It's important how we treat our waiters and waitresses who serve us at restaurants. How we treat them reflects back on ourselves. It goes back to the Golden Rule, "Do unto others and you would have them do unto you." Sadly enough, many servers see Christians as rude and pushy and terrible tippers. It's time that changed.
I have a friend who makes it a point to learn the name of his server every time he is waited on at a restaurant or any other place of business. He makes sure to use the person's name when speaking to them and carries on conversations with them and asks them questions about themselves. I really admire that about him, because it makes the servers feel like less of a servant and more like a friend. Some people treat waiters and waitresses like servants and are very impatient with them. I've seen people yell at their server when their meal wasn't prepared the way they wanted it. It makes me cringe every time. I wish I could remind those customers that their servers are people too and deserve to be treated with respect.
I treat my servers the way I would like to be treated if I were in their shoes. I learn their names and make small talk with them and am pleasant to them. If something is incorrect with my order, I don't shout and yell, but I politely seek to correct it, if it's not something I can live with. (meaning, if there's broccoli on my plate, a SERIOUS mistake has happened and I can't live with that...bleh....) I've found if you are polite and friendly to your servers, they'll be more likely to be polite and friendly to you. There's no point in being rude and angry, because it just makes you look bad. I also try to tip above the recommended 10%, especially if my server has really been attentive to my needs. Even if the server has had a rough night, I still try to tip well, because I know that no one is perfect. You don't always have great days. By not tipping or giving an extremely low tip, you aren't making the situation any better. Be gracious when you tip, because you don't know what may be going on in the life of the person serving you. You may be the only example of Christ that person encounters.
Almost every Wednesday my friends Kristen, Colleen, and myself make it a point to go eat at McAlister's Deli. It kinda happened on accident. We just started going to McAlister's more and more (the sweet tea was definitely a major factor) and ended up making it a weekly trip. We visit the same store every week and we've become friends with several of the employees and managers that work there and know them by name. It's nice to go to a place where people call you by name and remember what you like to drink. (sweet tea...that's a given when visiting McAlister's...I know, I'm a true southern girl) :) We go there because we want to build relationships with those employees and maybe eventually invite them to church activities. I look forward to our trips to McAlister's now because of those friendships.
Even if you can't or don't want to regularly visit a specific restaurant every week, you can still make a difference in the places you do visit (whether it be a department store, home improvement store, grocery store, etc.) by the way you act. A smile or kind word can go a long way. Everyone that you encounter (servers and employees) are people just like you and have feelings just like you do. They are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, and friends, just like you. Treat them with respect and kindness. You are able to control your attitude and choose how you treat people. It's easier to be nice than it is to be grumpy and mean. So, smile! You never know what a simple smile can do. :)
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