James E.
Yelp
I'm an UberEats driver. So here's the backstory: I was at the Harborview restaurant to pick up a delivery order for a virtual restaurant called "George Lopez Tacos". It took some shuffling around, but I eventually got on the right elevator and pressed "R" (which presumably means "rooftop", but I digress). It almost pains me to say this, but I now sorely regret coming off that elevator because what would be right around the corner would be the most disrespectful, rude, and inconsiderate staff member of the whole restaurant: Marcella.
How this situation unfolded -- I hadn't even told her this upon meeting her, but I waited about a couple minutes next to the "Please Wait To Be Seated" sign in the right entranceway to the rooftop restaurant to conform to their rules. Despite signaling through eye contact that I needed help to the bartender and a waitress, I finally walked over to the bar to find out where my order was. I was then directed to the counter adjacent to the bar, where Marcella was, which was presumably a cashier's desk. As I arrive, I announced that I was an UberEats courier and I was there to pickup a delivery from customer X.
What happened next was interesting: I received practically no response after uttering those words except for a thought "blurb" from Marcella, the woman behind the counter. And before you think I am being unreasonable in these characterizations, hear me out: I worked at a restaurant for almost two years of my life, so I understand that she was busy; she obviously was. Which is why I kept on standing, leaning against the wall and minding my own business -- until the waitress, Marcella, decided to stick her nose into my business and suggest that I sit down. I kindly ignored her request, and told her that I preferred to stay standing. No big deal, right? Wrong. So as she rolled back around from helping one of her customers, I decided to make a comment to the effect of saying most of the customers she's dealt with at this restaurant would probably have sat down, seeing that it is a (supposedly) high-end restaurant and -- I didn't repeat this last part -- generally want everything done for them. In response, Marcella decided that groaning and complaining was the best possible course of action, and as such, moaned that I was making her feel rushed "...because I got a million other things to do".
As you can see, this is a totally rude and disrespectful comment coming from somebody who is supposed to be a nice, easy-going waitress who isn't perfect, but should be reasonably kind and accommodating to clients (especially food and drink couriers that increase customer satisfaction by making timely deliveries in a neat and orderly fashion). I rejected this comment by asking what of my demeanor suggested I was rushing her, to which she had no answer, to which she insincerely apologized in a profuse manner, saying "Sorry sir. Please sorry sir." To be honest about this next part, I probably shouldn't have said this last statement, but when she came back around for a third time, I decided to chastise her by basically saying that I had worked at a restaurant for a very long time and never treated someone the way she treated me, I called her rude, and then said "Ok. Rush. Hurry up" while continuing that "I never once said anything to you, so it was totally rude for you to say that I had been rushing you, and then inconsiderately talk about the fact that you're busy -- when I am too -- and making it all about yourself as I waited for the order in a calm, cool and collected manner." She then told me to "Please stop, sir" to which I responded, "I'll keep on going if I want to."
To state the obvious, I wasn't perfect in this interaction either. But Marcella was one of the rudest, if not the rudest, restaurant employee I have ever met as a customer. She made it about herself, not taking into consideration that I, too, had been busy with more and more deliveries, and that I had been patient, courteous, and made sure not to say anything to her so that she would not feel rushed at all.
It pays to avoid establishments like the Harborview Restaurant.