13 Things your waiter won't tell you

[Iceaxe]

1. Avoid eating out on holidays and Saturday nights. The sheer volume of customers guarantees that most kitchens will be pushed beyond their ability to produce a high-quality dish.

2. There are almost never any sick days in the restaurant business. A busboy with a kid to support isn't going to stay home and miss out on $100 because he's got strep throat. And these are the people handling your food.

3. When customers' dissatisfaction devolves into personal attacks, adulterating food or drink is a convenient way for servers to exact covert vengeance. Waiters can and do spit in people's food.

4. Never say "I'm friends with the owner." Restaurant owners don't have friends. This marks you as a clueless poseur the moment you walk in the door.

5. Treat others as you want to be treated. (Yes, people need to be reminded of this.)

6. Don't snap your fingers to get our attention. Remember, we have shears that cut through bone in the kitchen.

7. Don't order meals that aren't on the menu. You're forcing the chef to cook something he doesn't make on a regular basis. If he makes the same entr

[DiscGo]

I read this article the other day. I have worked in several restaurants and I think everything said here is true.

[skianddive]

I used to be a waiter in Southern Florida for 3 years while I was in college, and I would add a couple more:

14. The 5-second rule also applies in the kitchen when food is dropped on the floor (although we always washed it off and/or reheated it).

15. Please leave your kids at home until they are old enough to behave and stay seated. See #3 if you do bring the brats, especially if they crush their Saltines and throw them all over the table and floor.

[Mooseman70]

Read this a couple weeks ago in Reader's Digest. Good info.