A waiter revealed how it can be ‘cruel to be kind’ to serving staff. While you may think you’re helping hospitality workers by tidying up your table, you could actually be doing more harm than good.
Even though stacking crockery or handing over plates can be helpful, there’s one habit that definitely isn’t. The anonymous catering guru took to TikTok to explain more. He said his biggest pet peeve is when diners stuff all their leftover rubbish into cups.
While it may seem helpful, it actually makes table clearing more difficult. The debris tends to stick to the sides of the cup, presenting more of a challenge to dispose of than if it were simply left alone.
The Spanish man said: “Let’s see if with this video we manage to change some things. I know you don’t do it to annoy us, but to help us, or to keep the table clean, but look at this.”
“You put all these things inside the cup. I’ll never understand if it’s to help us or if it’s just a habit. Please, if you want to help the waiters, the best thing to do is to leave it in the saucer or plate, so we go to the kitchen and throw it away without any problems.
“You save us the trouble of having to take out all the little pieces of paper and then throw them in the bin and wash it. This helps waiters a lot. Thanks!”
Following his plea to the public, many took to the comments section to confess they had no idea they were annoying waitstaff. One wrote: “I do it to make everything look clean and tidy.”
Another was candid, admitting: “I do it at home as well.” Yet, another commentator promised change and vowed: “I will never do it again!”