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Bartenders in Oneills

10 things that every waiting team will have experienced

Posting date: 04/11/2025
Daria Dysarz
Written by Daria Dysarz

Anyone who has worked in a pub or restaurant will tell you about the vast array of transferrable skills you learn in a waiting staff job. It’s fair to say, working in hospitality is fast-paced, and busy but filled with fun, especially at Christmas. 

We asked 10 members of our bar and waiting teams at Mitchells & Butlers’ pubs and restaurants across the UK to share some experiences that might be familiar to anyone who has ever worked in hospitality. Here are some of their best stories:

The missing condiment wake-up call

“Waking up in the middle of the night remembering you forgot to give table 34 their ketchup.”

The confused ‘vegan’

“I once had a guest ask to see the vegan menu. Two minutes later, they said ‘sorry there isn’t much meat on this menu!’”

  • Valentin, Vintage Inns

Having a little giggle when you’re asked this

“Can I have a pint of pepperoni please?”

  • Kayleigh, Miller & Carter 

Having a smashing time

“The fear of smashing a glass knowing the guests and team will shout WHEYYY”

Who said romance was dead?

“Two seagulls once consummated their relationship on the roof to a packed-out beer garden. Once they had finished the garden erupted in cheer and applause. Who said romance was dead?”

  • Lewis, Premium Country Pubs

The guests who don’t speak French

“I once had a guest ask ‘Do you have dolphin nose potatoes?’ When serving, I almost responded ‘Bone apple tea!”

When the plates are just too clean…

“A guest once said to me, ‘Excuse me but our plates are too shiny, and we can’t cut our food properly.’ We now refer to it as shiny plate day!”

Calamari confusion

“Have you ever stared at food so much that during a busy weekend you forget the name of basic items? I once put down a pot of tea and said ‘Here’s your calamari!’”

Birthday blunder.

“I once put a note in bookings for a table celebrating a 60th birthday, the waitress wrote a card and a sign, then the guest arrived, and it was her 50th birthday! Thankfully she took my typo with a good heart!”

  • Alison, Miller & Carter

Christmas chaos

“Once after a busy festive period, I was doing a food shop at my local supermarket and found myself shouting ‘mind your backs’ to strangers who were in my way!”

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