How to Deal with Rude Customers as a Waiter

As a server in a restaurant, you're likely to come across rude customers at least once in awhile. They'll make unreasonable demands or make disrespectful comments for seemingly no reason. As a server, you'll have to learn how to deal with it in order to keep your job and sanity intact.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Check your temper. Even though you may fume inside about rude customers, you have to stay in control of the situation. Take a deep breath before you proceed.

2. Paste a smile on your face. No matter how rude a customer gets, always smile. You'll send out a message that they're not getting to you and this may make them back off.

3. Appease them with promises, even if they're false. When you're a server, you have no control over how long food takes or how fast the bartender makes the drinks. Let them know you're on top of everything and promise to give a status update.

4. Ignore the rude comments. You can choose not to respond to a comment a rude customer makes. Leave the table and return when the order's ready. If they continue to harass you, ask your manager about switching tables with another server.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't let a rude customer cross the line without reporting it. If the customer gets overly offensive or makes racist or sexist remarks, let your manager know about the situation.
• Don't spit in the food of a rude customer. You'll get some satisfaction, but you can get in big trouble if found out.

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