The Waiter Rule

Apparently, many CEO's have an interesting test for determining the fitness of people for executive positions that would be useful in organizations across the board. The test is called "The Waiter Rule" and the rule is very simple--the character of people can be determined by how one treats waiters in a restaurant. Anyone can be nice to those who have power, but it is how we treat others who we can be seen as having some control over (for example, waiters are the most common types of "servants" most people deal with in their regular lives, though it would also apply to security guards, maids, and so forth).

As someone who frequently dines alone, I personally enjoy establishing a repoire with the waiters or waitresses at restaurants. Being a somewhat habitual person, I tend to eat at the same places often, so long as their food and service is consistent and decent. I've never been a waiter myself (the thought of my clumsiness being subjected to remarkable feats of balance with plates, glasses, and trays is a less than appealing thought), but I have a lot of friends and family who have been waitresses. Mostly, it seems as if the experience is generally poor.

I know that as a customer into a restaurant for the first time, generally as a young man with a somewhat intent and serious look on the face eating alone, many restaurant staffs tend to be somewhat skeptical. There are many times where my initial service has been somewhat indifferent, but I resolved to tip well anyway merely to prove a point. I am more interested in establishing rather friendly relations with waiters at restaurants, rather than pitilessly enforcing a just standard of renumeration. After all, I figure (generally correctly) that if waiters and waitresses do not have to fear that I will stiff them on tips, they will serve me very well. This has proven to be the case most of the time, as I can engage in somewhat witty banter about my favorite dishes on the menu, and why I order the same thing so often.

A friend of mine has an interesting rule when it comes to tips himself, and it is one well worth considering. Average service merits the regular 15% tip, good service merits 25%, and really good service gets a minimum tip of $3, regardless of the price of the meal. Personally, I think such rules of thought demonstrating generosity are a major positive incentive towards servers. In general, I consider positive reinforcements to be better than merely negative punishments. That is, however, another rather large subject for another time.

The point here, though, is that the way we treat waiters reveals a lot about ourselves. The Bible is very clear on this point (and the Passover season is a good time to reflect upon on it) as well, in agreement. God shows no partiality (that is, favorable treatment merely to those who are powerful), and neither should we. We should treat everyone with respect, honor, and consideration. This respect should not come from merely an egoism that looks for personal benefit, but from a mindframe than all human beings are worthy of dignity and kindness, and that station has no importance when it comes to human decency. This is the Bible's clear doctrine, as difficult as it may be to put into practice.

It is especially important (and difficult) to maintain this sort of friendliness and goodwill when mistakes happen, as they inevitably do. For example, the salad one orders at a restaurant one is visiting for the first time may have ingredients one does not like, or cannot eat (is that mango salsa?). Or there may be accidents, or the server may make mistakes. Occasionally, servers may be inattentive, distracted, or busy (it happens to the best of us sometimes), and the glass of sweet tea or root beer may run a little dry. How we handle difficult situations reveals a lot about our character. A wry comment or soft word can make things much easier for all around, even if soft words do not come easily for some of us.

So, how do you treat waiters? How many of you have been waiters before? Or are you, like me, merely a frequent patron of restaurants and a (hopefully) patient one? I would be interested in hearing what people have to say about the food service industry. With so many jobs in service right now (customer service would also fall under this rule as well), it is sad that such jobs are so difficult because of the rude behavior of others. Hopefully that cannot be said about any of us. After all, respect for the lowest of society is one of the most important signals of fitness for the highest reaches of society, both now and hereafter.