Rant of the Day -- Why Don't Waiters and Waitresses Write Orders Down Anymore?

Over the last few years, waiters are writing down my orders less and less. I have seen a corresponding increase in something being wrong with my order. Recently, I ordered a cheddar cheese omelete and I was served a feta cheese omelete. Who made mistake, the waiter or the chef? I place the blame on the waiters.

I first thought it was waiter etiquette to try to memorize orders as opposed to writing it down but I have been unable to find any etiquette expert who says this is the appropriate approach. Then I was thinking that they were trying to impress the customers by memorizing orders. Nowadays, we have a bunch of people customizing orders which make it a challenge to get the orders right.

Do restaurants think it is more classy or high brow for waiters to memorize orders as opposed to writing them down like a waiter would do in a diner. Maybe it looks better but it is a lousy experience when a customer is served the wrong dish.

The most important part of this process is that the restaurant patron being served the correct food in the appropriate fashion. If a restaurant can not get this done, anything else is unimpressive and not enhancing the meal.

My advice is for waiters to take a moment and write down what their customers want. It is not hard and your customers can actually receive what they ordered. I would think that the waiters’ interest would be aligned with their customers. And in this way, they can improve their tips.

My rant ends with this. Respect your customers and make sure that they get what they order!!