Tales from a Waitress: Keep Your Kid Home

Tales from a Waitress: Keep Your Kid Home

Monday, December 10, 2007

filed under: kid logic

The holiday season sees more parents dining out with kids than ever. "Kim," a waitress at a popular chain restaurant, enlightens parents with her side of the story.

Instead of hating the messenger, we decided to find out what it is that drives others crazy when we take our children out to lunch or dinner. We don't really want our families to be publicly hated, right?

ML: When eating out with kids, how much do you suggest parents tip?
Kim: If you have a good server, the very least you should tip is 15 percent. Anywhere from 18-20 percent is best if you liked them.

ML: And how much do we tip for... crayons on the floor?
Kim: An extra dollar.

ML: Food squished on the floor?
Kim:Make it $3.

ML: Dumping milk on the wait staff?
Kim: 10 bucks should do it. If your child is a nightmare for your server, and they still kept a smile (I'm always good at that) tipping them more is always welcome!

Mom•Logic: What is your pet peeve about waiting on families?
Kim: When parents don't take responsibility for their
children. I can't tell you how many times kids would leave the table
and start chasing each other right in middle of the restaurant, and
their parents act like it's not even happening. Also, and I'm not
lying, parents would let their kids draw on the tables and glass windows with crayons and not stop them. It would drive me crazy, cuz I would be the one scrubbing it out at the end of the night.

ML: Do you just hate kids?
Kim: I like kids—it's not them, it's the parents. Don't bring your kids if you can't pay attention to them.

ML: What could parents do to make it better for those around them?
Kim: Be aware of what your child is doing at all times. Get a portable DVD player with head phones maybe, so they can watch a movie.

ML stares blankly at Kim's young, adorable face wondering if she is kidding or not. It appears she is not.

12 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

she’s right - there are parents who can’t control their kids walking down the street - never mind a restaurant.

- Ladyblue

Posted 12/10/07 12:24 PM

Where I agree with what a lot that she has to say, most parents are oblivious or chose to be when they are with their children in restaurants. I have one child and she is the most well mannered child there most of the time. Why? Because I raised her to be that way, and if she did act like that, we would not go to a restaurant. As for the waitress, tell her to call us “mothers” when she starts having children. Sometimes you just need someone else to do the cooking.

- Nee

Posted 12/10/07 01:30 PM

Eating out with kids can be ridiculously tough, but the parents have to be responsible for their kids. Parents have to want to be with and discipline their kids. Nowadays, parents complain to me about having to be at home with their kids over the summer, or winter break. They want to send them to some camp for someone else to be responsible for them. YOU BROUGHT THEM INTO THIS WORLD, BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM !!!!

- CP

Posted 12/10/07 02:14 PM

WHAT AREA DO YOU LIVE IN LAST POSTER?

- Anonymous

Posted 12/10/07 09:48 PM

WHAT AREA DO YOU LIVE IN LAST POSTER?

- Anonymous

Posted 12/10/07 09:49 PM

WHAT AREA DO YOU LIVE IN LAST POSTER?

- Anonymous

Posted 12/10/07 09:50 PM

None of your business…just keep your kids away from me

- Anonymous

Posted 12/10/07 11:19 PM

My kids won’t be near your nastiness! Keep your distance from us as well! Guess, you are hanging around for more than the article you said you were here for. Being a mom must interest you and what we talk about. Jealously will get you know where!

- Anonymous

Posted 12/11/07 12:26 AM

Pop in from time to time. Your on here posting comments constantly. Is this the only entertainment you have going for yourself?? What is it any business of yours, how hard it is for a mom? Do you know how stupid you seem saying you read and post on here, because this is fun for you. You really need to stop referring to mom’s as moos. Your so bad with your words over the Internet!

- Anonymous

Posted 12/11/07 12:52 AM

I understand this article is about kids in restaurants but I just could not help but comment on the issue of tipping. I find it amazing when someone says “If you have a good server, the very least you should tip is 15 percent.” Why is that? Only in America can a person expect to receive money from a customer just for doing their job! If you have a good server???? All servers are supposed to be good, and bad servers should be fired.I shouldn’t have to pay extra for good service. I can’t imagine what my boss would say if I told him that from now on, I’m going to be a lousy worker unless his clients pay me extra after they pay his bill. Please!!! Oh yeah, spare me the low pay I work for tips garbage. No one ever gets paid as much as they want. If you want more money then get a better a job, start your own business, get a better education, or join the military for training. Get a life waitress.

- Notabegger

Posted 12/12/07 12:03 AM

- Notabegger

Posted 12/12/07 12:03 AM

- notabegger

Posted 12/12/07 12:04 AM