Respect for People in the Service Industry

I think it is important to show respect for people that are working in any industry, but today I am referring to the food service industry in particular.  There are few things more awkward and regretful than eating at a restaurant with an otherwise pleasant person that has disdain for people in the service industry.  If it is necessary to send back food (and I often do as a very picky eater), be as polite as possible and don't blame the server.  Maybe it was the fault of the cook, maybe the server wrote the order down wrong, or maybe the order was just unclear.  Regardless, understand the hours that people work and stay on their feet just to make ends meet, and recognize that all of us make mistakes from time to time.

So if you come across a less-than-happy server, simply realize that you don't know their life circumstances or the type of day/week/month that they have experienced.  It is a more difficult and tiring job than you may realize.  Consider how lucky we are just to be able to afford to eat at a restaurant and have someone serve us; many people all over the world (including where you live) don't get to experience that luxury.  Give them a tip that you can afford and shows that you value their service.

Thanks for reading!  Feel free to share your own awkward experiences at restaurants (or anywhere else) in the comments.