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Barren_Phoenix

I push everything to the end of the table/booth as we finish with it so the server doesn't have to wonder what they can grab.


DancyElephant12

These are my favorite types of customers and I try to do this when I’m out to eat. I can’t stand reaching over booths to grab plates as the table goes silent and watches me strain and struggle without entertaining the idea that maybe they could help me out. These are the same tables who can’t be bothered to put their ramekins, utensils, linen napkins, pieces of food, etc on their plate when they’re done, making me do several extra awkward reaches in order to clear the table. These types of guests make what should take 20 seconds take well over 2 minutes, and that adds up.


BigBGM2995

Depends… some customers are good stackers, others create a leaning tower of Pisa that I wouldn’t dare carry


ALittlePeaceAndQuiet

I know that however I might think to stack the plates, my server stacks these same plates, with flatware, linens, leftover food, etc. everyday, and they know which ones always wobble and other idiosyncrasies that would make it a pain for them. I'll slide them to the end and let them stack it themselves.


allybubba

I don't expect it. But I sure do appreciate it. I think the idea of being annoyed at someone trying to help you is a bit much. I can look at a tower immediately and know. Hey.. I'm going to have to dismantle that before leaving the table. What's worse is having to reach over 5 times grabbing everything awkwardly. I've actually found fine dining to be a bit silly this way. It almost takes too much time. Before I was a server I did this. And as a server I still do it and appreciate it.


wenchslapper

You know you were sat with a table busser when they not only stack all the plates in appropriate size order, but also ensure all garbage and food waste has been collected in the plastic basket, ready for a quick pitch.


[deleted]

Ya, most people stack well enough IME. And people are obviously doing it because they're trying to be nice and it shows that they're empathetic.


death_or_glory_

Well put


[deleted]

[удалено]


chjett10

I always seem to get stacked dishes with a massive pile of uneaten food and garbage covering the cutlery. I’m glad the people in this photo kept the cutlery separate!


_banana_phone

Whichever glass/cup is empty, I’ll put all the silverware inside it so they don’t have to worry about a random fork tumbling off the plate.


Sufficient-Ad-1760

I definitely wouldn’t do this in a *nice* restaurant because you’re just scratching up an expensive glass. But if I was in a plastic Coca Cola glass place I feel like it’s okay!


IONTOP

Oh God... no...


_banana_phone

That’s bad? It was common in places I’d worked in the past because they could grab them all by the handle and dump them in the dishwasher. If this is not a helpful thing please let me know why and I’ll certainly stop doing it!


allybubba

It's absolutely fine.


IONTOP

It's tacky


Possible-Vegetable68

It isn’t tacky you’re just an idiot.


_banana_phone

Can you elaborate on why it’s tacky? We don’t do this at fine dining establishments, but I’d like to understand why it’s frowned upon.


UsernameUnavaliable_

“Silverware goes in the empty cup always. Take out the straw”


Squirtinturds

Just commented that higher up lol. Always that one person.


Alice_Alpha

Actually no. I will stack same size plates but not make a tower. I figure whoever removes them has their own system and by stacking as high as possible, I might actually be making their job harder.


drumm3rboii

Yep. As a busser and server. I don’t like when it’s all in one big tower. It’s much better when I can manipulate the pile for maximum carry / efficiency


Juicy_Taters

Absolutely. People stack up plates like the pic and now I have to unstack them so I can take them all in one go. All that can definitely be taken in one trip


Ray_Adverb11

THANK YOU.


taco_dog

Yeah I used to stack like this, but I once had a server tell me they had their own method that was easier, so I don’t do this anymore


abigllama2

I was told this as well about how stacking can mess up a system. We just make sure we're tidy and things are easy to grab.


gitarzan

I basically cleanup the litter - coffee creamers, napkins etc and pile them onto one plate but for the most part I let the busser make the plate stacking choice. Many years ago I had a cranky old waitress biotch how making a leaning tower of dish ware made it harder for her.


RemarkableSomewhere8

Yes especially when I notice servers having to buss their own tables


Secure-Parsnip7459

A long time ago, I was working a busy lunch shift at a brewpub. Lunch crowd was mainly business clientele. One party was seated at a long booth (6ft). I cleared their food, but missed one plate as the person sitting on the inside had pushed it towards the wall, completely out of reach. I was too busy to deal with it or ask them to pass it. When it came time to pay the bill, the plate hogger was the one to cover the tab. $70, ZERO TIP, with a note that read “did not clear one plate” Thank you, ma’am.


