stupid servers in stupid restaurants

Yakima 728
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Don't most restaurants have a pre-defined 'domestic' and 'import' list? Did this particular restaurant take menu listing advice from her brother? Just askin'....
 
DunklesWeissbier said:
Doing her job?
If I told my customers that my product was "imported" when it is clearly stamped on it "Made in the USA", they would never buy anything from me and I would be out of a job.
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Lets try it another way...
Pretend you are a Mercedes mechanic who is working on your brother's car. Do you go to your local big box parts store and belittle the high school kid behind the counter or are you going to do your homework and find what you need without his help?

I guarantee that little chippy who served the OP is telling the story about the ********* at table 20 who thinks he knows everything about beer.
 
It's times like that I just have water. I'm trying to save money if I go out to eat and waiting to have a beer at home is cheaper, and safer if I have too many.
 
So they have BOTH kinds of beer.... Bud and Bud Light... :)

its not only the servers... I have seen it listed that way on the menu
 
The bar I work at has an import/microbrewer special on thursdays (the only real micro we have is abita). My favorite question that has been asked me was how small are the microbrew bottles..... Lmao.. :)
:cheers:
 
A buddy of mine once asked a waitress if the ham was kosher; she actually thought about it (or at least appeared to think) and answered "ya, I think so." Some people are just terminally stupid.
 
I agree with the frustration that 'domestic' means crappy. I had that at a bar a while ago where the bartender told me when I walked in that domestics were on special. I asked if DFH was on special too, and she looked at me like I had horns growing out of my head and said that DFH was a 'premium' beer. At least she didn't say import.
 
Homercidal said:
No, I know it's not her fault. The manager said they change beer so much that it woudl be "impossible" to keep a list updated all the time...


How hard would it be to have a whiteboard near the entrance with the current craft beers on tap list?
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By "impossible", he meant "I'm too lazy to do something like that." There's a pub that opened in my town at the end of last summer, catering to the craft beer market. They not only have brand new beer lists every day, one for taps and another for bottles, they update their FB page and website EVERY TIME they change a beer. All it takes is a little effort...which just might be asking too much.

TwoFortySX said:
I was thinking the same thing. Just because you have more knowledge in a certain area than another individual does not mean that you have to correct the world one waitress at a time....
You just wanted to feel cool and get a "that a boy" from a bunch of strangers on the internet for ridiculing a waitress who was doing her job.
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So you think that he should just let her go on being misinformed, and subsequently misinforming others?
She's a waitress. Knowing about the beer that she serves, as well as the food, is a large part of her job! Not knowing the definition of "imported" is a sign that A) she's an idiot, B) the school system she went through is horrible, or C) (what seems like the most likely choice) she just doesn't give a damn about doing her job properly.


This thread is a testament to the amount of beer snobbery that some people have on this board. Its a reason that I find myself having a lot of trouble connecting with some people in the homebrewing community.
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I don't think it has anything to do with "beer snobbery." It has to do with expecting someone to know their job. Period.
 
northernlad said:
What I want to know is if the OP feels better after attempting to belittle the server.
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Absolutely. I woke up that morning and said, "Dammit, I want to make a teenage girl cry today. What can I do?" I have to say, she held up well. I was kinda pissed she didn't shed a single tear!

Wasn't attempting to belittle her. I know she didn't choose which category her restaurant places beer into. Was attempting to inject some customer frustration into something this restaurant (which I happen to like) does that is clearly wrong. But to seriously answer your question, do I feel better having said something to her? Absolutely. If we sit back and let mistakes continue (even innocent, doesn't really matter ones) we are part of the problem.

TwoFortySX said:
You went home and vented on an internet forum hours after the incident and the girl forgot you and everything you said the minute you walked out of the door. I'm sure creating this thread was all in fun and you did not mean nothing by it. You just wanted to feel cool and get a "that a boy" from a bunch of strangers on the internet for ridiculing a waitress who was doing her job.
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The thread was created because what she said was so surreal. I've had this happen to me dozens of times, but I've never written about it before. Why now? What she said was classic. It was, quite possibly, my favorite spoken paragraph of the month. It amused me and I thought that others who are serious about beer would get a kick out of it. And sure, if you can't get a little anonymous self-validation and good natured chuckles on the net, why use it at all.

TwoFortySX said:
This thread is a testament to the amount of beer snobbery that some people have on this board. Its a reason that I find myself having a lot of trouble connecting with some people in the homebrewing community.
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Right. It's the beer snobbery why you don't connect. It has nothing to do with you going all holier than thou in a post clearly meant for humor.

northernlad said:
I guarantee that little chippy who served the OP is telling the story about the ********* at table 20 who thinks he knows everything about beer.
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A) If she did, she had a right to her opinion
B) She didn't think think that way at all. There was only the normal amount of spit in my meal.
C) I never said anything most normal people don't know. Labatt says "Canadian lager" on the damn bottle!

