Jennifer A. (curvymommy) -
Helpful Score: 12
This wasn't really what I thought it would be. I was hoping it was going to be focused more on the things the author had to deal with as a waiter. There was a lot of his personal story involved, and to me those parts of the books were not as interesting. I enjoyed reading the "behind-the-scenes" account of what goes on in restaurants, but could have done without the author's personal issues.
There was A LOT of repetition in this book, and it slowed the narrative down. There were also some obvious typos. This book could have done with a better edit.
Overall, not horrible, but not one of the best books I've read either.
There was A LOT of repetition in this book, and it slowed the narrative down. There were also some obvious typos. This book could have done with a better edit.
Overall, not horrible, but not one of the best books I've read either.
Julie W. (cloverluv) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 129 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
As a former waitress myself, I was looking forward to hearing someone else's battle tales.
At first that's exactly what I got. For the first third of the book I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. I was loving all the stories about horrible customers, crazy staff and bosses, and what really goes on inside a high-end kitchen.
Then, fairly abruptly, I was bored. Dublanica got me excited by throwing out all his good stories right at the start of the book, then the more I read, the more he became preachy. His attempts to be insightful about the food service industry and the restaurant business in general became dull and boring as opposed to insightful and thought-provoking.
It felt like he was trying too hard. It's almost like his editor said to him: "Well, this is an awesome idea, but we can't just print a book about funny stories and complaints."
In response, Dublanica sat down at his computer and turned a singular observation about life as a waiter into an entire chapter. After awhile I was reading without really comprehending. It's like Charlie Brown's teacher was talking to me: "Wha wha wha wha wha wha wha...."
All I wanted was the funny stories, the "oh man" moments, and the tips on how to be a good customer, not a long-winded soliloquy about how bad waiters have it and how everyone who has never worked in a restaurant sucks.
It just felt like a light-hearted idea got flipped upside down into a "let's whine about everything" monologue.
Sadly (or happily however you choose to look at it) about 50 pages from the end I think I'll have to put down "Waiter Rant." Otherwise I may never bother to eat out again.
At first that's exactly what I got. For the first third of the book I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. I was loving all the stories about horrible customers, crazy staff and bosses, and what really goes on inside a high-end kitchen.
Then, fairly abruptly, I was bored. Dublanica got me excited by throwing out all his good stories right at the start of the book, then the more I read, the more he became preachy. His attempts to be insightful about the food service industry and the restaurant business in general became dull and boring as opposed to insightful and thought-provoking.
It felt like he was trying too hard. It's almost like his editor said to him: "Well, this is an awesome idea, but we can't just print a book about funny stories and complaints."
In response, Dublanica sat down at his computer and turned a singular observation about life as a waiter into an entire chapter. After awhile I was reading without really comprehending. It's like Charlie Brown's teacher was talking to me: "Wha wha wha wha wha wha wha...."
All I wanted was the funny stories, the "oh man" moments, and the tips on how to be a good customer, not a long-winded soliloquy about how bad waiters have it and how everyone who has never worked in a restaurant sucks.
It just felt like a light-hearted idea got flipped upside down into a "let's whine about everything" monologue.
Sadly (or happily however you choose to look at it) about 50 pages from the end I think I'll have to put down "Waiter Rant." Otherwise I may never bother to eat out again.
Sandra L. (GrannyBookworm) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 125 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Oh, this book was way too much fun! In my checkered life, I was never a waitress, thank God, and this book confirms why! I am, however, a frequent diner-outer and Waiter Rant confirms my thoughts on being a good customer. Play nice and no one will spit in your food! Ha. If you've ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes in a restaurant, have a good sense of humor and a strong stomach, dive into this book! Bon appetit!
Christiana S. (ilovecupcakes) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I have to agree with another reviewer who said that this book wasn't quite what they thought it would be. The parts about the behind-the-scenes workings of a restaurant, waiting tables, and the people you encounter along the way were interesting. The author's whining and hypocrisy were not.
When did acting like a jerk become okay so long as you acknowledge that you're acting like a jerk? Isn't that in fact worse, since you know your behavior is obnoxious but just don't care enough to do anything about it? Because that's basically 'The Waiter's' whole deal - by the end of the book he's so burnt out and the rest of the staff at the restaurant he works at hates him. And not ONCE does he acknowledge that his actions had anything to do with that, even though they totally did.
