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[Loopy]

I was reading a few articles recently about this subject and reflected on my own experiences at restaurants.

Why is it that as a rule, Black folks (especially black CHURCH folks) tend to be rude, picky, and loud in restaurants, and then leave bad tips? I personally HATE going to restaurants with some of my friends because they tend to be the pickiest, rude people to the servers.

When I go out to eat, I go out of my way to be pleasant, nice and to the point when I'm ordering, and I leave good tips for good service. For one, because I treat people how I would want to be treated. I'm sure waiting tables is a very STRESSFUL job as it is. Secondly, let's be honest. In most restaurants, you can't see what's happening in the kitchen, and believe me, from my experience in fast food as a teenager, employees DO get the last laugh with rude customers! (let's just say there can be "secret ingredients" in their food).

I'm finding that CHURCH groups, especially conventions, have the WORST reputaion in the service industry. For example, many people in Memphis HATE to see the COGIC convention come in November, because people tend to be rude, obnoxious, demanding, and don't tip.

I have seen many people act rudely with wait staff to show off to the rest of us at the table, be extra picky with orders and then throw a fit when it's not perfect, then, worst of all, cry "racism" or "Discrimination" when things go badly. Then they leave a BAD TIP or don't tip at all!! Has anyone experienced this? Or do any of you treat wait staff rudely, and go into restaurants with an attitude?

[NJTheBishopAnderson]

Bruh, you talkin right! I can't STAND being in a restaurant with ignorant, rude "black folk". Some people just feel that you as a customer sit in a position of power and allows you to act any kind of way.  I don't believe that... you reap what you sow.

Now, Mcdonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and a few others, you just may have to get ghetto. 

[kadman92]

it's not just black folk...  all folk today have a sense of entitlement for whichever reason

another argument is some waitstaff should find another job cause they don't have the patience or skill to do that job
DON'T WHINE TO ME!!!!  "Can I get you anyyyyyyyyyyythiiiiiiiiiiiing ellllllllllllllllllllllseeeeeeeeee"  "are Ya'll oKkkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy"

Also don't act like I'm making you cross the Nile to get me another syrup or a more napkins or the bottle of catchup I've asked for twice.
When we have good service we tip accordingly.

I'll tell you what I do notice...

When we drive in the city folk crossing the street act like the own it.  Now I can't deny it's mostly black folk but people in general think that the world owes them courtesy.

[SisterT]

I agree with you Loopy.

I do try to make sure that I treat my "server" with respect. I'm also a big tipper. Waiters and waitresses are our servers. They serve us. Jesus said the GREATEST among you will be your servant. People who serve us, whether in ministry or job are in a position of humility and honor. They must still serve when we mistreat them. They must serve those who are disrespectful, unlovinig, and basically act a jack-donkey! Those who serve are in a postion greater than those BEING served. When we change our perspective & view of the position, maybe we will be a little bit nicer.

[changedman]

I was reading a few articles recently about this subject and reflected on my own experiences at restaurants.

Why is it that as a rule, Black folks (especially black CHURCH fols) tend to be rude, picky, and loud in restaurants, and then leave bad tips? I personally HATE going to restaurants with some of my friends because they tend to be the pickiest, rude people to the servers.

When I go out to eat, I go out of my way to be pleasant, nice and to the point when I'm ordering, and I leave good tips for good service. For one, because I treat people how I would want to be treated. I'm sure waiting tables is a very STRESSFUL job as it is. Secondly, let's be honest. In most restaurants, you can't see what's happening in the kitchen, and believe me, from my experience in fast food as a teenager, employees DO get the last laugh with rude customers! (let's just say there can be "secret ingredients" in their food).

I'm finding that CHURCH groups, especially conventions, have the WORST reputaion in the service industry. For example, many people in Memphis HATE to see the COGIC convention come in November, because people tend to be rude, obnoxious, demanding, and don't tip.

