Honorable Mention
A lady at one of my two-seater tables whispered to me that the boy at the next table had hidden my tip - from the previous patrons - under his menu. I figured that the tip would remain on the table until I collected the menus, so I didn't want to rudely ask about it. I stepped to the opposite end of the boy's table to take the order. The lady spoke to me again - across that family's table - to tell me to look under the boy's menu. I said lightly, "Oh, I believe I didn't pick up my tip before and that lady saw it under the menu." The boy finally lifted his menu -- and nothing was there. I tried to go back to taking the order, because it was getting very awkward there! The nice lady said, "He's got your tip in his hand under the table." At first the boy tried to deny it, but at the lady's insistence, he came clean. I couldn't thank that lady enough!
I was living away from home for the first time, and I stopped for a few groceries at a store near my apartment. I selected my few items and headed for the checkout. When it came my time to pay, the cashier greeted me with a friendly and familiar, "Hey, girl." I was truly touched; I'd only been there maybe twice. Kindness from a stranger can really make a lonely student's day.
At the grocery store where my mother worked, a woman on a cell phone was approaching the check-out. This happens dozens of times during any given shift, but this case stands out because she said to the person on the phone that she had to hang up and give her attention to "these two ladies," the cashier and the bagger.
As I was getting settled on yet another flight during several weeks of business travel, one flight attendant gave a twist to his latest announcement: "All passengers are now on board, and there are some open seats available. So, if you'd like to spread out and be more comfortable, or if you'd just like to sit next to someone more attractive, feel free to change seats." Although relatively new to business travel, I'd done it enough to know that much of it is routine, bordering on monotonous, and so I really appreciated the flight attendant's effort to bring in a bit of levity.
Open Letter to a Waitress
I did not know until I married my wife that most waitresses only receive about $2.00 per hour. In addition to that they have to pay 8% of all food sales in taxes even if they do not receive a tip. That means if a party of six orders a meal costing $100.00 and they do not leave a tip, the waitress serving them must still pay $8.00 in taxes.
I have known and met many waitresses throughout the years. Most are good at what they do, and then there are some who are very bad.
There is this one waitress who outshines any that I have ever met. Her job is very important to her. But more important to her is the fact that her customers always come first.
There have been times when I have actually seen her almost in a gallop running down the aisles to get her customers their food while it is still hot. I have seen her argue with the cooks if the plate and food do not look presentable. Many of her customers are amazed when she can remember their names and what they want to drink without them having to tell her.
I have sat in the restaurant and watched her as she walked behind the waitress station, crouched down, and rubbed her calves because they hurt her so badly.
I have seen her hold her composure and smile when some patrons have treated her with undeserved disrespect. I have seen her smile as she cleaned up the table after receiving only a dollar tip after having served a table of eight a six course meal. I have seen her down on her hands and knees cleaning up food that people have allowed their children to throw beneath the table. I have seen her almost cry when one drunken male customer said, "What can I get from you if I give you a five dollar tip?"
Yesterday I went to the trophy shop and I purchased a large plaque which I had engraved: "A special thanks for your many years of excellent service and for the pride that you have taken in your work as a waitress. It is much appreciated. JOHN Q. PUBLIC"
I took the plaque home to be given to the waitress later that evening. About 10:00 p.m. my wife came home from work. She had had a very long day and she was almost in tears because her hips, legs and feet were hurting her so badly. I ran her a warm bath and I rubbed her feet as she lay in the tub almost crying. After she had dried and dressed for bed, with much pride I handed her the plaque which I had made for her earlier that day.
My wife is without a doubt the most wonderful, kind, considerate and thoughtful waitress that I have ever known.
Roger Dean Kiser
www.rogerdeankiser.com
It was good. Now what?
If you have a particularly good "service" experience, why not be as vocal about it as you would if it was bad? Let the manager know, fill out the store's "How'd we do?" card, and/or be sure to tell your friends.
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