Those Jokes You Should Never Make With A Server (And Why)

We’ve all been there—sitting in a restaurant, waiting for our meal, and trying to lighten the mood with a joke or two. After all, a little humor can make the dining experience more fun. But sometimes, those "harmless" quips can cross a line, leaving both the waiter and you feeling uncomfortable. Certain jokes, while seemingly innocent, can really rub servers the wrong way. So, before you crack that joke about your food or the service, let’s take a moment to reflect on the types of humor that are best left unsaid when dealing with the folks who bring you your meal.

“You’re Getting My Order Wrong on Purpose, Aren’t You?”

Let’s start with one of the classics: asking the waiter if they’re messing up your order on purpose. While you might think it’s funny or clever, this joke can come off as passive-aggressive, especially when you’re dealing with someone trying to keep up with a busy, fast-paced environment. Remember, waiters are juggling multiple tables, and mistakes happen from time to time—intentionally causing one? That’s not in their job description. The truth is, most servers take pride in their work, and making light of errors only adds unnecessary stress to an already demanding job. Instead of turning it into a joke, a simple, polite request to correct the order is always the best route.

“I’ll Have the Food I Actually Ordered… If You Can Remember It!”

Here’s another one you might hear: commenting on a server’s memory by implying that they’re not doing a good job remembering your order. While it might seem like a harmless tease, it can actually feel belittling to the server. Waiters are usually handling multiple tables at once, with different orders, dietary restrictions, and sometimes even last-minute changes. Jokes about their ability to remember what you’ve asked for can make them feel like they’re not being taken seriously, even if you don’t mean any harm. Instead, a little patience and understanding goes a long way in making the whole dining experience smoother for everyone involved.

“I Hope You’re Getting Good Tips for This!”

It’s no secret that servers often rely on tips as a major part of their income, but joking about it can come off as tone-deaf. Making a comment like, “I hope you’re getting good tips for this!” can sound dismissive and undermine the hard work that’s going into your service. Yes, tips are important, but waiters don’t need a reminder of that fact, especially when they’re already working hard to ensure you have a great experience. A better approach? A sincere “Thank you for your hard work today,” and of course, a decent tip when the time comes.

“Is That All You Do, Wait Tables?”

Another one of those questions that might sound like a casual inquiry but can be far more insulting than intended: asking, "Is that all you do?" While some people might not mean it as an insult, it can be interpreted as belittling or dismissive. In truth, waitstaff often have busy and varied lives outside their jobs, and many of them pursue careers in other fields or have multiple jobs. The assumption that waiting tables is a "lesser" profession is not only inaccurate but also rude. A better question would be to inquire about their day or simply offer some positive small talk—treating them with respect as a person, not just as a server.

“I’m Not Paying for This If It’s Not Perfect!”

Ah, the “perfectionist” diner. Everyone’s had that one person at the table who insists on a flawless experience—often by saying something like, "If it’s not perfect, I’m not paying for this." While it’s understandable to want good service and quality food, making an ultimatum out of a mistake that’s usually fixable isn’t the way to go. It’s easy to forget that servers don’t have control over everything that happens in the kitchen. Mistakes happen, and threats to withhold payment are not only rude, but they can make the situation worse. A simple approach—pointing out the issue politely and allowing the server to fix it—will make for a far better outcome.

“What Took So Long? I Was Getting Hungry!”

We’ve all been there—waiting for our food to arrive and getting impatient. But making jokes about how long your food is taking, especially when it’s something outside of the server’s control, can easily lead to frustration. The kitchen might be backed up, there could be an issue with a delivery, or your server could simply be running from table to table. Making light of the situation with comments like “What took so long?” doesn’t help anyone, and it often just adds more pressure on the person trying their best to deliver your meal. Instead, if you're waiting a bit longer than usual, just enjoy the company around you and trust that your food will be there soon.

“Do You Eat Here?”

Okay, this one is almost too obvious to mention—but it still happens. Commenting on a server’s appearance with something like, “Do you eat here?” in reference to their outfit or the food they’re serving can be incredibly rude. This kind of joke not only questions their professionalism, but it also shows a lack of respect for their role in making sure your meal is enjoyable. Remember, servers are there to help you, not to be the target of your humor. Treating them like an equal human being, rather than a punchline, will always lead to a better experience for everyone.