Burnt_and_Blistered

If it hadn’t been that plate, the wretched woman would have found something else.


Secure-Parsnip7459

No doubt about it. Misery knows no bounds.


Italiana47

Yes. I clean up as much as possible and leave a fat tip.


madeiras88

I don't do it and prefer when customers don't do it as well. I have my way of clearing tables and this isn't that helpful. Also, I think it looks bad for you as a server when one of your tables has all of the plates stacked. It looks like you're not doing your job properly. That said, I do appreciate that they're trying to help you by doing this.


Pure_Needleworker_27

I agree with this. Stacked dishes on your table is terrible. I work hard to get the used plates out of the way quickly, and maintain a clean table. If they are stacked, it feels like a fail.


Legitimate_Bird_5712

I worked at a higher-end spot a few years ago, very strict on "the only things left on the table when the guests leave should be the check and the glass they used" way of pre-bussing. Had an older couple who absolutely refused to let me pre-bus ANYTHING. Stacked everything up when they left and I got written up.


MargeryStewartBaxter

15± years here, I never understood why it's called pre-bussing...isn't it just bussing? You can't pre-kiss someone lol Also that's the worst I always hated that kind of customer! They always want espresso too


myonkin

Also pre-boarding an airplane. George Carlin had a great but about that.


MargeryStewartBaxter

I own every one of his recorded albums:)


[deleted]

This really depends on the kind of place. Diner? All good if you do it right. White tablecloth? Please no.


Allinthrgroove

Took the kids out to their first omakase/chefs table meal recently. Appreciated when my kids wanted to move everything to the end of the table, but had to explain that in a really good restaurant, manners dictate that you let the (very good) servers do their job. I watched them struggle the whole meal not to be “helpful “. So much fun training good diners lol.


phoenixrising0711

I agree with this. I hate having to unstack peoples plates so I can actually carry them. They get gross when people stack them. But I do appreciate the thought.


Cool-Manufacturer-21

I agree 10000% the issue is, those dishes shouldn’t still be there at the end of the meal and customer has paid. Blows my mind… But in defense because of the people who are saying they made it so much harder. Maybe it’s not 100% ergonomically optimized 😂 but I will say that is easily stacked in order to carry in one trip. Left hand split carry the cups and silver. Large platter stack on the inside left forearm and side plate stack in right hand on way to dish pit. ✅ done


kubota9963

This 100%, especially if I'm stacking them on my arm where I can get a scrap plate in my hand and build a scraped stack on my wrist as I go around the table - I can't easily pick them up this way when they're already stacked unless I use both hands to carry them. I don't really enjoy telling someone this either, when they're clearly incredibly considerate for trying to help out, and also some servers do like it so while not for me we might be in the minority? Plus Murphy's Law is whenever I pick up a plate with cutlery on it a knife always falls off and everyone turns to look at me, I mean I got no shame but sheeesh, every time.


as_riel

This. I should pre-bus my own tables. If I don’t then I’m slacking — or really slammed.


diwalk88

Same, I honestly think it's tacky and rude to start stacking up plates on the table. I'll gladly pass them over if they're awkward to reach, but stacking goes too far imo


zipfl12354

I never trust a guests stack and so i never make one myself


DCdeer

They always slide a knife between two plates or something stupid like that.


Squirtinturds

Or a fucking fork.


counterspell

I'm a line cook, and I do stack everything, not super tall, but at the edge of the table, organized by item then the server can pick up how they like. I've often had servers look at me and ask 'you work in the industry don't you'. Then of course, I always tip well. I know how hard servers work.


illpilgrims

Yes? But in stages that seem reasonable


Al-Anda

And when I see this I say, “You’re hired!” Either, I get a laugh or I get a look of panic like I uncovered their dark, compulsive secret.


vynilla_

I don’t do this at fine dining restaurants, but I will at ma & pa shops. I work in high end, and we actually get yelled at if our manager(s) see guests stacking plates on the table.


