They say you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat restaurant servers, which is something company CEOs live by. In the last decade and a half, they have developed “The Waiter Rule.” In a nutshell, it’s gauging a person through their behavior toward people in the service industry.
Businessman and engineer William Swanson first coined the term in his booklet of leadership observations, “The Unwritten Rules of Management.” Among his 33 rules is one that continues to stand: “A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, or to others, is not a nice person.”
#5 First 1-Star Review After 2 Years And 200+ Ratings. This Hurts. Is My Response Acceptable?
#6 $10 Would Have Been Preferred
Over the years, many people have incorporated The Waiter Rule into their lives. For some, it helps them decide whether a potential romantic partner is worth pursuing. Brazilian model Adriana Lima, for one, is a firm believer.
We mentioned Anthony Bourdain in our intro, and he is known as a man who had a way with words. He once said, “If you’re a cheap tipper or rude to your server, you are dead to me. You are lower than whale feces.”
#7 A Regular Customer Today Exclaimed Loudly How Much Food I Was Eating "Oh My God! That's So Much Food"
She comes in every day to my workplace and always makes unnecessary comments as loudly as she can. She’s incredibly judgmental. It’s infuriating for me because not only have I struggled with ED when I was younger, I have a potential IBD. Because of the IBD, I don’t eat that often. And very rarely a full meal. I hardly have an appetite. Ever.
I’ve been suffering from depression for the past few days, and I was doing well this morning until she said, “Oh my god! How can you eat all that?! I could never eat all of that!” I turned red and mumbled something along the lines of “I only eat once a day.” She said, “But still!” I eventually ended up moving away from her. I almost cried.
On the bright side, I did eat all of it, and it was tasty.
#8 An Intentionally Bad Write-Up From A Large Following Influencer Because Of Our Refusal To Accept Their Collaboration Is Unprofessional, And A Such Hostile Manner Can Simply Ruin Businesses
Speaking of bad tippers, a recent study revealed that Gen Z people are at the top of the list among American diners. The statistics show that only 35% of young adults aged 18-26 tip their servers.
In 2018, millennials had a reputation for being terrible tippers. Recent numbers, however, have shown improvement, with 50% of people aged 27-42 showing generosity in their gratuities.
#10 A Restaurant Review I Stumbled On. The Customer Is So Many Kinds Of Wrong
#12 A Coworker Was In An Accident A While Ago. Apparently It Disgusts Customers
Many would attest to the accuracy of The Waiter Rule, but if we want an actual statistic, we can look at the case of disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. CNN published a report in 2017, around when Weinstein and the Me Too movement were the subject of news headlines.
In the article, a former server from New York’s Tribeca Grill alleged that Weinstein would take lemons from his drink and hurl them at waitstaff if they served him the wrong beverage.
“His sense of entitlement was like none other, the entire staff would cringe when he would come in,” another former employee claimed.
#13 At First, I Thought This Guy With Two Birds At McDonald’s Was Really Cool. But Then, One Of The Birds Pooped On The Counter And Floor And He Did Absolutely Nothing To Clean It Up
If you work in the food service industry, keeping calm and poised should be the number one priority when dealing with a rude customer. According to the Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts, it makes you appear authoritative without seeming intimidating.
If you made an honest mistake, apologizing and offering a solution may be necessary. Saying the customer’s name makes them feel heard and cared for, and the solution may appease them. But overall, it wouldn’t be wise to leave the situation unattended.
#18 Some People Have Tempers. Thankfully, They Gave Us A Warning By Throwing Rocks At The Front Door First. By The Time The Rock Came Through The Window, We Were Already Away
Now, let’s hear from you, readers. What is your opinion on people who mistreat waitstaff and act unbecomingly in restaurants? Do you agree with the Waiter Rule? Comment below!