Bottom line is this. You can say, "she's just doing her job" and cut her a break because she doesn't know beer. I won't cut her a break. She was a sweet girl, sure. But her job is to take orders, see if I need anything, make suggestions, and know her product line to answer customer questions. She obviously doesn't know her product. If she had said, "yeah, the categories are stupid/wrong/funny but that's the way it is," it would be done. Almost every other server ive had in that same situation has handled it that way. But instead, she tells me I'm wrong because I don't know what a word means. To a small extent, that irked me as a customer (but I'm not one who feels the customer is always/usually right, so no big deal there). To a larger one, her explanation didn't even make sense!

But as I said she was sweet, she was nice, we joked at the table, she got a nice tip. I don't hate her. I don't pity her. She just said some funny **** and that's that.
 
i'm with the op. its not like he said, "fix it you stupid *****!" or anything. and i don't think it has anything to do with beer snobbery either. more word usage that happens to be about beer. if its from america, then its not imported (beer, wine, cheeto's... whatever). besides all of that he posted it in the drunken ramblings section. i think posting here gives him the right to ***** about whatever he wants.

i vote we start using the term "reverse snobbery" where people get all snobby and tell you that your a snob.
 
rycov said:
i'm with the op. its not like he said, "fix it you stupid *****!" or anything. and i don't think it has anything to do with beer snobbery either. more word usage that happens to be about beer. if its from america, then its not imported (beer, wine, cheeto's... whatever). besides all of that he posted it in the drunken ramblings section. i think posting here gives him the right to ***** about whatever he wants.

i vote we start using the term "reverse snobbery" where people get all snobby and tell you that your a snob.
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Agreed, but we have to find a better term than 'reverse snobbery'. It's not creative and snobbish enough.
 
TwoFortySX said:
I was thinking the same thing. Just because you have more knowledge in a certain area than another individual does not mean that you have to correct the world one waitress at a time. You went home and vented on an internet forum hours after the incident and the girl forgot you and everything you said the minute you walked out of the door. I'm sure creating this thread was all in fun and you did not mean nothing by it. You just wanted to feel cool and get a "that a boy" from a bunch of strangers on the internet for ridiculing a waitress who was doing her job.

This thread is a testament to the amount of beer snobbery that some people have on this board. Its a reason that I find myself having a lot of trouble connecting with some people in the homebrewing community.
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I honestly don't see any "beer snobbery" in the OP's post. It might be a little snarky to expect a young waitress to understand what the word import means, but it has no relationship to feeling like he has superior beer knowledge or tastes.

The actual answer we'd like to hear is "I know they are not really imports but the restaurant pays more for some beers and needs to charge a slightly higher price for them. Most people have come to accept that imported beers cost more so we generically label these premium beers as imports to avoid confusion. I know it's silly but I'm not in a position to argue with management over it. Would you like to order something or should I spit directly into your mouth?" Ok, maybe not that last part.
 
I was in a Spaghetti Warehouse. The special was clearly wriiten to "Buy any domestic brewed beer on draft for $3.00 and you keep the glass".

I ordered two beers. A Coop Ale Works 'Native Amber' and Samuel Adams 'Boston Lager'. I eat my lunch, I drink my beer, I collect my check and I see that I was charged nearly $9.00 for the two beers.

Oh Hell No.

The Manager explained that those beers are on the Premium Import list to which i explained that Coop Ale Works is located at 50th and Western a mere 3 to 4 miles away from this restaurant, and that Sam Adams, made by Boston Beer Company was brewed at one of two locations in either Boston Massachusets or in Breningville Pennsylvania. I further commented that I have traveled to both Massachusettes and to Pennsylvania and neither required the use of a passport nor did my possession have to pass customs.

Then I asked "What quilification of Domestic Brewed do these two not meet?"

I was only charged $6.00 for the beers, and they brought me two clean glasses to take home.

The next time I went to that restaurant the offer was still there, but the menu had changed to show a category for "Domestic Craft" and the offer had a disclaimer to include only those products from AB-Inbev, Miller, or Coors breweries.

So, naturally, I ordered was later to become a $3.00, with a free glass, Blue Moon. :rockin:
 
cimirie said:
Right. It's the beer snobbery why you don't connect. It has nothing to do with you going all holier than thou in a post clearly meant for humor.
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I think its pretty humorous that you want to call me holier than thou but yet you felt the need to preach your beer loving gospel to a server at a restaurant then post about it on a web forum. :D
 
Would anybody sit there and say nothing if the waitress began explaining what part of the pig a hamburger came from?
 
pksmitty said:
Would anybody sit there and say nothing if the waitress began explaining what part of the pig a hamburger came from?
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I do not think that I would worry if the waitress thought beef came from a pig but I would worry if the cook thought that.
 
Fer chrissakes, this is the drunken ramblings and mindless mumblings section. It is for exactly this kind of thing. It's not like it was posted in a beer thread.

I'm gonna go out now and punch a teenage girl. See what you guys made me do!? It's all your fault! ;)
 
It's all about varying expectations. I think it condescending to suggest a mere restaurant server shouldn't have to know definitions of actual common words in the English language.
Afterall, if they were THAT smart, they wouldn't be a waitress right?
 
