Were You Born a Bitch?

So friday was one of the more interesting shifts I've worked in a while.  I'm used to friday nights being kind of slow, but of course things never end up like they're supposed to.  It was actually very busy, and there was only 4 servers to try and handle the rush that never seemed to end.  However, that wasn't what made me angry that night, but rather the behavior of one of our dishwashers.  

So I was busy, handling 4 tables while trying to also take care of the cash register ((lucky us, no host to seat the door and ring up customers)).  I went to a table with 3 adults and a kid to take their order, and the poor kid was hacking up a storm.  His mom started to take him to the bathroom after telling me her order when the poor kid threw up all over the booth.  Of course it got all over him, and he starts crying just sitting in this puddle of pea-soup green barf.  I don't handle throw up at all.  Blood, guts, shit, piss, I can do anything but barf!  Since we're hella busy, I ask one of the dishwashers to come clean up my table for me so I can take care of the rest of my tables.  But damned if she doesn't look me right in the eye and tell me, "Its not my job  to clean it up.  Thats your  job." 

I was so irritated, since I know perfectly well what a dishwasher's responsibilities are, but I didn't have time to argue with her or get the manager involved with this little spat when I had tables that needed attention.  So lucky me, I went and cleaned up the puke, trying my hardest not to hurl right there on the booth.  I also had one of the other girls run my food, since how would that look, a server cleaning up puke and two minutes later bringing out food?  I triple washed and sanitized my hands, but all the time I wanted to punch that stupid girl in the head.  She's always been really rude, but her attitude simply amused me, since she has the lowest job in the whole restaurant.  But that just straight pissed me off, and I made sure I got her in trouble for refusing to do her job.  Thats not something I do every time someone pisses me off, but I know there are a lot of other hard-working people who would like to have her job, and would do it right.  And thats not the only thing she refuses to do.  When its busy and we need ice, its her fucking job to go get it! A dishwasher's official job title is 'Server's Assistant,' so if a server needs assistance, they damn well better do it.  Now if its not busy and we're just being lazy, of course they aren't obligated to fetch this or scrub that for us, but some of the dishwashers there are hella ignorant and it just pisses me off.  

Really bitch? Ignore me? You'll regret it when you don't have a job cause you refuse to do your fucking job.  Thats just the way of the world, you gotta pony up and do stuff you don't want to do.  No one is going to hold your hand, so guess you're SOL!

There is a happy ending to the story though, the table felt so bad they left me a $20 tip, which just rocks.  I've always said money is my emotional bandaid at work, and it makes a lot of things bearable for me.  Like cleaning up nasty kid puke.

Proper Restaurant Etiquette- Tipping

Okay, so I work as a server at one of the many Dennys that exist, and I've eventually come to realize that people think servers make a lot of money because our main source of income is tips.  However, a lot of people are under the illusion that we make tons of money.  Guess what? Not necessarily true.  My hourly wage ((and pretty much any other server's)) is a whole fucking $2.13 an hour.  Not a lot, and when people are totally stingy when tipping, I pretty much make jack shit.  And so, this brings me to todays topic, tipping.

A couple days ago my Dad asked me about tipping, and I've been thinking about it a lot, especially at work.  I don't think people are informed enough about tipping, even older people aren't up to date with what's really expected on the customer end of the spectrum. 

Now, my Dad had really terrible service in this restaurant he went to, and he asked about what's the right way to go about saying 'my experience sucked' without being a total douche about it.  I told him, but I also told him how to tip when your service was good, and it was a good thing I did, since he was surprised at both answers.  For the most part, servers try to do a good job, since people usually don't tip when they get shitty service. 

So, if you're at a restaurant and you like how you were taken care of, let 'em know.  I've often said money makes everything okay ((at least at work)), so if you enjoy being difficult, at least tip well.  A good tip is 15-20%, anything more is just awesome and will be well appreciated.  To me, 20% says I did everything perfect and they liked me, or at least how I served them.  I know 10%  used to be the norm for tipping, but cost of living has gone up ((hasn't everything? really.)) so I think it stands to reason that tipping would go up to.  But I guess lots of people are resistant to this idea... But anyways, if you get shitty service and you want to say so, a dollar on the table says 'dude I'm not happy, you sucked' without being totally cruel.  

However, there are those times when cruel and unusual methods are needed to really get the message across.  Be sure to use these sparingly, since it can also backfire and we'll remember your face so the next time you come in you'll get shitty service no matter what!  So, some of the real asshole-ish ways of leaving a tip i've seen:  one of the ones I hate tons is a handful of change in a glass of water.  So demeaning, cause if you want the change, you gotta go fishing for it.  I also saw a guy freeze a glass upside down on a table, with some change in the glass as well.  That was pretty cool, and since it didn't happen to me I thought it was kind of funny XD Hiding the tip when its like a buck or less also is really irritating, but just a penny on the table is the ultimate insult.  I haven't gotten one of those, thank god, but thats just so insulting and demeaning you can't interpret it any other way.