I have seen many people act rudely with wait staff to show off to the rest of us at the table, be extra picky with orders and then throw a fit when it's not perfect, then, worst of all, cry "racism" or "Discrimination" when things go badly. Then they leave a BAD TIP or don't tip at all!! Has anyone experienced this? Or do any of you treat wait staff rudely, and go into restaurants with an attitude?

The reason is simple.  BECAUSE OF THE UNIFORMS!  All waiters and waitresses should wear peach!  LOL!


No, seriously, it really is a status quo thing.  Some people spend their whole lives waiting on their "big chance" to be better than someone else and throw it around.  So, you put on your big COGIC suit and hat or your mink and your waiter comes to the table dressed in usher colors (black and white) with an apron.

The rudeness comes as a result of excitement..."WOW!  I finally get my chance to talk down to someone instead of always being talked down to...I should film this and send it to Oprah".

If wait staff took it that way, for one they'd get a good laugh...and for two, it would make rude people much more understandable.

When I worked at Kroger as a Cashier back in high school, I remembered how my aunt used to ask me every time I frowned "who peed in your kool-aid".

Well, when people were rude to me at the register, I just got a good look at them and imagined them sitting at a table with a glass of kool-aid and someone doing that to them...

They never got nothing but smiles out of me....and some are probably still trying to figure out how and why!!!

[changedman]

I agree with you Loopy.

I do try to make sure that I treat my "server" with respect. I'm also a big tipper. Waiters and waitresses are our servers. They serve us. Jesus said the GREATEST among you will be your servant. People who serve us, whether in ministry or job are in a position of humility and honor. They must still serve when we mistreat them. They must serve those who are disrespectful, unlovinig, and basically act a jack-donkey! Those who serve are in a postion greater than those BEING served. When we change our perspective & view of the position, maybe we will be a little bit nicer.

SHE REALLY IS A GREAT "RESTAURANT SERVICE RECEIVER PERSON".  I've seen it in action TWICE!

Next time she comes to Memphis, watch and see if I don't pose as a waiter!

[Wayne Webb]

I agree with you Loopy.

I do try to make sure that I treat my "server" with respect. I'm also a big tipper. Waiters and waitresses are our servers. They serve us. Jesus said the GREATEST among you will be your servant. People who serve us, whether in ministry or job are in a position of humility and honor. They must still serve when we mistreat them. They must serve those who are disrespectful, unlovinig, and basically act a jack-donkey! Those who serve are in a postion greater than those BEING served. When we change our perspective & view of the position, maybe we will be a little bit nicer.

Sister T....you're so sweet!

A jack donkey????......HAHAHAHHAHAAAHAA... I like that!
Sounds much nicer too!

[silky]

You know, I know a former waitress that told me she didn't like when she had to work on Sundays because that's when the church folk (black of course) would come. She knew she would not be making any money that day. She said church folk were the worst tippers. 

[nessalynn77]

My former Pastor always taught us to tip well, even if the service is not the best.   I have some friends that I don't like going out with, one in particular pitched such a fit, that the waitress ended up crying.  I haven't been out with him since.  Even if something is not acceptable, there is a way to talk to people about it without being nasty.  Most of the time if something minor is wrong with my order, I won't even bother, I mean I'm not gonna die because they didn't do every single little tiny thing correctly.

I also hate when people have to "specialize" everything on the menu to suit them.  This irritates me and I'm not even the waitress!  It's like they can't order ANYTHING without 20 details on how they want it prepared differently from the way it's served.  That's a pet peeve for me.

[1voice]

I was reading a few articles recently about this subject and reflected on my own experiences at restaurants.

Why is it that as a rule, Black folks (especially black CHURCH folks) tend to be rude, picky, and loud in restaurants, and then leave bad tips? I personally HATE going to restaurants with some of my friends because they tend to be the pickiest, rude people to the servers.

