April 2, 2026, 1:32 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
For most people, dining out at a restaurant is a vacation staple. While there are country-specific standards, traditions, and etiquette pitfalls, it should go without saying that one should behave and be polite in every country. Even though most people adhere to this, there are always some unpleasant guests, as our author Susanne Resch knows. She worked as a waitress during her school and college years here in Germany–for TRAVELBOOK, she reveals which guest behaviors particularly annoyed her.
“Can you throw this away?” a guest asked me. With a tray in hand and orders in mind, I absentmindedly accepted what the woman handed me. It wasn’t until I was on my way to the kitchen that I realized it was a still-warm diaper. Although this only happened to me once in over ten years of waitressing, it left a lasting impression. I experienced it at a top steakhouse in Munich, popular with both locals and tourists.
But regardless of whether it was at a high-end steakhouse, the small-town Greek restaurant on the corner, or the bars where I worked, there were always challenging guests. While the vast majority were friendly, the few unpleasant ones could be quite trying. Most of the time, I saw it as “practice” and remained calm. But sometimes, I served up some sharp verbal comebacks in return. After that, the woman who didn’t want to dispose of the diaper herself or a man who wanted to hand me his old chewing gum had no further “requests” for me. Aside from these isolated incidents, there were always difficult guests whose unpleasant behavior I had encountered before. Here are my top ten most annoying guest habits that sometimes made me curse my job in restaurants or bars:
1. Snapping Fingers
Annoying guests who snap their fingers in restaurants were a recurring issue. Sure, it gets attention, but it’s absolutely inappropriate. If you have a request, you should make eye contact, raise your hand, or say “excuse me” when the waiter passes by.
2. No “Please” and “Thank You”
Speaking of rudeness: Guests who never said “please” or “thank you” were also exhausting. Back then, I was particularly friendly to coax some politeness out of them; today, it would probably just roll off me. Still, for especially nice guests, most waiters go the extra mile, and kindness pays off everywhere.
3. Inappropriate Remarks
A man once asked me if I could serve him at home as well. Another said he could imagine the cocktail muddler I used to crush the limes for his Cuba Libre being used elsewhere. Although these were by far the most disrespectful guests, inappropriate comments were not uncommon. Sure, guests can flirt, but as always, it should be done with decency and respect!
4. Too Much Physical Contact
Inappropriate behavior wasn’t limited to verbal comments. Guests who placed their hand on my backside or around my waist were quickly put in their place. However, when guests subtly or “accidentally” touched me with their leg or forearm while I was serving, I didn’t show any reaction, just kept more distance. Of course, there can be some physical contact, especially when it’s crowded. But unnecessary contact is always inappropriate unless the waiter or waitress has given clear signals beforehand.
5. Inappropriate Tipping
While most waiters rely on tips, I always understood when people could only give a little or no tip at all. I found it inappropriate when guests, for example, emphasized generously rounding up a bill of 39.60 to 40 euros. Even worse were the guests who rifled through their bills and then their coin pocket, only to say they had nothing “small.” Surprise: I could have made change.
6. Flaunting Wealth
The Porsche key visibly on the table, loudly ordering the most expensive champagne, or paying in a way that ensures everyone sees the bills in the luxury wallet: While I can’t deny that this might have impressed some colleagues, I found it amusing but not impressive in the least.
7. Treating the Restaurant as a Free-For-All Zone
Guests who left their children unsupervised or treated the restaurant like a playground were just as annoying as parents who left their children’s mess under the table or let their kids build sculptures out of salt or sugar. If you apologize and maybe leave a little extra tip, it’s different than treating it as a given.
Also interesting: The Best Tips for Flying with Toddlers
8. Sitting Down Uninvited
Every day, there were guests who just sat down anywhere–preferably at the only table not yet cleared. Often, there are many reservations, and regardless of this organization, waiters have a better overview when they seat guests themselves. Of course, with or without a reservation, you can still express where you’d like to sit. If possible, the waiter is happy to accommodate this request.
9. Not Accepting a “No”
Even though I always tried to make everything possible, sometimes there was no space or a dish was no longer available. Most guests understood this, but there were those who simply wouldn’t accept it. Particularly annoying were the guests who insisted something could be done–because they had worked in a restaurant themselves.
Outraged guests! Restaurant charges 58 euros for cutting a cake
“On river cruises, everyone has something going on with everyone else.”
10. Not Pushing Chairs In
Admittedly, it’s not a huge problem: Still, I never understood why guests didn’t push their chairs in when they left. Didn’t we all learn that in school?
Also interesting: The (Un)Popular Dishes in Germany
11. Not Responding
Especially with groups and when it’s busy, a waiter can’t always remember who ordered what. When you announce “the filet?” three times and no one responds, it’s exhausting. Guests who don’t make room when you’re serving their food are also annoying. Especially since the plates in a restaurant are often very hot or heavy.
Despite some annoying guests and tough working conditions, I enjoyed working in restaurants and bars. It was incredibly varied, I met many people, and it definitely made me stronger. Nothing can shock me easily anymore.