A Waitress Confession: We Hate Your Coffee Cup!

Your coffee cup or hot tea cup is your prized possession that you, as the customer, think we, the waitstaff, are ignoring. You're plan of revenge is to withhold our tip. Most of us would say, OK... do that! And here's why.

As you were seated, by yourself, my hostess also sat a 6 top (6 people at another table I am responsible for). Until you have waited tables, you have no idea that between the time we spend at our tables, we are also doing other responsibilites in the kitchen area that we refer to side work. Side work keeps the restaurant running on an even keel.

The order in which I have to wait on my two tables is with you being first. I will approach your table for your drink order, make small talk, and retreat to the kitchen. On my retreat I will tell my 6 top that I will be right with them.

You have ordered coffee! This has already thrown me off my routine. I have to get a coffee cup and saucer, a spoon, and creamer. Regular drinks or tea require me to only grab a glass, throw ice in it, and pour a drink in it. I walk slower with coffee so now I've lost a good 3 minutes dealing with your itsy bitsy coffee cup. And I hope the waitress gods are with me if you order hot tea, because now you've cost me another 2 minutes in getting the little hot water pitcher, hot water, and a darn tea bag!

I am now 5 minutes into your coffee cup as I return to your table and serve it. The look on the faces of my 6 top are of annoyance because I'm not at their table just yet.

I have to hurry through getting your order because your coffee has already cost me 5 minutes. You think I'm being abrupt and have already started devising your plan to withhold my tip.

I take your order and I'm off to my 6 top. I apologize to them, for something that wasn't my fault, and take their drink order. On my way back to the kitchen to put in their drink order, I realize your itsy bitsy coffee cup is already empty. Sorry, I think, I must get the drinks to the 6 top. I fix their drinks and put your order in. I then deliver the 6 tops drinks to their table and take their order.

As I return to the kitchen, you stop me and inquire about your coffee cup! I assure you I will be right back. I go to the kitchen, put in the order for the 6 top, get their salads ready, and finally return with your coffee or hot water/ tea bag and your salad.

Everytime I pass your table I am looking at that cup trying to figure out time to refill for you. I truly am. However; I must get to the kitchen and tray food or do side work.

When everyone's food has been served and the round of drink refills start, your coffee cup will be on the list. However; you should expect delays up until the time your food is placed in front of you.

The unfortunate truth is that a normal drink, in a normal size glass, is a normal routine for the waitstaff. People typically drink at the same rate, which makes refills very easy and very routine. A coffee cup is an endless refill endeavor for us.

And the last unfortunate truth is that your bill might be $10 which equates to a tip of $1.50 or $2.00 if we are lucky. The 6 top's bill is probably going to be at least $60 with a tip of most likely $9-$15. Your coffee cup is just not that important to us. We will try to accommodate but it won't be a priority.

Some waiters and waitresses will disagree with me on the surface but deep down, they too, know I'm telling you the truth. My advice to coffee drinkers is to save the coffee for after meals or wait until you get home.