Indiana server says table was waiting 40 minutes for their food. So she takes matters into her own hands: ‘I really shouldn’t be saying this’

There are many things out of a server’s control and kitchen delays are one of them. When the establishment is packed, customers seem to forget this as their appetites grow impatient, and frustration simmers. One server dishes on how she handles these famished patrons by giving them a taste of old-fashioned honesty.

As she sits in her car at night, Indiana server Kalina (@kalinaisabella) offers a disclaimer, “I’m not saying you should do what I do. I’m saying what I do works.” Then, she dives into her story.

How Did This Server Deal with Hungry Guests?

“There were people that were waiting forever on their tables, there were people at tables waiting forever to get their food. The kitchen is working as fast as they can, and it’s just not enough,” she says. “Everybody’s stressed. Everybody’s [expletive] off.”

However, a specific angry male customer expressed his annoyance numerous times. Once he called her again, he was at his wit’s end.

“We have half a mind right now to just get up and walk up out of here,” she recalls the man threatening.

Instead of convincing him to stay, the content creator pulled a UNO reverse.

“I shouldn’t be saying this considering I work here, but if I were you, that’s exactly what I would do,” Kalina tells him. “You’re probably starving. Who knows when the food will come out? If I were you, I’d just leave.”

After a bit of reassurance, that was exactly what the couple did. Not only did this gesture alleviate stress for the couple but also for the food runner.

“‘Well, that actually helped out a lot,’” she remembers the food runner saying. 

Viewers Share Their Approval

Kalina’s video garnered over 292,000 views, and customers alike preferred and appreciated her candor.

“On behalf of [bi–y] impatient people everywhere: Thank you!” one viewer praised.

“As a customer I would rather the establishment be up front if there are issues or time delays. Why make me suffer and make me angry[?]” another stated.

Moreover, other servers resonated, claiming they also resort to this tactic.

“I also do this and just comp the drinks. 50% of the time the table will give me a couple bucks just because I comped their drinks and agreed with them that the wait times are out of control,” one viewer shared.

“I used to do this all the time LMAO. Sometimes they would slide me cash for being unexpectedly honest,” another commented.

“I’m always so honest with my tables. Idc [if it] benefits me. I don’t really care if ‘I’m not supposed to,’” a third agreed.

How Long Is Too Long For Customers To Wait?

There is pressure on employees to please customers and get their needs taken care of pronto, especially during rushes. Of course, this can be difficult due to the bombardment of overflowing orders and miscommunication between both front- and back-of-house workers, which can easily cause hiccups in the system. While stress levels are off the charts, so are customers’ patience.

According to a Toast survey, 72% of customers will wait 30 minutes for their meal before calling it quits. The survey also breaks this down by age, revealing that customers aged 45-54 (less than 2%) were less likely to wait more than an hour for a table, while younger customers aged 25-35 (11%) were more likely to wait.

Therefore, a server having clear, open communication about food wait times is vital to gaining customers’ trust and gratitude.

@kalinaisabella #servertiktok #serverproblems #serverstories #bartenderlife #comedy ♬ original sound – kalinaisabella

The Mary Sue reached out to Kalina via email and TikTok comment.

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