DUmmy has a server conundrum

[Ralph Wiggum]

d_r (3,496 posts)

help with server conundrum


This isn't a tipping question. Let me say I always tip well. And I'm a friendly person and joke with servers and have good interactions.

And this is probably just me and it is my problem.

But it creeps me out when the server puts their thumb in my plate. Like last night we took the kids to a casual chain restaurant. I got a salad, and it came in one of those casual chain restaurant salad bowl/plates, and the server is gripping it by the edge with his thumb just hanging in my salad.

It creeps me out.

Is it just me?

Is there not another way that they can carry those things? I think it is because they are carrying so many plates all lined up on their arms.

Could they just use a tray? Put the bowl with a plate underneath?

But the conundrum is this. How can I communicate that? I tipped the guy a little over 20%. I'd be aghast to say anything. Is there a way to communicate that its creepy to me and I wish they wouldn't do it without being a jerk? Without getting the poor guy in trouble? I know he's just doing his job and I appreciate that.

Is there a way to communicate that?

Not really looking out for the proverbial little guy, you arrogant jerk.

Nye Bevan (14,561 posts)
1. A quiet word with the manager.

Don't kick up any kind of a stink, just say that a gentle reminder about this to the waitstaff is in order.

In all honesty, I am no kind of a germ-a-phobe, and don't care if a server touches the edge of my plate.

Any thoughts. 

[Chris_]

Trust a DUmmy to get upset about opposable thumbs.

[DefiantSix]

d_r (3,496 posts)
blah blah blah, whine, moan complain...

...It creeps me out.

Now maybe you have some inkling of an idea how that "server" felt having your arrogant, self-absorbed, patchouli-smelling ass sitting in their area, DUmbshit.

[DLR Pyro]

d_r (3,496 posts)

help with server conundrum


This isn't a tipping question. Let me say I always tip well. And I'm a friendly person and joke with servers and have good interactions.

And this is probably just me and it is my problem.

But it creeps me out when the server puts their thumb in my plate. Like last night we took the kids to a casual chain restaurant. I got a salad, and it came in one of those casual chain restaurant salad bowl/plates, and the server is gripping it by the edge with his thumb just hanging in my salad.

It creeps me out.

make me wonder what kind of places DUmmy d_r's own thumb normally hangs out at...

[Chris_]

How much was the tip?

[Ralph Wiggum]

d_r (3,499 posts)
8. that's actually a really good idea.

I think I'm going to think about every restaurant I may go to in the next year and start calling the managers telling them that story. A public service project.

Can you imagine anyone doing this?  

DUmmy: Hi, my name is Joe Smith-Johnson (remember, all male DUmmies have to use the hyphenated name to create equality with their male/female/animal partner.)  I might be dining in your restaurant in sometime in 2014.  I would really prefer that your servers keep their thumbs off of my plate, just in case I happen to stop in.  It should be recommended behavior.

~ pause ~

Restaurant manager: OK, thanks for that advice, sir, we shall strive to follow your request.

DUmmy: Thank you very much.  Hangs up phone, gets all smug with satisfaction.  Jerks off to DUmmyville.

Restaurant manager: Maniacal laughter.

[DefiantSix]

make me wonder what kind of places DUmmy d_r's own thumb normally hangs out at...

The usual DUmbass places, of course.

[Dori]

Not really looking out for the proverbial little guy, you arrogant jerk.
 
In all honesty, I am no kind of a germ-a-phobe, and don't care if a server touches the edge of my plate.

Any thoughts. 

If people only knew how many people touched their plates and food before they got it, they might not eat out.

Someone certainly touched all that lettuce and veggies when they were making the salad.  Someone had to take the dishes out of the dishwasher and stack them, someone had to take the dish out of the stack and put the salad in it.   

Just pray they all wash their hands frequently.

[delilahmused]

I've never even thought about this. I figure touching my plate is going to happen somewhere between the chef/cook putting the food on my plate and the waiter/ess juggling a few plates at a time. Heck the kitchen staff probably has to physically touch my food during between taking things out of the fridge or on a shelf, mixing ingredients or while cooking. Why isn't she concerned about that?

Cindie

[fatboy]

Not really looking out for the proverbial little guy, you arrogant jerk.
 
In all honesty, I am no kind of a germ-a-phobe, and don't care if a server touches the edge of my plate.

Any thoughts. 