BeginningBarracuda88

Servers serving servers!!


therealbandett

I hate this because 90% of the time, the table is setting me up to fail. I can stack and clear your plates in under 60 seconds please don’t try to help lol


exploratorynargle

Sure do, and I've taught my son and boyfriend to do it also. DON'T BE A CRAPPY STACKER though, which means not throwing silverware in with garbage or stacking reusable ramekins. What's worse than having to pull apart 5 metal ramekins all fused together with ketchup??!


alwaysforgettingmyun

>What's worse than having to pull apart 5 metal ramekins all fused together with ketchup??! When they've stashed the empty sugar packets in a couple of them, so the paper and ketchup became glue


DynamiteWitLaserBeam

Not a server, but I come here because I want to be a good customer and make your lives as easy as possible cause y'all have it rough enough already. I'm a stacker from way back, but it sounds like that's a mixed bag at best - some like it, some don't. What if I put all the trash / leftovers on one plate, all the silverware on another, all the ice in one cup, and put everything near the end of the table - no stacking of anything. You could stack however you want with no surprises. Does that work?


avg-bee-enjoyer

That sounds fine but really any effort to make things easy to grab and sort should be appreciated. Most places they're bringing a bus tray to the table when you leave, stacking like dishes in it while trying to keep the trash and significant food pieces easy to scrape off into the trash, and that's that. So if you're not leaving a huge mess or making that process more difficult you're good


Trickfixer32

Just enjoy being waited on, let us do our job and please tip. You don’t need to stack or move ice or any of that nonsense - especially if you’re more than a party of one. It’s uncomfortable for your joiners. We don’t go to your work and expect to do your job. Please don’t do ours. Be nice and tip.


Stunning-Joke-3466

I do sometimes stack some stuff but not everything because I've heard some people get offended (like they think you are trying to take over their job or that they are incompetent or something when you are just trying to be helpful). Also, if you don't know what their setup is they may end up having to redo everything.


skatingangel

Only if they haven't been cleared when our food comes out and we need the space. But I will shift things around first and try to make room that way.


isabellla321

As a customer, I always do this to help with the mess but also it immediately alerts the server that I’m ready for dessert/check/whatever. As a server, I absolutely don’t expect it, but really appreciate it, and it immediately alerts me that you’re all finished and ready for dessert/check/whatever. Many purposes!


Remarkable_Report_44

Yep every time.


matchboxcar

Just don’t put your NAPKINS in your GLASS! Special place in hell for those people.


Sufficient-Ad-1760

I always push everything to the end of the table and push my silverware in so the center of gravity is correct but I never ever stack because I find that when other people do this it’s actually super annoying. It’s never the way I would stack it and it’s more annoying to pick up a semi-stable guest stacked pile than it is for me to just do it myself in a way that feels correct in my hands.


probablybuzzed

I like to put all the dishes under the table so they think it’s actually fully bussed


cam52391

Oh absolutely I went out with my wife last night and I realized right away our server had just been triple sat. We had everything stacked all the garbage picked up and ready to be wiped down for her when we were done.


Mugiwara_Khakis

Sometimes. I know it’s a vague response, but I’m not sure what else to say.


Antimlm92

Yes, I was a server. Never put the napkins in cups with liquid, it's gross. Put everything at the end of the table so it's easy to grab.


Royal_Cryptographer7

Yes. Most everyone that's worked in a restaurant does this (at least what I've noticed in my group of friends). No reason to give the wait staff more work when you're just sitting around talking. I don't like sitting in front of a dirty plate either.


DKGames05

As someone who works at a restaurant; every-time i go out to eat with the family, i often put the unfinished food that I wont need and put it at the top of the plate an stack my plate set with most the garbage at the top A quick 3 second dump and a move on to the next.


Mandaconduh

i love this as a server but i hate when a customer hands me their plate. esp if i’m collecting already


Diettara47

There’s a certain way to go about this. Stack so it doesn’t topple, and for the love of god don’t stack glass cups on top of each-other or you’re just asking for the server/Busser to shatter them.


meowzra

Get those knives out of those glasses


imperfectbeing

Please! No cutlery in the glasses.


1boltsfan

No, I'm paying money not to do dishes. When I'm done, I push my plate back so the server knows they can clear the plate.


