I've been in the bar/restaurant management line of work for 15 years now. I'm at the end of my rope too. The customer has become the enemy. I've had to put up with so much rude behavior from people that it's made me mean, like a dog that's been teased through the fence too much. I'm convinced that there are some people that go out to eat just for an excuse to belittle & torment their waitstaff. I hear quite often "every time we come to this place, the service is terrible and the food is awful". Why come back then, other than an excuse to bitch about something?
The other thng that has become so tiring is people with their little brats. They think it's precious when their little demon spawn is making a pile on the table from the salt & pepper shakers or tearing coasters into shreds and scattering them everywhere. Hey that's okay. I'll just clean that up for you. I'll just go ahead and pick up the Cheerios that your snotty little shit has flung into every corner of the establishment while screeching like a monkey. CONTROL YOUR EFFING CHILDREN PEOPLE!!!!
While I'm on my little tirade, I might as well mention one of my biggest pet peeves: Customers will always come in, pick up one of our free local newspapers, read it, then leave it on the table when they're done. Hey sure, I'll pick up after you. It's very demeaning when you feel like a SERVANT rather than a SERVER. There is a difference.
If you don't know how to act in public, you shouldn't go out to eat.
Of course, there are those folks that are courteous and polite. If you fall into this category, thank you. You make the other crap somewhat tolerable. But then, it seems that most of the time, these are people who work or have worked in the service industry. It should be a law that every adult should work as a server at least once in their lives just to see what these folks have to put up with.
Don't ever snap or whistle to get your server's attention either. That is the absolute WORST. I will refuse to wait on you of you act like that, as will just about every other person I know. One time, a guy grabbed my arm as I walked by his table because he wanted his iced tea (which was still 80% full) refilled. Don't EVER grab your server folks. I kicked that guy out, BTW.
....Wow. I feel better already....