His whining is really repetitive - the book could have been half the length that it is. Argh. So glad I did not pay for this.
When did acting like a jerk become okay so long as you acknowledge that you're acting like a jerk? Isn't that in fact worse, since you know your behavior is obnoxious but just don't care enough to do anything about it? Because that's basically 'The Waiter's' whole deal - by the end of the book he's so burnt out and the rest of the staff at the restaurant he works at hates him. And not ONCE does he acknowledge that his actions had anything to do with that, even though they totally did.
His whining is really repetitive - the book could have been half the length that it is. Argh. So glad I did not pay for this.
Trish F. (TrishCF) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book was better than I thought it would be...it was actually very well written. Full of behind the scene goings on that had be laughing out loud numerous times. A vry fun and fast read.
Denise T. (tetz) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Don't let the blurb on the cover fool you. If you are looking a book with the biting wit and clever writing of Kitchen Confidential, this is not it. If you are willing to settle with a humorous recount of some this waiters more interesting customers, you will be pleased and entertained. A quick and easy read and not a bad way to pass an evening or two. Alas, I am still waiting for someone to write the "Dining Room Confidential."
Sherry S. (SherryKaraoke) -
Helpful Score: 1
Gave this to my daughter - professional waitstaff for more than twenty years. She loves it. Many recognizable customers. She reads it aloud to her co-workers on break and hysterical laughter ensues.
Stacy P. (21461) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was not as impressed with this book as I thought I would be. Tedious details and not very interesting.
Stephanie F. reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An interesting look into the hidden world of waiters and waitresses. The person who comes to your table smiling might not be as happy as they seem.
Vivian L. (samuraibunny) -
Helpful Score: 1
Certainly an eyeopening exposure to the not-so-great practices of restaurants (although if you head to the back of the restaurant you can see for yourself). But more than that, this book is just about a guy who's stuck in a deadbeat job (no offense, but that was the vibe I was getting) and the experiences that went along with it.
The woes of the workplace take a prominent place in this book: angry boss, uncooperative coworkers, work overload... Everyone can relate to those problems.
This book, sprinkled - nah, dunked - in sarcastic humor, makes for a truly laugh out loud read.
The woes of the workplace take a prominent place in this book: angry boss, uncooperative coworkers, work overload... Everyone can relate to those problems.
This book, sprinkled - nah, dunked - in sarcastic humor, makes for a truly laugh out loud read.
Luis P. reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Good book all around. Perhaps I expected it to be much more than it was but it did delivered on the fun factor. Towards the middle of the book I started realizing that there was a lot more to the book than just restaurant situations, and yes, I did started to skip one or two pages, but overall I found this title to be entertaining and fun to read.
4 Stars!
4 Stars!
Shirley (mockingbird25) -
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book! It was laugh out funny and entertaining. You almost can't believe these are actual experiences he went thru but if you've ever waited tables, you'll know they're possible. Well written & a must on your "books to read" list.
Deborah T. (nysbikergirl) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 97 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I loved the idea of this book, and did read the whole thing. However, it seems to wander off course. I was hoping for more actual antidotes and behavior descriptions, not to be brought to the deep pools of dismal thoughts that was experienced by the writer. He seems to go to these places in his mind and put it into each chapter. All in all worth reading, but somewhat a dissappointment.
Sharon M. reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 5 more book reviews
A quick, interesting read. Not great literature. Just a fun look behind the scenes.
I was a waiter for a long period of my life. I never even considered spitting in anyone's food- I don't want it done to me so why would I ever do that to someone else. The book is really good! I've had some really crazy stuff happen in the restaurant business also.
I loved that he brought everything full circle and basically made it about "it's how you live your life" because that's what life is about.
I loved that he brought everything full circle and basically made it about "it's how you live your life" because that's what life is about.
Lana (dolphingirl24416) -
Loved this book! Couldn't stop laughing, it's all true!