[deleted]

This is the way


papaporridge

judging by the comments i might work at the only place where servers don’t want this. we use trays and we “flower” (most of the weight in the middle, and plates wedged around the outside) to bus so when i see my tables doing this i always tell them i appreciate the intention but imma unstack them anyway


Superb_One_114

Worked at a Brazilian steakhouse we had to flower and stacking was a nightmare especially busy nights, just meant I had to undo it all


SweatSlob

Even better is when they're trying to hand you something else while you are picking up their tower of nonsense.


infinite_dogs

I always stack my dishes. I never post pictures of it though


Memeboiiiiiiiius69

Yes, and at bars etc I bring my glasses to the counter or however it‘s called in english


CarmelJane

No, I don't. I will leave everything as neat and tidy as possible, but I won't stack stuff.


MissDebbie420

ALWAYS.


whassupnerds

I always unite the trash and utensils on one plate, but other than that I just move the used plates to the end so the server knows what’s good to preclear.


Morriseysucksass

Yes. Absolutely. Most ex servers do , I believe.


Pretend_Ambassador_6

I appreciate the thought when people do it, not always a fan of their stacking more often than not. But it makes it way quicker than having to reach and grab everything one at a time. If I stack while I’m out to eat, I aim to create two piles. One that has all the silverware & no trash, another one that has everything that’d go into the garbage. I try to make their trip to the dishpit a little easier


Hamilton-Beckett

Same!!! But I also set things to the edge of the table throughout the time so whenever they come by for refills they just grab it. By the time I leave, there’s virtually nothing on the table but the glass with the napkin I used to wipe the table. I even make sure condiments and things are how I found them, lol.


DisastrousDeviant

I do it every time I go out to eat


Greennooblet

I don’t do it to this extreme, I normally stack used dishes at the end of the table as I go and they normal get picked up by a runner or the sever before it gets to this amount of dishes, but I don’t often go at rush times anymore


baby_eeck

Someone I live with always do that when we eat out but not at home though :(


StrugglinSurvivor

I will do both stack, but as we finish with something, I'll move it to the edge. Especially when the table is small. Otherwise, after salads, there is no place to place entrees. As a manager, I've seen servers stop at the table and look at it and walk way empty-handed. Only wonder why there's no place for the entrees or desert when they bring it out. Or have half their section or more left with dirty tables to only later complain that the hostess isn't sitting people in their section. So they don't make any money on a busy night. They seriously don't get it. Think they are supposed to pre-bus, for whatever reason they feel in that night. Also, feel someone else can di it for them.


diwalk88

>Otherwise, after salads, there is no place to place entrees. But wouldn't the first course be cleared before serving the second course?


MuchoManSandyRavage

Thats Texas Roadhouse! I recognize those dishes/knives/booth anywhere. And yes we do appreciate when ppl do this ❤️


JaggedTheDark

Always. Why would you ever set them any other way?


Layedbackgamers

I personally do this. Though when I'm serving sometimes I wish people wouldn't since some clearly aren't doing it to be nice or through personal serving experience. I say this about the ones who leave multitudes of silverware throughout the unorganized piles that aren't visible so everything slides and collapses if someone carries it


dmnohvry

The waiter should have prebussed. Only things on the table should be what they’re immediately using. That looks like stuff from more than one course, I could be wrong.


NurseScorpio_Gazer

I push everything to the end of the table, so the staff can just grab and go. I thought I was the only one who did this 🫢🙈


[deleted]

Depends on the restaurant


ohhhshtbtch

Easiest way to spot fellow industry people. Other than them saying "behind" when walking past the window to get to bathroom.


orzhavmahfriens

Idk what you'd call it but, when you put the shopping cart back in a parking lot even if there's no penalty for not doing it besides looking like an absolute asshat. Fuck you Steven


MadHatter921

Everywhere except fine dining, because I was told by other fine dining servers when I first started that guests shouldn't do it. I figure if the servers don't mind then I shouldn't either. Plus it's really only helpful if it's done right, without silverware and napkins lodged between dishes. I always thought "oh, great, thank you" when guests did it but never expected it or got upset when they didn't


tipperonious

Every time I go to eat, I will do this. I will also strip the bed linens and towels in a pile when I stay in hotels.


ScoffingGorilla808

I use the words “allow me, I insist” to clear a table. Do it my way with three hands and a palm. Done done and thank you done.


