Server needs some grooming
 

Last night we went to a restaurant to enjoy a dinner out. We were promptly seated and approached by our server. Our server was a guy. Now before you all go off on me, I’m not racist nor do I care what people chose to do with their lives. He was pleasant. What was disturbing is the fact that he had very long fingernails (made me nauseas) which when he touched our bowls, his nails went over the edge toward the inside of our plates. He also had a BLM mask on, plenty of earrings and other visible piercings, and long hair which was held back by sparkly Hair clips. I had all I could do to eat my dinner without constantly seeing those long fingernails. When I go out to eat, I don’t go out to have any political, religious or other personal preference shoved in my face. I go to relax and chat with my husband over some good food.

I would think that these long nails would be a health concern for the restaurant. Think of the gross stuff that is under those nails??

I did come home and write to corporate. People have the right to be who they want to be , however when their poor hygiene affects my food and a dining experience I paid for, it crosses the line for me.

Blast off!

I don't think anyone would disagree. But, why not name the restaurant? Unless you do, I don't see the purpose of the thread.

So, women with long nails have gross stuff under them?

Wow, that is just gross. In fact, whenever I see these long, highly decorated nails all I can think is no real work ever gets done by that person. Work, as in housekeeping, yard work, etc. In fact, how do they even hit the keys on their computer/cell phone without breaking one of their precious nails?

People bitchin because negative talk about restaurants can have an impact on the restaurant. Figured we’ve all see this at one restaurant or another. This is the second restaurant I’ve seen this type of thing at.

Yep.In many jurisdictions, the Health Department bans food workers from wearing long nails as they present a food contamination hazard and cannot be contained inside gloves as they may break through the glove. This applies to servers also.

I would have left the restaurant. IMHO, if somebody wants to mutilate their body, that's their choice. My choice is I don't have to look at it.

Just face the fact YOU had options SPEAK UP, refuse meal and ask for Manager.
Name the Restaurant!

I agree. This says more about the restaurant management than about the server. Who would hire this person to represent the business?

Very true

And you have said it all. Vote with your feet.

And I grow tired of people who are always critical of servers. They don't make much money. Many are tireless and clean and respectful and hard working. Many are not. The pay is awful.

I would last five minutes until the beans would be in a lap.

I did have options and I wrote corporate...😊

I don't see a problem feeling grossed out by some strangers long nails going into the food area of your plate. It doesn't matter that the server was possibly gay and a black BLM supporter. It's not racist to listen to your own mind about how a situation makes you feel. I stand against racism and discrimination of someone's lifestyle choice so if I see it then I call it out. In this case it's just as you have stated, gross.

Fortunately we live in a more tolerant time and don't want to come across as a racist or homophopic. Unfortunately this cuts both ways. You're having to tolerate something else to prevent a misunderstanding and at the expense of enjoying your dinner. Congrats on being morally strong and considerate of someone's feelings. I think part of having a clear conscience is being able to say something bothers you when you know it's ok to feel that way and you know you can do say something tactfully to fix the problem.

In this situation I would have quietly spoken to the manager and left. The reason I would have left is that I would wonder if the server spit in my food after I said something to the manager lol. I'm sure he wouldn't do that but that's what I would be thinking. The meal is ruined either way so why put myself through it.

I did eat at a fast food restaurant and the young man at the register had long painted finger nails. I wasn't expecting this when I handed him my money. He seemed very shy and fragile so I said hey man nice finger nails. He smiled and said thanks. If he was my son I would want the world to be nice to him too.

Name the restaurant. It would be a public service. Walk out. It's your choice.

I liked reading this thread.
I agree with most of the comments although the BLM mask would not have upset me.
But I have to agree with the person who said they would not last long before the beans were in the customers lap.
Just as I have seen bad service I have also seen bad manners from diners. I fear that I would be tipping the beans on someone’s head.
But long nails - no no no.

Tricky situation. My friend is a nurse and there is no question that long nails may harbor bacteria, that is why you do not see nurses with long nails. It is difficult enough to clean bacteria from under your nails even if they are short and now with this virus thing, do you think that person is using a brush? Don’t think so. You will live but a call to the restaurant manager is warranted.

