Things Never to Say to Anyone in the Restaurant Business

Thanksgiving is about food, family, and fun (well, mostly!). But if you’ve ever worked a shift in a restaurant, you know it’s also about patience, survival instincts, and resisting the urge to ban customers from Yelp. This week’s story comes from a restaurant veteran who’s heard it all — and she’s giving us her top-tier list of things you should absolutely never say to restaurant staff.

Things Never to Say to Anyone in the Restaurant Business

I would love to share some things to never say to anyone in the restaurant business. I’ve (35F) been in the restaurant industry for over 10 years ranging anywhere from hostessing to waitressing to management. Here are some of my top favorite things on what NOT to say to staff:

“I am an elite Yelper. I wrote your first review that made people want to come here.”

Pointing to the Help Wanted sign: “What do you need help with? More customers?”

“This meal better be good, otherwise, I’ll write a negative review about you being closed on Sundays.”

“It’s too cold outside, but I don’t want to sit inside.”

“Your 2-ply toilet paper is too fluffy.”

“This soup is disgusting. Get me a different side.” (One minute after sampling it, saying it’s delicious, and ordering it).

We also had a guy (maybe early 20s??) who brought his mom to an interview with us. We asked if she wouldn’t mind sitting elsewhere, and she refused. So we started the interview with the guy, and his mom answered Every. Single. Question. on his behalf. We ended up stopping the interview after about three questions and shooed them out the door. Hard pass.