scam!

I don't know what it is lately, but I am just NOT having good luck with people! First my tips get stolen, now this...

Two guys came in and both ordered waters. I couldn't decide if they were gay or flirting, but either way, they were acting a little strange. When they finished their appetizer and meal they asked to see the dessert menu. We don't really have a "dessert" menu, we just offer cheesecake. I told them the different flavors we offered, and they said they'd think about it...a little strange. When they caught my attention again, they said they'd just share a slice. I ordered it and noticed one guy had gone to the bathroom. A few minutes later, the other guy got the attention of ANOTHER server and told her that they were "just going to the bathroom. Let our server know, because we don't want her to think we left." So, I delivered the cheesecake and thought nothing of it...until 15 minutes later when they STILL weren't back!

Totally planned. Looking back, everything seemed to fall into place. One guy got there before the other, so they arrived separately. They were super nice, even a little flirty. They told me they would "think about" the dessert and told a different server that they were going to the bathroom. AND, they left separately.

I just trust people way too easily--this is a problem I have in life too. I simply overestimate people's character, and unfortunately, I've learned it can end up hurting me in the long run.

Anyway, I guess I've learned my lesson. I REALLY need to keep tabs on my tables--even the sober ones!

-MJ

here comes the...ketchup?

I had never heard the term "marrying ketchup" until I started my work as a waitress. Little did I know, it's actually a universal term! This task is required for every server after every shift. If you've got two half full bottles of ketchup in your section, combine them into one aka marry them.

There is actually a tool called a "ketchup coupler." I refused to believe that it worked until, well, I tried it!

I should have gotten a "before" picture, but I didn't think of it in time. All I can tell you is that the ketchup bottle on top was a little less than half full. The ketchup was being stubborn, and I was tired of trying to shake it out--that's when I decided to give the ketchup coupler a try. And voila! My job made easy!

-MJ

babysitter? i think not.

Two things come to mind when I see a huge family walk in with a bunch of little kids:

1. Yes! They're not going to be here forever drinking because the kids gotta go to bed soon.

2. Get out the mop and the broom, it's going to be a big mess when they leave.

Well, last night wasn't any different. I like when families come in because they're usually friendly and relaxed and there's no hassle of separating checks at the end of the meal. But come on! The mess was RIDICULOUS last night. They had a little baby that ate a grilled cheese--actually, she didn't really eat it. I think she was intentionally throwing it on the ground. Needless to say, little pieces of grilled cheese everywhere. YUCK. And the older children thought it was funny to shred their napkins and get ranch dressing all over the table.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, be a little more aware when you're out to eat with children. I'm a messy eater too, and it's part of my job to wipe down tables after you leave. But if you've got a little one, maybe make sure he/she is actually eating the food. Just sayin'...

-MJ

noodles in a salad?

I just discovered my new favorite salad! the ID is kind of known for their salads, and I'm not a huge salad person but they are SO good here!

This salad is called the Mediterranean. It has romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, feta cheese, pine nuts, angel hair pasta and grilled chicken tossed with italian dressing. SO good. This picture doesn't really do it justice because I had already eaten half of it!

Come in and try it!!

-MJ

"hey guys..."

In my Advanced Media class my professor mentioned that calling a group of women or even a group of men with only one woman "guys" can be very offensive. I told her that I almost always greet my tables with, "Hey guys." She told me that if I ever did that to her she'd probably pull me aside and tell me it was very offensive AND not tip very well.

I've never thought about that before, but I think I'll try an experiment. Maybe for half a night, I'll greet every table with "Hey guys" and later on, I'll be more "politically correct" and see how my tip amount differs.

But I'm curious...would that offend you or any of your friends?

-MJ

rolling silverware

Rolling silverware is one of the most tedious parts of my job, and it's something that no one can skip out on. It absolutely has to be done after every single shift, day or night. The good news is that the closing server is not required to roll because there are so many other duties for the closer to do.

That first picture is just a small portion of what we have to do each night. On a busy Friday night, we could have up to 3 or 4 FULL baskets. We usually roll toward the end of the night, but sometimes if it's super busy, we have to roll so that our current tables have enough silverware! Sometimes I'll have tables ask for silverware when they're eating nachos or chicken fingers or even a sandwich. Not only do I think that's weird, but then it's more silverware to roll at the end of the night!

Until next time,

MJ

bartenders vs. servers

There is a huge difference between bartenders and servers not only at the Irish Democrat, but other places too.

Let me explain...

Servers:

-Paid less hourly (about $4.35)

-Makes more in tips

-Does not make any drinks

-Delivers all food and drinks to tables

-Clears food from tables

-Washes/resets tables

-Rolls silverware

-Extra duties include: wiping down menus, bleaching coffee pots, wiping down high chairs and booster seats (these are set duties assigned according to your shift aka "side work")

Bartenders:

-Paid more hourly (at least minimum wage--raises are possible)

-Makes less in tips than servers (since they sell less food, it's not likely they'll exceed what a server makes on a typical shift)

-Receives 15% of each server's drink sales, regardless of how much they make in tips

-Stocks entire bar with alcohol and ice as needed

-Takes all ToGo orders

-Hand wash ALL glasses (frosty mugs, shot glasses, pint glasses, etc.)

-Refills and makes ALL drinks for servers and customers at the bar

-Splits tips among other bartenders (on weekend nights there are 3 bartenders and on weekdays and nights there are 2. On Sundays there is only 1 bartender because it is less busy)

I think it's important to know the difference because some diners simply don't understand everything that needs to be done. I remember being out to eat with my mom once, and she was complaining that the bartender was ignoring us. I had to explain to her that they probably had a lot more going on than it seemed--making drinks for servers, washing dishes, etc.

A very popular drink at the Irish Democrat is the Irish Car Bomb. It comes with a shot and a half pint of Guinness (an Irish beer). You actually drop the shot glass into the beer and drink the entire thing! Drink it fast or it will start to curdle like old milk!!

-MJ