I’m 17 years old and in Steak 'n Shake, just before midnight. I look over at the long table that’s just been left by a large group of sophomores. The aftermath of their outing is a wreck, and I feel a pang of sympathy as I think of how little they probably tipped.
I’m 18 years old and behind an adult woman in line. She’s being difficult, which is inevitable at times. She’s also being rude, which is the easiest fix of all time. She’s talking to the girl working like her minimum wage job makes her responsible for the franchise. I get restless, but I don’t know what to do. So I stand there, wait my turn and smile a lot. I try to seem incredibly satisfied with my customer service when it’s my turn.
I’m 19 and receive exceptional customer service and have every intention of filling out the online survey to make it known — and get a free entree with my next purchase — until the receipt is lost in the shuffle of my purse and fades to a dot in my hectic life.
Service people are people. Even on the clock, they’re human beings. They deserve respect, even while they’re earning minimum wage — especially while they’re earning minimum wage.
When you’re rude to a service person, you’re being rude to someone who cannot fight back. You’re being rude to someone who cannot defend themself, who has to keep their mouth shut and a smile on their face in the hopes of receiving $7.25 an hour, a low wage for a high price.
Tone is important. Tips are important. Taking responsibility is important.
Sometimes it’s not what you say, but how you say it. Keeping a smile on your face for the singular time you pay is a lot easier than it is for the waiter who has to keep their smile on all night. Service jobs require immense emotional labor in exchange for little capital.
Tipping is not optional. If you cannot afford to tip decently, you cannot afford to eat out. Pay it forward. A good tip can turn a bad night around.
Don’t leave your table looking like a war zone. Don’t leave food on the booth. Don’t hide items on the wrong side of the store because you’re too lazy to walk them back to where they belong. Be responsible for yourself.
You will see people ruin other people’s days. It’s a fact of life. Try to turn it around. Compliment service people. Ask them how they’re doing. Leave a generous tip. Report good service on online surveys or to the manager. Don’t be purposelessly difficult. Split the check via Venmo if you can. Organize the dishes and trash at your table before you go. Say thank you.
Take care of your mess, tip well and converse with any service person with the same conscientiousness you’d have visiting a friend at work. If you wouldn’t be conscientious, reevaluate.
I’m nearly 20 years old, and I stack the plates at the table before I stand up to leave. I tip well, and I smile and thank my waiter. I tell them I hope they have a good night. I cannot save them from the chaos of food service, of every angry adult, of every dropped plate and lowball tip. But I have made an effort, and that is something.
