alright, this is going to be a rant.
after being a server for 3 years and a bartender for 7, i can tell you that servers and bartenders have every right to *****. to the person that wants to be mr. pink, you are right, tipping is not mandatory, however think of this, servers only make minimum wage, and that is really only in california. in most other states, servers make, last time i checked, $2.15/hr. it barley covers the taxes you have to pay, you get a paycheck that says void on it. the server lives off the tips that the guests leave, so in retort to your statement of tipping is not mandatory, no it isnt, but it is someones lively hood.
now onto the annoying guest. little hints.
1.) Be Polite!! Why would you want to be rude to the last person that touches YOUR food before you get it. Think about it.
2.) Control your kids. This is not disney land, the staff and the other guests in the resteraunt dont want to hear your kids screaming or see them playing cowboys and indians through out the resteraunt. be a parent and take control.
3.) If the food/drink is not right, cold, not what you ordered, then by all means send it back, but dont eat/drink 99% of it and then send it back. Refer to #1
4.) Try to be understanding. if we have a 5 table station, with 4 people on each table, thats 20 people who all want something from you all at the same time. tell you what, you get 20 strangers together and tell them that for 1 hour you want them all to yell your name, ask you questions, and tell you to get them stuff. you see how you feel after that hour, then maybe you will understand.
5.) One word, Visine. two drops of visine in your drink will send you to the to the can with a very serious bout of the squirts.
6.) Dont go into a resteraunt 15 minutes before closing. Picture it like your boss comming to you 15 minutes before you leave, handing you an assignment that you know is gonna take you another hour to an hour and a half and telling you that it has to be done today befor you go. Use some common sense.
7.) No serving is not a very complicated job, more of a timing thing than anything, and yes i will admit, i have know my fair share of less than brilliant co-workers. But do think on this, no all of us are dumb, belittle us, be rude to us, leave us a crappy tip, we will remember you, and the nicest thing that could happen to you the next time you come in, is crappy service.
8.) Finally, think about when your at work, do you like it when people come and belittle you, and are rude to you while youre on the job. Then why would you do it to someone else?