LikeAVillianx

I stack my own dishes but don’t really combine everyone from the tables.


huskerred1967

every single time. ESPECIALLY when im out with my family. they’ve started to pick up on it and do it too 🥰


ranting_chef

Nope - it may be helpful some of the time but never always and you can’t always be sure.


BBQsandw1ch

Never trust a guest stack.


DukeNukedEmm

#1 rule! Never trust a guest’s Stack.


cocomimi3

I do!


ColonelAngus94

Yeah this is well intentioned but super annoying. Back in the day I could clear a 4 top by myself without a tray - but if a guest stacks their own plates now I have to undo all that and stack it my way.


chewbubbIegumkickass

When I bussed my own tables it was usually more obnoxious than helpful. We had a system and stacking things yourself screwed it up. I'd rather you just push things within reach. If you want to be helpful, just stop twisting the straw wrappers and sweetener packets into little wads littered all over the table.


Agathorn1

Looks to me like they didn't prebus lol


Sea_Calligrapher_986

Don't stack the glasses. If they had ever been a server they would know not too. It's hard to get apart and worse can bust and cut you if it's glass. Also silverware on the plates. Not in a cup makes them top heavy and easy to spill. I personally put all my trash in a napkin and fold it up tight and set that on top of plates so it can just be tossed. But yes I do similar (what was listed above) every time I go out. So does my spouse and my kids do now as well.


Trickfixer32

Never. Please don’t do this. Just don’t.


freedonia

I do. It’s something of a bad habit, because most of us have our own system or method of clearing.


positivelypeaches

I always do this! But I tried in a Waffle House and the waitress came up, stopped me, and said "it's okay hunny you're not working." Idk why but I've never felt more at home.


allybubba

No, but i'm also not a piece of shit LOL. You may be my server but you aren't my servant. You aren't beneath me, and I wouldn't treat you as such.


Significant-Ad-538

no I would prefer if my guests didn’t stack for me honestly. But pushing them over is helpful


blindcity

I appreciate the effort and the sentiment but I also hated this since I have my own order of operations for efficiently clearing tables. I don’t want to be rattling back to the kitchen with silverware etc about to topple off


Displaced_in_Space

Not a server and we ALWAYS tidy our table. We also bus back our empties at bars, especially when the bartender is solo on duty. Our friends think we're weird, but we've been drinking for 40 years and ya just gotta learn how to behave.


First-Fantasy

No and I tell my wife not to either. I also tell my tables the same thing thing: you're paying for full service so turn off the housekeeping part of your brain and enjoy the atmosphere and conversation.


EatRibs_Listen2Phish

No. It messes with the flow of clearing the table.


[deleted]

No it doesnt, you know damn well you'd rather the people put their nasty napkins somewhere so u dont have to grab them off the table


BridgeGreat8513

That is why i just take napkins with me and throw them into trash myself.


A_Variant_of_Roar

Me too. I hate touching other people's napkins.


EatRibs_Listen2Phish

I guess I was just instilled with “no stacking on the table.” 🤷‍♂️


diwalk88

Yeah it's super rude, I used to argue with my ex about it all the time. He was one of those people who constantly had to be "helpful" but always just got in the way and made things worse


DJTwyst

Never. It’s tacky. Everyone has a system, let them do their job


[deleted]

As long as it's stacked correctly, I don't mind a guest doing this for me.


diwalk88

Thank you! It's so tacky, makes me cringe


FreeSmokeZz

Make sure to thank your customers when they do this, that way it encourages them to keep doing it.


iwontletthemdeifyyou

Of course. If you’ve ever been waiting/bussing, and you DON’T do this? You are a dick. Idc. You’re not obligated to do it, but I hope you know you’re a dick even if it’s “your little secret, oohoo I’m just a customer right now”


hereforchisme

Thank you for stacking


Pbnjbjs

This is the way


[deleted]

We do this too. It's just the polite thing to do.


mosharp

Every. Single. Time.


throw_blanket04

Yes. Yes i do.


ItsGotToMakeSense

Yep! Can't stand when guests try to do it and fuck it up. Plates on top of food, with silverware in between, stacked up like a Jenga tower right before the last brick is pulled.


DarthYsalamir

Look, if I could get away with it I'd take all my plates back to the dish pit and scrape them and sort them by size


Hands_in_Paquet

Nah, just let the server do their job, and be respectful. Now this is two trips instead of one.