Michelle M. (jade19721) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 115 more book reviews
It was an ok book. Parts were quite funny especially the story about the squirrel that got loose in the restaurant. Unfortunatley those funny parts were far and few between. It seemed like most of it centered on the staff at the 2 main restaurants he had worked at and how dyfunctional they all were including the owners. I also read enough about tipping till I began to start skipping over those parts. I get it..Tip your waiter good. Some of the conversations with some of the customers are amusing, but not the fall down on the floor LMAO kind of laugh. I can forgive since it is his first book. Hopefully his 2nd book will be written a little better.
All in all it's not a bad read, but this is something I would suggest picking up at the library.
All in all it's not a bad read, but this is something I would suggest picking up at the library.
jjares reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 3426 more book reviews
Both of our children worked at restaurants during a portion of their college years. As Dublanica states, restaurants have schedules that allow college kids to 'earn and learn' at the same time. I doubt there was a single thing that our kids complained about that the author did not cover during the book.
Dublanica tells his story in a warm and engaging style. It is amazing what we expect wait staff to do during a meal. In the opening pages, the author listed all of the things patrons expect of their waiters and it was a staggering assortment of activities. During the book, he shows just how real those expectations are; no wonder so few in food service stay as waiters.
One of the expectations that I almost balked at was 'entertainment.' And then I recalled a recent reality show that was showing waiters how to 'entertain' their patrons to earn better tips. The star's gimmick was to turn a dessert into a flambe routine. He proved his point by earning far more that night than the other waiters.
I thought Steve had an endearing style; he harpooned everyone, including himself, when it seemed warranted. My main criticism concerns the length of the book, I thought it could have been shorter and still made his points. In other words, I thought the text could have been edited more carefully. In all, I think this author has a future in the printed page and wish him the best.
Dublanica tells his story in a warm and engaging style. It is amazing what we expect wait staff to do during a meal. In the opening pages, the author listed all of the things patrons expect of their waiters and it was a staggering assortment of activities. During the book, he shows just how real those expectations are; no wonder so few in food service stay as waiters.
One of the expectations that I almost balked at was 'entertainment.' And then I recalled a recent reality show that was showing waiters how to 'entertain' their patrons to earn better tips. The star's gimmick was to turn a dessert into a flambe routine. He proved his point by earning far more that night than the other waiters.
I thought Steve had an endearing style; he harpooned everyone, including himself, when it seemed warranted. My main criticism concerns the length of the book, I thought it could have been shorter and still made his points. In other words, I thought the text could have been edited more carefully. In all, I think this author has a future in the printed page and wish him the best.
Franchesca M. (short-angry14) -
Hilarious! Be nice to your waiters people...
Read and recommended by my daughter- (part-time) waitress, this book was a fast read. Insightful, nicely written and funny.
Irene I. (djcashmereluxury) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on
I hated this book.
Clare B. (ClareS) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 87 more book reviews
Very enjoyable
Did HarperCollins not provide a proofreader? There is a multitude of misspelled words, missing prepositions and pronouns, and basic grammatical errors in this book. The final product felt like it was something that was just slapped together.
Regarding the content of the book, it wasn't nearly as shocking or funny as I thought it would be. There were a few surprising moments though. This book was okay for a vacation read.
Regarding the content of the book, it wasn't nearly as shocking or funny as I thought it would be. There were a few surprising moments though. This book was okay for a vacation read.
John O. (buzzby) -
He doesn't seem to be a huge fan of restaurant owners, either.
Jill G. S. (jillie24) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 24 more book reviews
Nope. Couldn't do. Written in such a self absorbed way.
Toni D. (pittiemom) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 2 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book very much. It rings pretty true although I don't have any experience in a restaurant so I really don't know. If you didn't realize it before you'll see what a tough job it is to work in that business, especially for the lower paid cooks and kitchen help, with no benefits, no paid sick days, and very little job security since you're basically at the owner's mercy to hire and fire at will. It's well written, informative, entertaining and definitely worth reading.
Sandra S. (kattkatt99) reviewed Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter on + 119 more book reviews
"The other shoe finally drops. The front-of-the-house version of "Kitchen Confidential"; a painfully funny, excruciatingly true-life account of the waiter's life. As useful as it is entertaining. You will never look at your waiter the same way again . . . and will never tip less than 20 percent."
