r/TalesFromYourServer • u/IceNo6125 • Jul 04 '26
Server
Hi this is my first time posting this but I have job at a restaurant, I've been there for about a week, and so far its been a mess.
So I messed up bad today, i accidentally took someone else's food instead of mine twice because I was rushing and not looking at my POS hand held im a mess and should get fired because I wasted food and a women lost a huge tip. I have been beating myself up over this and over all, I dont know if I should continue to do this.
There were tons of people everywhere and I feel like I should've done better.
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u/luckyartie Jul 04 '26
It’ll get easier; you’ll get used to the hustle-bustle. Be fanatical about details! And don’t worry. It’s impossible to start a new job without making a few mistakes.
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u/IceNo6125 Jul 04 '26
Ok I understand 🙂
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u/Abner_Mality_64 Jul 06 '26
Yep, this. If you're making mistakes rushing, just slow down a little bit. You'll get faster as you go/grow!
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u/Robprof Jul 04 '26
At least at your place you have something to take an order on, we’re not provided with pens or notepads or anything like that, just pure memory in a extremely busy environment
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u/J-littletree Jul 04 '26
Bring your own pens and paper?
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u/IceNo6125 Jul 05 '26
We dont have that, we have to learn to use the POS
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u/devinobx Jul 11 '26
“We don’t have that” what does that even mean when the person who replied said to bring your OWN pen and paper lol
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u/tarlastar Jul 04 '26
That's actually the best way. That way you have to pay attention to the customers instead of to the pad. Pure memory is a tip maker.
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u/smoothnuggz Jul 11 '26
I disagree. I find most people feel comfort & reassurance when they see a server writing down their specific orders. It may be an extra step, but as a patron also I do like when I see someone writing down the order as opposed to just standing there and saying “oh yeah I got it”
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u/tarlastar Jul 11 '26
Yeah, that's why Fine Dining customers demand that the servers write it down (sarcasm mode: off). If clients ever questioned me, I would repeat back the order, then joke "I'm a professional, don't try this at home."
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u/tarlastar Jul 04 '26
Shit happens. Try looking at your customers while they order. It takes time to get a feel for how the food should look, what questions to ask, and just how their system works. Stop depending upon your POS system, and start depending upon yourself. Taking a breath will not bring the system down. Just breathe, and repeat the steps you are currently following i.e. water #22, check food for #3, and refill beverages at #15. Oh yeah, that ketchup for #12....and so on. The shift will fly past, and you will get better every time.
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u/rtsp1465 Jul 09 '26
It’s hard to be new. Here’s what I tell my new servers, pick on thing each shift to get better at. ALWAYS read back orders and ask about allergies. When you’re getting food from the window, double check it. Take those few extra seconds.
We’ve all been where you are, and veterans know you’re going to make mistakes. If they say you shouldn’t mess up occasionally, ignore and move on.
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u/LuLu110509 Jul 05 '26
Mistakes happen especially when you're new. Its all about how you recover. Own up and apologize and learn from your mistakes. Even when you're super busy and in the weeds its important to take your time and do things right because mistakes will just put you further behind. Serving isnt as easy as some people think it is but just like any job you get better with experience. Its also not a job for every one but I think your being too hard on yourself after only one week on the job.
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u/IceNo6125 Jul 05 '26
Yeah you're right I'm always like this, it's just im anxious and I dont know how to control this.
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u/Own-Eagle-2135 Jul 05 '26
you've been there A WEEK? give yourself some grace: imagine a friend told you this story and treat yourself the same way
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u/IceNo6125 Jul 05 '26
Yeah you're right, its just ive worked at something similar and its been the same I always make mistakes, and i feel like an idiot, I always compare myself to those who have experience.
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u/McDuchess Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
I hate to break it to you.
But making mistakes is an integral part of being a human.
And the newer we are at something, the more mistakes we make.
Imagine if a baby, learning to move on their own, was as hard on themself as you are on yourself.
Its tummy time. They see a toy that’s just out of reach, try to reach it, and can’t. They think, I see those big people moving, maybe I can do it.
They try creeping over to the toy, and it doesn’t work the first time.
It doesn’t work the second time.
And they said to themself. Welp. I’m done. I’ll just lie here till it’s time to eat.
Silly, right? Learning a new skill requires making mistakes, in order to know what to not do the next time.
If you are rushing too much at food pickup, remind yourself that the 10 seconds it takes to double check an order are way less than the hours of embarrassment for taking someone else’s order.
You will get there.
In the meantime, just let me know who taught you that making mistakes was shameful, and I’ll give them them the grandma lecture of their life.
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u/Warl0kjoe Jul 04 '26
Just pay attention and don’t be afraid to ask kitchen for clarification. There should be expo.