»Branon Jaggers – bjaggers1@my.apsu.edu

It’s been a horrible day. You just got off work after being screamed at by your boss’ hand-fed son who thinks he owns the world.

Now you’re out with your family and your kid won’t stop throwing his sippy cup across the restaurant because, for some unknown reason, children feel the need to re-enact David and Goliath every time they’re out in public.

But instead of taking one more on the chin today, you decide to take out all of your built-up aggression on the first person who walks up to you.

Unfortunately, that person just happens to be the one who says, “Hi! My name’s John, and I’ll be taking your order?”

As a server, I see this much too often. Angry people come in, sit down and feel it is their right to treat their servers like the scum of the earth simply because they’ve had a bad day, or maybe their soup tastes a little funny.

No, I had nothing to do with your horrible day, sir or madam, and maybe your soup does taste funny, but last time I checked, I’m not the one cooking the food.

I’m just the server, getting verbally pounded for the price of a slice of pizza and a beer.

Remember, we all have bad days, myself included, but I wouldn’t take it out on you. Please don’t take yours out on me.

Instead, leave it all behind and give me the chance to make you laugh a little.

Guests like this are why the general public has let things like the 2005 movie “Waiting” convince them there might be saliva in their mashed potatoes or dandruff flakes in their steak garnish.

While this never happens where I work — and the chances of any restaurant’s general manager letting it happen to a guest are slim to none — you would think the fear of this would make people more conscious of their attitudes.

Perhaps the more combative guests haven’t watched the movies or heard the rumors or truly do believe they have the right to treat anyone any way they want.

Realistically, it may never catch up to them, and they will never get a four-times dropped, dust-covered chicken parmesan from me.

But likewise, I don’t deserve a 2 cent tip on a $99.98 bill. My efforts are worth more than that.

A couple of dollars saying “thank you for your service” would make my night.

The best thing in the world is coming in to my shift and having someone sit down who genuinely wants to talk.

A sincere smile and a simple introduction from my guest will ensure my utmost attention and the best service you have ever had.

I took the job because I love people.

The next time you’ve had a horrible day or feel the need to scream at someone, remember, the facts you got fired, are fighting with your husband or wife and you genuinely hate Monday through Sunday most likely have nothing to do with anyone but you.

Get yourself a frozen dinner, seclude yourself from the public and figure your life out before coming to eat and expecting your server to understand, because if this is you, the whole restaurant knows it and you might have spit in your soda. TAS