GilaMinumBeer said:
I was in a Spaghetti Warehouse. The special was clearly wriiten to "Buy any domestic brewed beer on draft for $3.00 and you keep the glass".

I ordered two beers. A Coop Ale Works 'Native Amber' and Samuel Adams 'Boston Lager'. I eat my lunch, I drink my beer, I collect my check and I see that I was charged nearly $9.00 for the two beers.

Oh Hell No.

The Manager explained that those beers are on the Premium Import list to which i explained that Coop Ale Works is located at 50th and Western a mere 3 to 4 miles away from this restaurant, and that Sam Adams, made by Boston Beer Company was brewed at one of two locations in either Boston Massachusets or in Breningville Pennsylvania. I further commented that I have traveled to both Massachusettes and to Pennsylvania and neither required the use of a passport nor did my possession have to pass customs.

Then I asked "What quilification of Domestic Brewed do these two not meet?"

I was only charged $6.00 for the beers, and they brought me two clean glasses to take home.

The next time I went to that restaurant the offer was still there, but the menu had changed to show a category for "Domestic Craft" and the offer had a disclaimer to include only those products from AB-Inbev, Miller, or Coors breweries.

So, naturally, I ordered was later to become a $3.00, with a free glass, Blue Moon. :rockin:
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That's where I would have an issue as well. False advertising is something I can't abide.
 
Around here, "import" generally does mean import. Of course that's usually a choice between Corona, Negra Modelo, Tecate, Dos Equis, and sometimes Bohemia. And maybe Heineken. If it's a non-Latin American "ethnic" restaurant there will be a token beer or two ostensibly from that country.

Although for example Kirin is priced as an import even though I know it's made right here in LA by AB-InBev.
 
Ya know, I haven't put anyone on my "Ignore" list in at least two years, yet there are a couple of folks in this thread who have earned that special distinction. The inability to appreciate a humorous -- and teachable -- moment combined with assholier than thou self righteousness made me go hunting for buttons I'd forgotten how to use. Congratulations!
 
I had a nice conversation with a barmaid at the hotel in Boston about it when she told me Sam Adams was an import.

Um, Sam Adams is made a few blocks from here.
Yeah I know, but they tell us to sell it that way, though most people never mention it
 
assholier than thou. yes! (am i on the list?) what does the ignore button do? sounds awsome
 
Chad said:
Ya know, I haven't put anyone on my "Ignore" list in at least two years, yet there are a couple of folks in this thread who have earned that special distinction. The inability to appreciate a humorous -- and teachable -- moment combined with assholier than thou self righteousness made me go hunting for buttons I'd forgotten how to use. Congratulations!
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Wow, really? Ever venture into the Debate Forums??
 
Chad said:
Ya know, I haven't put anyone on my "Ignore" list in at least two years, yet there are a couple of folks in this thread who have earned that special distinction. The inability to appreciate a humorous -- and teachable -- moment combined with assholier than thou self righteousness made me go hunting for buttons I'd forgotten how to use. Congratulations!
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I am actually dumbfounded at this, almost laughingly shocked to be honest. Is this guy really going to put me on his ignore list because we have differing opinions in an off-topic anything goes except porn sub category of this forum? I have known people to get sand in their vagina when they are personal victimized in these threads but this takes the cake for me.

I would like to say congratulations to your Mr. "Chad". Taking a shot at me, making sure to inform the community that you are ignoring then going ahead and ignoring me. Apparently, you have a less then good grasp of the definition of self righteous so I will help.

Self-righteous means confident of one's own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.


So you are ignoring me for a differing opinion and my behavior within this thread. I like to point out that this closely resembles the definition that I just provided.

I am sure someone will so kindly quote this so you can see it. :mug:
 
If I owned a bar or restaurant I would properly catagorize the beer. Its not about being a beer snob its about properly labeling and being a professional. If they want to charge 2 bucks more for Sam Adams then they should classify it as Premium not falsely as an import. To call something an import that isnt not only is wrong but just poor form.

Have some respect for beer. You wouldn't call a merlot a chardonnay. Wine people would call you out on it in a heartbeat and even tell you to take it back. Just as beer guys should call them out on the false import labelling. As homebrewers we should be proud of beer and help share both our knowledge and love for all beer! HIPHIP HOORRAYY!
 
Laughing_Gnome_Invisible said:
Drink at Hooters. Beer knowledge redundant. :mug:
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+1 It's not so much about the beer at that point. Although I don't think my wife will be going back after she heard that the waitress came and sat down at our booth to chat with us when my FIL and I went there.

I could choke down just about any beer at that place. I swear to God I could! </Donny Baker>
 
The only thing more stupid than the stupid servers in stupid restaurants are the stupid people that ignore the stupidity and enable the stupid servers in stupid restaurants to continue to be stupid!

Stupid! :drunk:
 
cricky101 said:
I always just hear "import" to mean "more expensive." In St. Paul, Summit Pale Ale (brewed right here) is an "import" at some restaurants.
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Beers from Holy Mackerel and Key West pass as imports in most bars here. I can understand the Holy Mackerel but when a beer says the actually city in the name it's ridiculous.
 

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