This seems innocent — even charming at first. But for a server trying to manage five tables and a million moving parts, it can become a time-consuming puzzle.
Some guests change their minds again and again, even after the food arrives. One friend of mine had a table send their food back five times. By the end, he didn’t know if he was serving dinner or playing some high-stakes game of culinary musical chairs.
It’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to take your time. But when in doubt — trust your first instinct, and give your server one less surprise to juggle.
3. The Phantom Tippers: Generous in Words, Not in Wallet
This is one that hits hard.
You bring them refills without being asked. You remember their allergy. You smile even when they don’t. And at the end?
They vanish — or leave a couple of crumpled bills that barely cover gas money.
In America, servers depend on tips to make a living. It’s not just extra — it’s essential.
If you’ve had good service, the best way to say thank you is with a meaningful tip. Even just a few dollars more can make the difference between someone feeling appreciated or completely defeated.
4. The Split-the-Bill Surprise Squad
You’ve just wrapped up a table of seven. Everyone’s eaten, drank, maybe even shared dessert. And then it begins:
“Can you split this seven ways?”
“Oh, I only had water, but she had two glasses of wine.”
“Wait, I think I paid for Sarah’s appetizer, but maybe not?”
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