Why do people become such jerks in restaurants?

Question

I'm a host at a Garfield's restaurant and i've noticed that some people become just straight up mean when they come in. not to mention picky. i just don't get it.

Answer 1

For me my attitude reflects the atmosphere in the restaurant. Normally I try and treat the servers with respect and politeness because I understand its a difficult job. Trying to get everyone's food perfect is no easy task. Plus having to deal with any mistakes the cook might make doesn't help the situation! But if the server is smiling, normally I smile in return. I only get snippy when servers try to overcharge me for something.

Answer 2

I think the people who are rude to waiters/waitresses never had to be one.  People who have waited on others know what it's like.

You know, there's even a little "wisdom" told to young ladies:  A guy who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter/tress is NOT a good person.

We all have to remember to treat each other as human beings, and not as our job titles.

Answer 3

oh i feel the pain...i waited tables when i was in high school/college....people can be down right ignorant....i cant really say y ppl are so cruel....when i go out i always try to be kinder to the workers only cause i know what its like

Answer 4

I'm a waitress, and people want to feel superior, so they pick on the waitress. Any other time they are inferior, so they feel they can do it this way. If we were to fight with the customer we would be wrong, so therefore, that's why these chose us!!

Answer 5

People go out to eat to get what they want.  You don't pay $9.00 for a hamburger or $20 for a steak just for the food.  You expect to get your food the way you want it while being provided good service.  Having the server check to see how things are, fill your drink for you, make sure it is hot and served the way the CUSTOMER wants it is part of that deal.  I feel for the waiters and waitreses that get screwed when it comes to tip time (I personally normally tip well, aside from actual bad service) but it is that service that it is viewed that we pay for.

Answer 6

I believe some people just feel like they need to be waited on hand and foot and when they don't get exactly what they want, they turn into complete jerks so they can get stuff for free. I have waited on some people that will keep coming into our restaurant and complain about something different EVERY time they come in. And it's always something different they find to pick at. And every time they visit, they get something for free. I guess it just makes those people feel better to treat other people like c**p. And we are supposed to just smile and take it which just makes the situation worse. But I have become the master at "killing them with kindness" and I usually end up making them feel bad for treating me like such c**p.

Answer 7

I feel for you. People generally seem to think that the waitress or waiters are working for them, and they are in a sense. I mean without the customers wouldn't the waiters be out of a job? That said, just because a person is paying for the dinner, it doesn't give them a right to treat the staff at the restaurant poorly. I go out to eat a few times a week and sometimes I do get very bad service and then I don't tip. But I am never rude.

Answer 8

My mom was a waitress and she has tons of stories.

I know of someone who will routinely have a waiter take back a meal if it is "too cold."

I guess the conduct of people in restaurants is a general gauge of the way Americans tend to act.

In Canada I went to a museum and it has a log book, and there were signatures from people from all over the world with positive sentiments towards the museum, but all of the American signatures were laced with profanity and vulgar. I just slapped my forehead and left without signing it.

Answer 9

I think because you know how the waiters are basically working for them? Im thinking they take advantage of that because they're the ones who give the tips. If the waiter/ess doesn't comply to their each and every demand they can take care of them by reporting them to their boss

Answer 10

It is the same for people all over, there are nasty people and those who are decent. Having said that, if I received bad service, where ever that was, I would complain in the correct manner and to the right authority.

Answer 11

For some reason people lose their minds when they are 1) paying to eat 2)hungry and at restaurants... Can you imagine how they treat the cook at home??

I think people think they are paying to be coddled and worshiped as well as fed... these same people I have found in my 12+ years of waiting tables part time is this:

these people who make such a big stink when they go out to dinner...are embarrassingly bad tippers.. the biggest complainers and miserable people who let other people handle their food... ??? ARE THEY crazy???!!