When I go out to eat, I go out of my way to be pleasant, nice and to the point when I'm ordering, and I leave good tips for good service. For one, because I treat people how I would want to be treated. I'm sure waiting tables is a very STRESSFUL job as it is. Secondly, let's be honest. In most restaurants, you can't see what's happening in the kitchen, and believe me, from my experience in fast food as a teenager, employees DO get the last laugh with rude customers! (let's just say there can be "secret ingredients" in their food).

I'm finding that CHURCH groups, especially conventions, have the WORST reputaion in the service industry. For example, many people in Memphis HATE to see the COGIC convention come in November, because people tend to be rude, obnoxious, demanding, and don't tip.

I have seen many people act rudely with wait staff to show off to the rest of us at the table, be extra picky with orders and then throw a fit when it's not perfect, then, worst of all, cry "racism" or "Discrimination" when things go badly. Then they leave a BAD TIP or don't tip at all!! Has anyone experienced this? Or do any of you treat wait staff rudely, and go into restaurants with an attitude?

i agree 100%  and especially when it's my own church folks,and i ask the same question, why??

i tip for good service,and i ,also,believe in being pleasant to the wait staff,cause they are friends with the chef,lol.

[Lady E]

I'm feelin you Loopy... I can't stand being at a restaurant with people who don't know how to treat people.  Then I have to try to compensate and be super-duper nice.

Not all of course... but alot of them are church folk, and they don't have one bit of shame about their behavior... they think it's ok.

Then they have the nerve, after asking for 100 things and running the poor person all around... to say "I'm not leaving them nothing, I don't like thier attitude".   To top it off, if they don't think the person is worthy of a tip, they don't want you to leave one either.

When that waiter or waitress really deserves a $50 tip, for puttin up with all that.

I always leave a tip... but it doesn't take too much to make me happy, just bring me my food well done and be decent, and I'm straight.

I'm not gonna call you to the table 15 times... 15 times for what?   

[Loopy]

I also hate when people have to "specialize" everything on the menu to suit them.  This irritates me and I'm not even the waitress!  It's like they can't order ANYTHING without 20 details on how they want it prepared differently from the way it's served.  That's a pet peeve for me.

OMG!! I feel the EXACT same way. This is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine also. Then when people who are extra, extra picky, if everything is not 110% perfect, they get all belligerant and throw a hissy fit! I'm like "If your behind wouldn't be so doggoned difficult, your chances of being disappointed would be greatly diminished!!"

Now see, the people on this thread, I could go out to eat with y'all anyday and have a good time. Y'all are my kind of restaurant company!

[SisterT]

Sister T....you're so sweet!

A jack donkey????......HAHAHAHHAHAAAHAA... I like that!
Sounds much nicer too!

LOL!  Trying to keep it clean. 

[BBoy]

I beleive in tipping well. And yes, sometimes people can act in a way that embarasses you . . . . you just want to walk by and pretend that you don't see them, or just hope that you have enough love showing through you so that you can encourage someone.

It isn't just in restaurants, though. Once I was at a scholarship banquet hosted by a church in Germany, the plates were something like 25 dollars a plate to raise scholarship money.

I was so embarassed.

People were eating like they were starving! Busting out of their tight silk suits, but eating like they were going off to war or something!

Bread is served first as an appetizer, we know this. People were trying to get full off of bread! And the desert was a slice of jelly roll. People started gobbling that up to! The desert for a scholarship banquet is supposed to be light, because the goal is to raise money to send young saints to college, not to eat until you get so full you can't move! . . . I tell ya, people were acting like the desert should have been your momma's homemade banana pudding or something!

After eating all the appetitzers and asking for more bread, the kitchen staff had to speak to the people in charge of the dinner. The toast mistresses had to get on the microphone and politely say, "I'm sorry, but there is no more bread." I was embarssed, but people started to laugh. 

Then there were some glitches in the program. No big deal, right? Well the mistress of ceremony was so stressed over the few things wrong that I said something to the others at my table, and we made it a point to tell her what a wonderful job she was doing.

It was something else.

