'Fine, I'll Book My Own Table Then' : Petty Customer Claps Back At Hostess Who ‘Smiles Rudely’ at Him, Controversy Ensues In the Comments

As someone who has worked in a lot of different customer service jobs, whether it be a hostess, server, supervisor, secretary, etc… I know how tough and demanding it can be. The customer is almost never aware of what goes on behind the scenes, and why exactly they can't always have their way. In addition, a lot of people are under the assumption that a facility, store, restaurant, etc — are out to get them. As if we have some kind of personal vendetta against them specifically. They cannot fathom that it may in fact, not be personal. Can it get personal? Certainly, but we're not usually going out on a limb to treat someone unfairly.

As someone who works at the forefront of a facility, let's take a restaurant as an example — you must be polite, professional, and as the managers always like to say: ‘Beaming from ear to ear as if your life depends on it’. In short, you are the ‘face’ of the establishment, and you must act as such. Since this specific post is about a hostess, let's zoom into that for a sec. 

There are so many different things to consider when working at a restaurant as a hostess. Firstly, you have a manager, who is always running to and fro to let you know what the situation is like inside. If you can take more customers, if so how many, how many tables are free and how many people should be seated at them to maximize profit, how long the wait for the food is gonna be, if you are still able to take reservations, etc. More often than not, the hostess is simply taking instructions from somebody else. 

Anybody who is working at a restaurant, especially during rush hour — is gonna ‘smile’. But often, it's not a real smile (understandably) and inwardly they are screaming at themselves and reciting their ‘To Do List'. As a server, it may go as follows: Table 4 needs more ketchup, Table 7 is waving because they asked for a cocktail about 10 minutes ago and the barman still hasn't done it, Table 10 are (rightfully) angry that their food is taking a half hour even though they only ordered a burger and fries… 

As a hostess, it may go as such: Why didn't the Miller reservation of 4 show up? Can I give away their table? Why is Table 6 sitting for 3 hours over 3 sodas and when can I politely tell them to get TFO so that I can give the table to someone else? I see that the food is taking forever, why are we still letting customers in? Where is the manager? Why is the manager doing the opposite of what he told me to do? And it goes on…

So, while scrolling through Reddit, I happened upon a post that made me pause and think for a moment. I can understand both sides of the situation. Have a look for yourself.

A few things are happening here. Firstly, the hostess may have been told by the manager that a table of 5 didn't show up and so that table was free, and to let them in. That is entirely possible and happens A LOT more than you'd think. But… the issue is, the hostess didn't communicate properly. It's obvious that there are people standing behind the group of 5 who may have heard about the situation, and gotten the wrong impression. Point is? COMMUNICATE, LADY. 

And we all know that managers say one thing, but when the customer (or potential customer) comes and complains, the tables turn and they may do the exact opposite, leaving the hostess, server, or bartender looking utterly petty and stupid. The people who commented on the post were a bit conflicted. Scroll down to read the controversy.