Now I know that people are going through hard times and not everyone has as much money as they usually do, and can't tip as well, but my thought is this: If you don't have the money to leave a good tip, don't go to a restaurant where you need to tip!! Nothing is more irritating then doing a good job and getting a 'sorry, this is all we've got, but you did great'.  Dude, money is my emotional bandaid at work.  I'll put up with A LOT of shit if it means a good tip. However, I refuse to accept that pathetic excuse.  If you don't want to tip, or can't, go somewhere that doesn't require you to tip.  Like McDonalds. Or Burger King.  If you're thinking good quality, Arby's is my personal favorite.  Tips stand for To Insure Proper Service.  Betcha didn't know that, but now you do.  But bottom line,  you want good service, you should expect to pay for it.

Get to Know Me

Okay, so I normally just keep these on my myspace bulletins, but I figure for my first blog its acceptable :P  I usually like doing them just cause the questions are so random, and I'll fill in equally random answers.  

What if you get the person you like?
I would never let anyone take them from me!

What are you listening to currently?
My professor talking XD

Are you keeping a big secret right now?
More like a couple, but thats nothing new, I'm pretty close mouthed about important things!

Do you prefer to take showers at night or in the morning?
I'm definately a night owl, mornings are my enemy *hisses at the light*

Do you always answer your phone?
If its a number I recognize, then usually. Unless I'm feeling antisocial. XD

What did you do for Halloween?
I was sick, how exciting. bleh.

How did your day go yesterday?
Okay, other than irritation at a certain someone who didn't call me back. Shitty.

Who was the last person you saw?
Mmm, I'm sitting in a room of people, so I guess the last person I looked at would be my cousin :3

Does the future scare you?
Always, so I try very hard not to think on it. The best method is denial ^^

When was the last time you had Starbucks?
Oh, over the summer. I need coffee buddies to be motivated to drive over there.

Do you sleep on your stomach?
No! I'm a side sleeper fo sho XD

Are you tickleish?
Hell yeah, but I'll tolerate it from people I like ;)

Do you crack your knuckles?
Yes *sighs*

What is your favorite color(s)?
Green, Black, Red. But first Green!!

Ever been on a blind date?
Yes, god that was awkward!! Never again.

Are you named after anyone?
I don't think so.

What is on your bed right now?
blankets, lots of blankets, a huge drawing board, my backpack, headphones, books, paintbrushes, my wallet, cellphone, my coat, my jacket.... lots of shit!!

Where were you last night at midnight?
in bed *leh gasp!*

Did you speak to your mother today?
yeah, we pretty much talk everyday.

Where is your sister right now?
upstairs somewhere.

Have you lost friends in the past year?
Yes, and it always hurts.

Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
yes, definately. Without them we are bitter people... then again, relationships gone awry make me bitter too...

Who's the last person that made you smile?
Erica

Where is your phone?
On the bed

When was the last time you went to the mall?
Mmm, the other week :D

When was the last time you cried?
Last week. God I'm turning into a sap!

What was the last thing you drank?
Doctah Pepah ^^

Do you have any saved texts?
Yes, some from over a year ago!!

What side of a heart do you draw first?
Left side :P

Who was the last person you took a picture with?
Mmm, either Erica or Kelli, not sure o.O

Last person you saw other than your family?
Erica ((this sounds stalkerish now!!))

How late did you stay up last night and why?
12, I was trying to be good and go to bed early for school... see how well that worked out ^^;

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
Mostly. I've had too many coincidences to say yes, but I'm still doubtful.

What did you do today?
Went to school, visited work, slept, rode the bus. Exciting stuff.

What are you doing tomorrow?
School, then work. Yay.

Have you ever made someone laugh when they were crying?
Yeah, I hate crying people!!

What is the last thing you did before you went to sleep last night?
Surfed on teh nets.

Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Not as nervous as dentist visits!! My body is tougher than my oh so tender mouth!!

What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
MILK!!

Have you ever intentionally made someone jealous?
Ha ha yeah, I do that alot actually XD I'm such a little shit :P

What woke you up this morning?
Stupid alarm clock ><

What's the one thing you're looking forward to the most?
VEGAS!! And friday :)

Do you already have your kids names picked out?
Yeah, but I really don't want to have any kids, so its kind of defeats the purpose XD

What are you doing this moment?
this quiz instead of doing homework :P

Do you believe in love at first sight?
I guesss I believe in attracted at first sight, but I can't say love is BAM! like that. I believe in like at first sight, and for sure lust at first sight lol

Do you make wishes at 11:11?
um, no. Can you do that?

Have you done anything embarrassing lately?
Oh yeah. I'm constantly making an ass of my self XD

How is your hair right now?
Pretty sexy :P Just the right amount of smexy mess ^^

What are you doing later?
probably homework!

Do you enjoy summer?
Yes, I love being tan!! And being practically naked outside ;)

Can you imagine yourself getting married?
Vaguely. It'd have to be to a person just as random and crazy as me, I get bored with stable persons!!

Do you watch the news?
very rarely. It tends to make me depressed.

Will you talk to the person you like tonight?
Yup. :D


Do you have a reason to smile right now?
yeah... *grins at memories*