I usually like Golden Coral myself, and I go there enough so that the people know me. They know I tip well and I often have my Bible and read it while I'm eating, so some of them know I'm saved. We are to be a light wherever we go. What if I was carrying this big Bible and didn't tip anything, was rude and demanding? What kind of witness would that be?

Yes, we can do some more teaching about day to day manners.

Be Blessed, everyone 

[OleJ]

I was taught to treat everyone with respect. When I go out to eat, I treat my waiters kindly, I choose to be a good friendly customer and in return, they will provide good service. I also give out a tip, EVERY time, usually a little more than the suggested 15%. I know that some people don't give good enough tips or tips at all, and some of these waiters are working hard, supporting their families in a job that pays little.

And anyway, WHY would you be rude to someone who's handling your food? All waiters aren't Holy Ghost filled and saved. I bet some of those rude diners got a little something "extra" in their meals. AcK!
Those "church folk" need to spend a little more time reading their Bibles and learn how to be more Christlike rather than exerting immature "power" they won't have come M-F.

[Nakia518]

I was taught to treat everyone with respect. When I go out to eat, I treat my waiters kindly, I choose to be a good friendly customer and in return, they will provide good service. I also give out a tip, EVERY time, usually a little more than the suggested 15%. I know that some people don't give good enough tips or tips at all, and some of these waiters are working hard, supporting their families in a job that pays little.

And anyway, WHY would you be rude to someone who's handling your food? All waiters aren't Holy Ghost filled and saved. I bet some of those rude diners got a little something "extra" in their meals. AcK!
Those "church folk" need to spend a little more time reading their Bibles and learn how to be more Christlike rather than exerting immature "power" they won't have come M-F.

A to da Men....

[KurzLand]

Yeah man you guys are loud...LOL!

[biblethumpa]

Black people do this???







LOL...

[jukey23]

The worst part about it is, the folks of which you speak are my family!!!  I LOVE going out to eat, but at times, my folks can ruin it a little.  We frequent this particular chinese food buffet.  Let one of the servers get ONE little thing wrong, and its war.  My people act like the servers are SO beneath them, they treat them with little to no respect.  It is even worse because most of the servers are Asian, and some inappropriate comments have been made regarding their race and accents.  I've gotten mad a few times and let them know about it, but to no avail.  I end up being the bad guy, because my family doesn't feel that they are being rude.  From the pickiest, to the rudest, you can find them in my family.  Like most of you on here, I try to go out of my way to be kind and patient.  I stick out like a thumb, cause I don't want nobody's thumbs in my food.  If I'm saved, plus they are my family, and I STILL feel like tainting their food, imagine what the servers feel like doing!!!

This brings up yet another fact about black folk falling down the ladder of ignorance.  Those of us who see these things happening are told to shut up, and that we are just afraid to say how we feel.  So I feel you loopy.

[LaRue1212]

Awwww, y'all are about to make me cry!!!

Okay, for the record, before I say anything else: I am a HUGE tipper - no matter how the service is.  I consider it part of my ministry, to some degree.  I have a lot of compassion for servants in ministry, just as I do for servers in restaurants.  They might be having a bad day.  Might have been laid off from a 6-figure income position, just doing what they have to do to feed their families.  Might be suicidal, depressed, discouraged.  You just never know.  I know it sounds "super-deep" and I PROMISE I'm the last person to be deep, but eating out at a restaurant is ALWAYS an opportunity to minister.  Always.  Even if it's just giving a smile, a kind word, writing an encouraging (not too deep) scripture on the back of the receipt... or just being the "nicest person they've had all day long."  Even if you had to fake it, they may think it's the love of God, and want a little bit of the joy you seem to have.  You just never know.

Anyway, with all that deep stuff aside, I'm ashamed to admit...

I'M ONE OF THE PICKY ORDER-ERS... I can't order anything from the menu without having them take this off, add this, and switch out this side item for the other one.

Sorrrrrryyyyyy..... (at least I'm a huge tipper).