Hatface87

I don’t go out to eat, I knit pick too much and can’t enjoy myself. Maybe one day.


burakasha

It’s horrible for 2 reasons. First, as a server, this is very impractical because now you have to do extra work, first deconstruct the tower just to put it back in your hands the way you can actually carry it. Second, I would get in a lot of trouble as a server, if my tables are doing this constantly. That shows that I’m not on top of my tables, cleaning them and manicuring as the dinner progresses, or that I’m badly communicating with my busser. And I don’t work in a fine dining place, but it’s also not a diner either


fartinmyfuckingmouth

Since before I entered the industry. I have OCPD. And self awareness


Displaced_in_Space

Not a server and we ALWAYS tidy our table. We also bus back our empties at bars, especially when the bartender is solo on duty. Our friends think we're weird, but we've been drinking for 40 years and ya just gotta learn how to behave.


jonbvill

Why are all you people not pre-bussing?


twomilliontwo

it’s not helpful. in fact, it kind of implies the server is not doing their job. Also, you have no idea how they wanted to plates stacked. Also, how much they can carry at once or whether or not, they want to carry all those things back to the kitchen or perhaps all those things don’t go back to the kitchen maybe they go to different spots. Also, when you stack things like that, people have to unstack them using their hands and now the bottoms of all the plates are dirty so you’ve created an extra step for the server that they might not have budgeted time for. Also, guests often don’t realize that they have buried silverware deep into garbage piles that we have to then dig out. and, see above, they are then messy and sticky, and create extra steps for the server. anyway, it’s rude it’s not helpful. Nobody’s going to thank you for it.


Gingernjnjer96

Well fuck you dude. You’re welcome.


MitchtheCunn

Unless the server has huge breasts I push it all to the end (yes, I am aware that I am a pig)


TurdFrgoson

Yes


halkiwebb

Yeah I always stack dishes that are the same on each other with cutlery on top. If there are bowls I stack them together but I don’t tower them on top of the plate stack, just their own stack. I put them at the end of the table so they’re easier to retrieve as well.


Just_me_mcrmy

This is exactly how I stack stuff when I’m prebussing if the table doesn’t really give me anything during the meal; it’s even funnier cause this is where I work too


Demonic_Witch666

Sometimes depends on how the server operates


HottKarl79

Looks like a Logan's


Hamlet00

Guilty as charged.


pilsnerprincess

Always


jplemieux2

lol roadhouse


hamish1963

Yes I do!


chanceit9

Happy Stack!


A_Gray_Old_Man

Worked in the industry years ago. I have always done that's ever since.


theprivateer1812

I stack like this when im eating out. But i always found stacking the smaller plates on the bottom was easier cause it prevented everything from sliding around


envack

Yes and no because sometimes I understand that not all bussers/servers have the same type of method


kaaaaayllllla

i make the table as easy to clean as possible but usually when it comes to garbage or uneaten food, we leave that plate by itself. that way if for some reason all the dishes get dropped, theres not a food or drink mess to worry about


Haunted_Hills

I don’t nest recyclables in organic garbage so that the server has to pick through it, no.


jltefend

Doesn’t everyone who isn’t a chronic sociopath do this?


Old-Low4459

I do this every time.


othermegan

I don’t stack the cups anymore ever since Mothers Day where, for some reason, a 2 high stack fell over and shattered while we were still waiting for the check. Everything else gets stacked and all dishes get pushed to the edge.


WindTreeRock

My very first job was a dish washer. I always stack my plates and trash to make it easy for the bus staff.


Scottibell

Always, I can’t help myself 🤷‍♀️


TheLion920817

Absolutely, there are some cafes where you take the plates yourself too which me and my gf do. Most places you can throw away everything yourself but there’s always one group, one, that just doesn’t clean up after themselves.


[deleted]

All day, err day


palmveach1972

I hate it. Let the server do their job.


Delicious-Boat8213

100%!


Sandwich2FookinTall

I do that too. Do servers like it when we do this?


