So, a few friends and I went out to eat today for breakfast. It was a Saturday morning, so we expected it to be busy, which it was. It was packed inside, I feel sad for the staff working there, suspecting they're underpaid, overworked, and trying to make it through their shift. We live in a college town, the restaurant is on campus, and it is one of the more popular places to eat around here.
So, I noticed a bunch of Door Dash and Uber Eats orders coming through as we were seated at the bar. I asked two of the servers if they received any tips for those orders and was shocked to learn that they do not. I do understand that these orders are generally easier to deal with than customers seated in the restaurant, verify the order, bag it up, and then they're “complete.” Now what I don't understand is why the servers are made to give precedent to these orders over the customers who are physically at the restaurant. Honestly, I find it aggravating since the server staff is most likely told to give these orders precedence to get them cycled through and out the door, but it does make it seem like the ones who show up to eat are less important (I'm not trying sound like a Karen, I do apologize if it comes off as such).
I counted at least 4 (probably more) orders that came through for pickup. Considering this eats up a servers time, they do not receive any tips for this, and I suspect most customers will take this as poor customer service to justify leaving a smaller tip (maybe in being pessimistic on this) as they are not being tended to. Even being right next to our server, we were nearly nonexistent compared to these orders coming through for pickup. I personally don't understand this.
Just for a little clarification, I have never worked in food service in any capacity. No fast food or restaurant work history. I find it absurd that workers in this service are not adequately compensated, overworked, and usually understaffed. So I can't say I know the struggles first hand. I do try to tip well knowing these things. I don't think it should be up to the customer to supplement the workers' income through tips either, but until we change as a society, I accept that is simply how it is, unfortunately.
Capitalism makes it more impairative to tend to those orders coming through for pickup rather than the customers who actually physically come to the establishment to eat. The servers aren't receiving any real recognition (kitchen staff, too, I imagine) for the extra work involved, any extra compensation for the extra work, and the customers who are at the establishment receive less attention meaning less customer service. I imagine, as a result, this leads to lower tips for the server staff.
What are your thoughts on this? I do hope I haven't come off as Karen with my rant, that is not my intention.