Toddlers: The True Tough Customers of the Dining Experience

I firmly believe that everyone should experience working in the restaurant industry at least once. It offers a unique perspective on both the best and worst of humanity, not to mention that navigating the whims of difficult diners is fantastic training for parenthood.

Having spent years in food service, I can confidently say that the rudest customers I faced pale in comparison to my toddler.

Dramatic Returns

When it comes to rejecting a meal, my son doesn’t simply ask for something else like a polite diner. Instead, he hurls his plate across the table and bellows, “I don’t want that!” No subtlety here.

Staff Etiquette

During my time as a waitress, I encountered plenty of rude customers, but none ever resorted to throwing food at me. My toddler, however, considers it a normal practice to launch produce in my direction without a hint of remorse.

Temperature Tantrums

Serving food to a toddler at the right temperature seems nearly impossible. Items are either scorching hot or ice cold, and heaven forbid a child under three should wait even a moment for you to cool a dish. Just 30 seconds can turn a potential meal into an all-out tantrum. Offer a glass of cold milk, and he will demand “warm milky” instead. One must tread carefully or risk turning dinner into a battleground.

Ketchup Connoisseur

In the restaurant world, some patrons will sprinkle salt on their dishes before even tasting them, leaving waitstaff to navigate the whims of a particular chef. Toddlers, on the other hand, have a similar obsession with ketchup. It doesn’t matter if the dish is savory or sweet; if it’s on their plate, it must be slathered with ketchup. My son has even declared that oatmeal with ketchup is a delicacy. Who am I to argue?

The Home-Cooked Rejection

Perhaps this is a phenomenon unique to my household, but if I prepare a meal, my son suddenly loses all interest. While diners may shy away from a dish they’ve had at another restaurant, they usually give it a chance. Not my toddler! He won’t even consider a bite of the meatballs I make, yet will devour the same dish at our local eatery. It’s baffling!

Gratuity Issues

After all the effort I put into dinner, one might expect a small gesture of appreciation. A few coins from his overflowing piggy bank or a simple “thank you” would suffice. Unfortunately, I’m left empty-handed. Perhaps I should consider adding an 18% gratuity to every meal to combat this blatant disregard for my efforts.

So, dear waitstaff, take heart. Your experiences in food service will undoubtedly prepare you for the delightful chaos of parenthood.

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Summary: Toddlers can be more challenging than any restaurant patron, exhibiting behaviors such as throwing food, demanding specific temperatures, and rejecting home-cooked meals. Their antics serve as a humorous reminder of the trials of parenthood, preparing us for future challenges.