplyDeletei read this post and have to say part of me was appalled, but the other part of me wasn't surprised. there are just people out there that do weird, oblivious shit like this on an everyday basis. anyway, i'm interested in what you have to say, and look forward to reading more!
At first I felt sorry for someone in the position of not being able to feed her children and having to resort to sending her kids into a restaurant alone. After reading your description of your interaction with the woman, I am stunned at her gall. Good luck in the weeds and know that many people appreciate the service you provide and tip well for it.
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