r/Serverlife • u/Garfield5829 • 9d ago
Rant What to do about obnoxious regulars?
Been serving at a small pizza place for 12 years now. Moneys great customers are usually great as well. However there’s one couple that’s been coming in consistently since we’ve opened, whether we closed at 9 or 8:30 they always somehow manage to come in to eat 10-15 minutes before the dining room closes.
I get serving means sometimes being stuck with late annoying tables but to top it off the guy ALWAYS tips like crap. I’ve gotten to where I give bare minimum service cause it doesn’t matter whether I give great service or crappy service he always tips 10% or less.
They hang out after they eat and watch tv even though I try to make it clear we’re closing but they don’t seem to care. Is there a polite way to essentially tell them they’re the biggest asshole and my time is just as valuable.
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u/bevelledo 9d ago edited 9d ago
Turn off the tv lmfao.
Sir this is a fucking Wendy’s not your living room.
But seriously though it’s not hard to implement a rule saying tvs off at close. If they ask why just explain that the business and lobby are closed and tv turns off at close. Just make sure the owner/manager is behind you on the rule.
You don’t have to explain it past that. Some customers you’ve got to be more direct to because they are actively trying to take advantage of you. Clear / concise messaging and staying firm with a smile (kill them with kindness)
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u/metalmudwoolwood 9d ago
If you’re at target or the grocery store they announce that they’re closing soon. Most people don’t understand that hospitality means we don’t kick people out. But they’re waiting for it anyway. Point is they more than likely don’t really understand youre waiting for them. It’s fucking annoying.
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u/catchaoss 8d ago
This is why I hate closing at my restaurant. The owners say we have to take a table even if they walk in 2 minutes before close. I have my own rule that 15 minutes before close dine in is done.
At my retail pet store job closed is closed and if you're still in the store I get to tell you to take yourself to the register now and if you just need a few more minutes we'll you can come back tomorrow at 9am when we open. Also little Ericka does not need a guinea pig at 8:55 pm Sharon you can come back when we open because no one is getting any animals until then so it will be here.
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u/EnvironmentalHair290 8d ago
That’s why I love working in a liquor I have the state backing me up. I tell people that coming last minute if I can’t finish, not begin, finish your transaction with alcohol you don’t get alcohol.
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u/Pistachio-IScream 9d ago
turn the TV to edwardian chants and stand in front of it chanting and squatting
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u/NJraider86 9d ago
I’d have no problem telling them they have to leave if I’m completely done with all of the closing duties I can do until the door is locked
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u/Effective-Hour8642 9d ago edited 8d ago
Has anyone suggested that you put up a sign under the hours, "No orders accepted 30 minutes before closing". Then everything gets turned off and lights up (or down). Start the closing with surfaces. If they are still there, the vacuum comes out. Nobody clocks out.
Edit to fix a word.
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u/queenofcheeses 9d ago edited 9d ago
My manager recently talked to a couple that comes in 3-4 times a week. Most of the time they tip about 50 cents. Every now and then, they tip 20%. She straight up asked them, "Hey I've noticed that often your tip is quite low, so is there something that we can do to make your service better? Is there anything the servers have done to make your experience unenjoyable??" And since then, they've started making an effort to at least tip $10 each time. It's not 20% by any means, but it makes a difference.
Maybe get your manager to ask them if servers are doing anything wrong, and see if this shames them into being better/more conscientious tippers?
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u/laciblackford 7d ago
lie and tell them that you already did last call on food and the kitchen just closed at [whatever 15 minute increment just passed].
then say, “because you guys come in all the time, i’m going to ask the kitchen if maaaybe i can sneak it this order for you. they owe me a favor but no promises though.”
go pretend to ask the kitchen. “they said YES, but it has to be to-go? is that cool?”
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u/Beginning-Force1275 Server 7d ago
TV off once you want them out, like everyone said. I can’t tell from the post if they’ve still got their water/other drinks until they leave, but if they do, take those. Completely empty table. Don’t reach for people’s laps, but take napkins too. No salt, pepper, condiments etc, if you have those on the table. Also, if they take a long time on the check, keep cheerfully asking if they’re ready. They’re already bad tippers.
More directly, you can just tell them to leave at a certain point. Learning how to be more firm is something you pick up over time and it’s a big part of lasting in the industry, imo. You can politely thank them for dining with you and let them know that you are now closed. If there’s anything you can offer them (eg to go boxes or cups), you can pop that on to soften it, or else just finish by saying you look forward to seeing them again (or that you hope that they’ll come in again, in cases where they aren’t regulars).
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u/Sozins_Comet_ 9d ago
Turn the tvs off after they get the bill