Alright. I know that when you go into a restaurant some of the tables look nicer, are in better locations etc etc then others. But when you’re a regular, does that give you some sort of table stealing power? No. But the locals have got it in their head that they do sometimes. Even the non locals.

What the heck was that ramble about, you ask? Well, let me tell you. Busgirls aren’t usually busy. The waitresses and kitchen staff are running around like crazy and we busgirls just bring menus and clean up the mess left behind. No big deal. But today I was going straight for 2 hours. Why? Because people SIT AT THE DIRTY TABLES. Why!? I can’t imagine I’ve ever done this. Usually if I see a table that I’d normally prefer is dirty, I’ll settle for something else, as long as it has been cleaned and set, because quite frankly, I don’t want to sit in front of someone else’s mess. I never even considered what a pain it would be for those working.

But yes, it is a pain! A big one!

We have these four popular square tables in front of the front windows. They comfortably seat two although can be set for four (and I’ve even seen a fifth person join, although I woulda kicked her had I not been afraid of being unemployed). They are always the first tables to fill up, one is hidden behind the wall and next to the fireplace which is usually the most popular. Being hidden presents its own problem, since we can’t see who’s there if they snuck in without someone noticing, or if they left without me noticing. But yeah, these tables are megapopular, people will actually stand around waiting for these tables to empty before sitting down. They aren’t that fantastic! The chairs are all the same hard plastic/wood combo. You can see out the window from across the dining room!

But whatever. So these tables are paradise to hungry Pubnicoers. Imagine you are said Pubnicoer. You walk into a restaurant with 16 odd tables available to you. What one do you take? The one dirty table, which happens to be one of the Paradise Four. So I’m running around, trying to clean the tables and set all the people that just came in, but I have to drop everything to clean that ONE table because people are sitting at it. There were at least ten other tables in the restaurant with no one sitting at them and already set.

So do your waitresses and busgirls a favor and sit at clean tables. Not only does it offset the time balance for serving people as they come in, and aggravate people who are waiting for menus, but it’s easier to clean a table without worrying about stepping on customers’ feet while trying to reach the the opposite end of the table with the washcloth. Oh, and tip well. Minimum wage isn’t a whole heckuva lot.