Two thumbs up and a H5, great catch

[thundley4]

I've never even thought about this. I figure touching my plate is going to happen somewhere between the chef/cook putting the food on my plate and the waiter/ess juggling a few plates at a time. Heck the kitchen staff probably has to physically touch my food during between taking things out of the fridge or on a shelf, mixing ingredients or while cooking. Why isn't she concerned about that?

Cindie

Out of sight, out of mind.  If the DUmmie doesn't see it or if Obama/MSNBC didn't tell them about it , it never happened.

[dane]

This isn't a tipping question. Let me say I always tip well.

Now, *that* is a crock, and we know it.  S/h/it only put it in here to try to gain cred because of all the recent minimum wage/tipping threads.

Like last night we took the kids to a casual chain restaurant. I got a salad, and it came in one of those casual chain restaurant salad bowl/plates

Styrofoam tray at McDonald's

[JohnnyReb]

Back during the depression, people worked a 12 hour shift in the cotton mill. They had to stay at their job even during "breaks". So, they had a fellow running what they called "the dope wagon". He had snacks, cakes and drinks on the wagon but if you wanted hot coffee, he had to go get it. When ever he returned with the coffee he always had his thumb in the coffee. One fellow, like our DUmmie here, got tired of him sticking his thumb in his coffee. He said something to the man running the dope wagon and one word led to another. Finally the guy told the fellow he did it because he had arthritis and the doctor had told him to keep his thumb in something warm and moist. The disgruntled customer then told him, "Well then, why don't you stick your thumb up your ass". The dope wagon operator said, "I do when I'm not carrying coffee."

[DumbAss Tanker]

Not really looking out for the proverbial little guy, you arrogant jerk.
 
In all honesty, I am no kind of a germ-a-phobe, and don't care if a server touches the edge of my plate.

Any thoughts. 

I'm with you.  For my $.02, being an extreme germ freak does more harm than good.  I draw the line at the server's thumb in the soup...or severed thumbs in any of the dishes, that's bad too.

 

[BlueStateSaint]

I'm with you.  For my $.02, being an extreme germ freak does more harm than good.  I draw the line at the server's thumb in the soup...or severed thumbs in any of the dishes, that's bad too.

 

Pinky fingers are okay, then?

[tanstaafl]

d_r (3,499 posts)
8. that's actually a really good idea.

I think I'm going to think about every restaurant I may go to in the next year and start calling the managers telling them that story. A public service project.

DUmmie d_r; please expect someone in the kitchen to pull a Jesse Jackson on your next cheeseburger order. A little extra secret sauce. Hope the cook has hepatitis.

But rest assured, no one's thumb will touch your plate.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Pinky fingers are okay, then?

I'm not into that Asian 'New cuisine' or 'Fusion' shit, thanks anyway.

 

[vesta111]

Matter of fact I would like to see all food handlers wear those clear gloves and change them every hour.   

Gives me the horrors to watch a cooking show and the Chief is wearing rings when cooking.

I think it was the spread of yellow fever in the first world war in hospitals that was traced to the medical staff refusing to remove their wedding bands and the germs hid under the jewelry.     

I like most of us have seen restaurant staff leave a rest room without a good scrub, if any.   

Now I never gave it much thought but in today's world all the immigrants coming from country's and never been vaccinated working in the food service handling food with bare hands gives me the creeps.

Now we find a new polio like vireus is striking down children up and down the West Coast.  So where did they get this from ?

[BlueStateSaint]

I'm not into that Asian 'New cuisine' or 'Fusion' shit, thanks anyway.

 

Wise guy!

[tuolumnejim]

Not really looking out for the proverbial little guy, you arrogant jerk.
 
In all honesty, I am no kind of a germ-a-phobe, and don't care if a server touches the edge of my plate.

Any thoughts. 

Well I would have big problem with that if it was a lib but that would mean that they had a job, I guess I'm safe. 

[Doc Savage]

You do not see how the plates and bowls are being handles in the kitchen.  The way all these places plate food now, a serving platter for a 3 oz fillet with drizzles pine nut extract and organic mushrooms, that leaves enough room for an NBA player to palm the plate and not come close to the food.

Be more concerned about how the food is stored in the walk in, how the bar is cleaned.

[Purple Sage]

It's fairly simple.  If one is squeamish about germs, stay out of restaurants.  It's the chance one takes when dining out.