What we [waiters] lie about

1. We’re not allowed to tell our customers we don’t like a dish. So if you ask your server how something is and she says, "It’s one of our most popular dishes,” chances are she doesn’t like it.

2. On Christmas Day, when people ask why I’m there, I might say, "My sister’s been in the hospital,” or, "My brother’s off to war, so we’re celebrating when he gets back.” Then I rake in the tips.

3. If you’re looking for your waiter and another waiter tells you he’s getting something out of the stockroom, you can bet he’s out back having a quick smoke.

4. If someone orders a frozen drink that’s annoying to make, I’ll say, "Oh, we’re out. Sorry!” when really I just don’t want to make it. But if you order water instead of another drink, suddenly we do have what you originally wanted because I don’t want to lose your drink on the bill.

5. If you make a big fuss about sending your soup back because it’s not hot enough, we like to take your spoon and run it under really hot water, so when you put the hot spoon in your mouth, you’re going to get the impression — often the very painful impression — that your soup is indeed hot.

6. Oh, you needed more water so badly, you had to snap or tap or whistle? I’ll be right back … in ten minutes.

7. We want you to enjoy yourself while you’re there eating, but when it’s over, you should go. Do you stay in the movie theater after the credits? No.

Ends