The 20 Most Annoying Things Servers Do at Restaurants

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Recently, we played devil’s advocate by suggesting that tipping should be abolished in the United States. But before the waiters across the band together to egg our offices, remember that we also told everyone to tip, at minimum, 20% in a cocktail bar. Point being, we have no vendetta against all the ace servers who make it a joy to eat at restaurants and drink at bars, and we will continue to tip heartily while that is still the accepted system.

What we do have a problem with, though, is being at the mercy of a waiter who undercuts everything great about going out for a meal by being a total pain in the ass. Here, we share our biggest pet peeves when dealing with restaurant staff. And for all those servers who think we’re out of line, fear not—tomorrow we will have a rebuttal from a seasoned waitress who will tell us exactly why we suck so badly at being guests.

With that, let the ranting begin. Here are the 20 most annoying things servers do at restaurants.

Introduce themselves by name.

Touch you and think it's friendly.

Say everything that you inquire about on the menu is “really amazing."

Wait forever to take your drink order, bring menus, or offer water.

Ask you if you've dined there before and if you "know how the restaurant works."

Tell you to wait for "your waiter" when you ask for something.

Squat, take a knee, or sit down at your table.

Go straight for the upsell.

Make you feel like a criminal because you ordered just drinks, or just dinner, instead of seven courses and four bottles of wine.

Ask if you need change.

Take your plate away before you are finished.

Overshare about their day, their job, or their life beyond the restaurant.

Talk about specials without telling you the price.

Try to pass off their mistakes.

Go H.A.M. with the pepper and Parmesan.

Write a nice message on the receipt with hearts dotting the i’s and smiley faces all over the place.

Hit on your date.

Fold your napkin for you when you get up.

Ask if you'd like "another" Coke instead of "more" Coke.

Disappear.

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