To the guests of restaurants...

There's just this little thing I need to get off my chest.

Yesterday a family left me a $0.07 tip. 

This happens usually at least once while working one of my shifts.

It sucks every time, but it is out of my control.

I typically throw a little fit for a minute and then move on reminding myself there are other decent people in this world.

Here's the thing with yesterday though.

I watched this family place at least give $100 bills on the table.

So it wasn't the fact they couldn't afford a tip that was the problem.

The problem they had with me was the silverware.

It was dirty and I had not noticed since I didn't set the table and had a full section.

The mother yelled at me for the silverware being dirty and the complained that it was not rolled in napkins.

These problems she had were out of my control.

I did not set the table and I am not in control of deciding how we display silverware on the tables. So her excuse for leaving me $0.07 was because the silverware was dirty.

For some reason her tip will hit me this time.

To me, it seemed as if she told that my service was only worth $0.07.

And I took it as me not being worthy of even a dollar which wouldn't even be close to a 10% tip. While I know I shouldn't have taken it so hard, the point in sharing that with you is because that's how most servers feel when this happens to them.

She didn't have enough respect to even tell me why she thought I was only worth of a $0.07 tip.

Some servers are in the restaurant industry to make the money that can come with the job.

But some servers, like me, are trying to make means meet or work towards a goal.

I didn't join this industry willingly. I joined it because it meets an always changing school schedule and allows me to live in an expensive city and make my ends meet most months.

And I especially did not join this job for you to tell me what I am worth, but that doesn't stop you from telling me. You think you have a right to define what I am worth, what I am qualified at, and what I deserve. Do you realize you hold in your hands the ability for me to pay my rent, to pay for food, and gas to work?

I know we all work with people who make our jobs miserable at times, who make us want to get ugly in their faces and tell them how we truly feel, and who make us feel like screaming at the top of our lungs. I write this only to remind you the holiday's are coming up. This season is the busiest for the restaurant industry. Sometimes it brings in the most joyous and grateful people around and sometimes it brings in the most ungrateful and rude people around.

If you're going out to eat this holiday season, try to keep in mind that the people serving you are human just like you. They make mistakes, they mess up, and they are trying to survive like you. Also keep in mind, most servers want to ensure you have a quality visit. We do not show up to work with plans to ruin your visit and your meal experience with family. If anything, we just want you to be thankful for us. 

So be joyous, be grateful, and be thankful.

If you cannot leave a tip then at least do the above because all people deserve that.

Sincerely,

The girl just wanting to make your holiday as bright and merry as possible

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