on being a waiter  

I definitely agree with that. I always tip at -least- 20%, even when I'm ordering in food at work or something like that. The people that do deliveries, which I know from friends who make deliveries for food make similar wages.

My hats are off to you, because while I do lots of customer service, I don't think I could ever handle waitressing. Nope. It would be a little too tough, I think. Most of my angry people are on the phone.

ps;; I love cracker barrel <3

I love cracker barrel very much, just haven't been in a long time. I always take care of my wait staff because I have had heard many horror stories from friends who are in the profession.

Have you noticed if you are still getting the same amount of guests due to the economy?

Also, one reason we don't frequent our local cracker barrel (Bel Air, MD) as much is because the portions are smaller. Now when we hit North and South Carolina the plates are full of food. I wonder why that is?

My favorite is the hash brown casserole, I could eat a plate of it!!

I used to be a waiter just like you, and this is the first job I did. In my country, China, waiter is the lowest level job with few salary. I still remembered that I only can get approximately USD 43.00 per month and nobody gave me tips. I had to work 6.5 hours per day and 6.5 days per week. According to China's law, people only work 40 hours per week, but I and other colleagues worked for 42.25 hours. The extra 2.25 hours was without any pay. You must not believe what I said here, but it is true. That was in 1999. Even nearly 10 years past, the salary does not increase significantly. It is roughly USD 115.00 per month that a waiter can be paid now. However, our current expense level for a comman citizen in a month should be over this price. So, if waiter can receive your tips, that would be better. And it deserve you to pay, because when you sitting in a restaurant, the waiter will serve for you continously. If you have chance to travel in China, don't forget to give the tips for those people working in a service industry, because the people in this industry is paid less!

I agree with everything you say here. Now I do have to add on that if the service is not good than I am not going to give a tip for shabby service. I tip according to the service. If I get excellent than I tip a excellent tip. If I get good service than I tip good and if I get lousy service than I don't tip at all. I am not one of those people that just sit around for hours. I eat my meal and leave. I was a waitress awhile back and I always gave very good service. A waitress that gives me a excellent service will get better than the 20%.

i understand the hardship of being a waiter.unfortunately,lots of people do not understand you the way i do.you can just settle to being a waiter,or get out of there.however,in the meantime when you are there,just try to get along and be as friendly as possible.by being so friendly,people will like you,and tips will come in.you also have to work hard for the tips.