You’ve probably seen them. Maybe you’ve even been one without realizing it.
This might seem harmless, especially if you’re enjoying good company. But for servers, especially during a busy shift, it’s a nightmare. Every table is part of their income. When one is tied up for too long, it costs them — literally.
So next time you find yourself lingering, ask: “Is this place still busy? Is my server waiting for this table to turn over?” Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is enjoy your meal, leave a generous tip, and free up the space.
2. The Indecisive Orderers: Menu Anxiety in Action
It starts with, “I’ll have the… no, wait. What do you recommend?”
This seems innocent — even charming at first. But for a server trying to manage five tables and a million moving parts, it can become a time-consuming puzzle.
Some guests change their minds again and again, even after the food arrives. One friend of mine had a table send their food back five times. By the end, he didn’t know if he was serving dinner or playing some high-stakes game of culinary musical chairs.
It’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to take your time. But when in doubt — trust your first instinct, and give your server one less surprise to juggle.
3. The Phantom Tippers: Generous in Words, Not in Wallet
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