July 28, 2010

Well these patrons are at it again!!! Just when I thought my night was going to be uneventful, and almost a good night as far as waiting tables goes, I get a table of seven. They were a mixed bag of people. Young, old, black and white. They seemed to be just fine until I went to take their order. Now mind you, I serve in an Italian restaurant. We get a lot of requests to change menu items or modify things, and it really isn't any problem to do. What we don't do is make things that aren't anything close to Italian food. For example, I was asked if we had deep friend shrimp! So sorry, all we do is scampi! Well, what is that they ask? After explaining, they order it. I guess they liked it because they didn't complain. The meal went smoothly enough even though one patron ordered a cup of plain hot water, and then complained that there was a blond hair in it. I assured her it wasn't mine especially since I'm brunette! At the end of the meal, I boxed up all the leftover food for them. I separated the check and gave the three couples their bills. One of the woman asked if I could just wrap her up some bread, herbs and olive oil to go. I told her I would but did she realize there was a charge for these items? She said, "really?" Well how about the bread on our table? I told her I would be happy to wrap up the leftover bread. She didn't want that, because it would be cold. She also didn't want to pay for more bread. So after they paid and I gave them back their credit cards, they sat for about 15 minutes longer and then called me back to the table and she asked for some bread, herbs and oil to go. I gave them to her and told her the next time she would be charged for them. She said she thought it was a courtesy that we did at the restaurant. I told her that it costs us money to give those items away. If she ordered food to go, we certainly would give her bread. They ate at least two full loaves during their meal. I mean, come on, do you think a restaurant is the same thing as the Red Cross? That we are in the business to give away food? Do you go to bars and expect free refills on beer? No! Why not take the salt and pepper grinders home with you too! Hey, they were on your table when you got there!

Then there are the people that come in and say, "we're really not hungry" so we are going to share a meal. But, you are going to bring that bread and herbs, right? Yes, it will be right out. In the meantime, they eat that loaf of bread, ask for more during the split salad they are sharing, and then ask for another loaf during the split meal they are sharing. Yeah, they weren't hungry. They just come out to fill up on all the free bread they can! Who would be hungry??

So just remember, it's o.k. to share a meal once in a while, just don't make pigs of yourselves on all the free bread!