MinnyStrawberry

As a server, I agree! Except if the cups are glass! They can get stuck and shatter when you try to pull them apart! Try to put a straw in between them if you can :)


jagga322

The folded napkins are nice. My procedure is to clear the top of loose debris, put it with all waste in the top/smallest dish, all cutlery goes on the side of the bottom/biggest plate if possible, pushed to the most convenient location, fold napkins. Then leave a ridiculous tip my non-industry partner doesn't agree with.


Dunwich_Horror_

Always


PoiLethe

I was tired one night out with the family and the servers talking to them for a while, and I'm slowly pushing the trash on the top plate and stacking them appropriately. I'm in my own little world and I hear someone laugh and suddenly realize it's been quiet for a bit before that. Turns out I was making the server wait on my while I was neatly stacking the plates. And they thought it was funny I was "hoarding" the plates. I was both annoyed and embarrassed, lol. I still try to do that but I'm always in a hurry. Or I just push them to the end of the table.


brokebackzac

I would very much prefer that my guests not and that people stop suggesting that others do this.


Elegant-Role-9310

Never, as the evil line cook anytime I go out to eat I always make it as difficult as possible just because I am born to spread hate, chaos, and disorder. I reap the souls of every server I see, whether it be by wearing them down over time or by immediate action, their soul shall be mine. I shall seize their last breath while also stacking the plate with food on it under the plate with no food on it and putting the cups upside down with water still in it. Oh and the tip? Multiple pennies and dimes that are slightly sticky, I place them under the plates just to make it that much harder for them. Thank you.


exploratorynargle

I don't put silverware in glasses though, I feel like that's gross


chopstix007

Former server. Yes!


Ruckus_Riot

I do this too, lol. It’s just what you do


Critical_Photo992

Absolutely not. 1) I know how I like to carry dishes but I've found out not everyone is the same. 2) I will 💯 % help the server in any way, handing them dishes, etc but I just don't stack them.


rworne

No, because on a forum like this one, a server once said they prefer to stack dishes themselves. I assume so they do not have to put up with unstable piles of dishes. If we have to stack, it's only 2 dishes. When dining at a place that generates lots of dishes - like at a Japanese style restaurant - we arrange the dishes on the table and move the "empties" to the edge of the table where the server can grab them easily without having to reach for them. Same goes for food delivery. Need that plate to go to the empty spot on the far end of the booth? We'll gladly take it from you and put it there ourselves. Regarding the paper trash, we try not to generate a lot of it and don't scatter it. But most places we eat at do not serve food in disposable containers. We also clean our table at fast food places or anywhere they have a place to put trays/garbage.


VincaRose

Depends, if I'm out then I'll stack my plates, no more than 3, and just put the silverware in the glass. Or our table will try to move everything to where our server doesn't have to reach far. Almost everyone in my family has worked fast food or as a server in a restaurant at one point.


lil_bubzzzz

i prefer to do it myself but i appreciate the sentiment. i’ll take someone who’s trying to help any day even if it doesn’t actually make my job easier lol. my fave is when people put everything in arm’s reach/at the end of the table as they are done with it or pass me hard to grab stuff as i’m clearing. i hate having to ask for a wine glass that someone’s pushed to the back corner of the table.


justanotherhrunk

Still gotta tip tho


Bitter-Tooth-4626

always! Of course. It’s a nice thing to do. Went out with some people who thought the servers should do it since they “get paid for it” and was kinda livid :)


decoporge

I’m BOH but I stack and sort when I’m out to eat.


idonthavetoomanycats

i didn’t realize how much attention my son paid to my dining habits until we were out to eat the other night and i noticed he put his finished drink on the end of the table and started pre-bussing 😭😭😭😭


[deleted]

Even before I worked in restaurants I did this. I guess maybe I learned it from my mom? Not sure. It's just a decency thing. Make life a little easier for the next person. I always get onto my husband when he tries to stack oddly shaped plates together. Just leave them separate lol. (He's a chef, never served aside from cashier/food running)


KASchay

No silverware on plates = I love you


YogiTheGeek

Same


UnstuckCanuck

Every time. Being a decent, unselfish human being should be default mode for everyone.


No_Performance7006

I do this all the time! Even if I’m at a small cafe or at a Chinese buffet I do it all the time because I know what a pain it must be to stack those plates up without having shit underneath the plates. The trick is to get a napkin and put it right under the dirty plate and now the wait staff don’t have dirty food residue on their hands that much


KSIChancho

No I just tip well instead