I quit a restaurant in Ohio because of that it maybe their right to look like that , but I don't have to eat there

Eat at home

Without naming the restaurant, Mr or Mrs Happinow have accomplished NOTHING by posting this rant .

However , maybe they are <happier now> ! ;)

It’s unbelievably incredible how someone could be so disgusted and grossed out , yet they chose to stay and eat their meal anyway !!! :faint:

Ok. His hair was pulled back. Check. Long fingernails like many females have. Check. Piercings, so? Check. BLM mask. NEVER. Im out the door in a heartbeat with no explanation. I wont have someones ideals shoved down my throat

I prefer to see servers wearing gloves and a mask. And I want everyone in the kitchen to be wearing a mask and gloves, too.

Racist or political masks or clothing should not be allowed on property. You should have complained to the manager and left.

Yes totally gross! Makes me uncomfortable anywhere, but the server! I would have talked to the manager and if need be, I would go to the general manager. Sometimes the owner is around even of the chain restaurants ( franchises). Some corporations will ignore unless the complaint has gone up the chain of command. I do believe our voices should be heard in a very nice and to the point way. In some cases the manager is wanting this complaint, so they can take action. They will go the last mile with a customer being the problem but an employee is at times another story. If this gross appearance is at our tables, what’s going on behind the scenes? Oh by the way, what did corporate say?

what restaurant?

Hiring issues..we have noticed that at other restaurants as well...sad

Companies, especially food service, should provide masks like Publix masks on their employees. Or have an across the board / all sex rules like white or grey masks only and nails with only clear polish and closely trimmed.
Then employees know what is acceptable and customers are not upset by these things. Employers are allowed to have standards so they need to set uniform standards. They drop the ball when they don’t especially in the food service industry.
Let the haters now hate.
P.S. I lean towards being liberal.

so, other than the nails, hat. specifically do you have against male servers?

right on!

Funny but I’ve never heard a man refer to a female’s long nails as being a hygienic issue. If they were dirty advise the manager and ask for another server. If they weren’t then you might have a phobia. If thattthe case, the problem is on you and not the server. .

There is gross stuff under short nails too. The fact that you mentioned the piercings and the BLM mask makes this nothing more than a racist rant. My recommendation is to frequent places of business where the workers look just like you. Younger generations express themselves differently than you do if this bothers you, you have a choice to make. Stay home and cook for yourself or change with the times.

Without naming the restaurant your complaint is not helping the rest of us! This PC attitude, 'I don't want to hurt anyone's FEELINGS' and being nice to the world stuff is how we get no results. I am not saying be nasty, but you have a valid issue and in order for it to have any results it's worthless.

Would a MEGA hate have bothered you? As the OP said, we go out to dinner to enjoy ourselves and relax and to escape the everyday nonstop decisiveness that has split our country in half. Masks and hats of this nature should be left out of the work place. Regarding the nails where is the barf bag.

People asking for the name of the restaurant— it means nothing. You may not even have the same server. Why ruin the rep of a place because of one experience? You ate your dinner, right? Couldn’t have felt THAT sick. IMO, you should have spoken up and asked for another server the minute his appearance affected you.Or you could have spoken to the manager the minute the food was served, refuse the meal, and leave.

Yes. I think they are hideous.

One would think that the County Health Dept that oversees and monitors restaurants would have policy against what OP describes. OP, I would contact the County Health Dept. As a follow up let us know what they say.

Poor restaurant management to hire servers who do not look pleasing and have a demeanor suitable to the patrons.

This is the non-conformance attitude of the time we live in. When I got jobs some of them had rules regarding dress, behavior, language,etc. if you wanted the job you complied with the rules. Now we can’t expect anything from anybody. And to make matters worst they have pushed their non-conformist anomalies to the extreme.

So your objection could have been over come at the time in 3 ways.

1. Leave
2. Ask the manage for a different server
3. Ask the manager to have tne server wear gloves like the kitchen staff does.

Just because someone disagrees with the BLM mask doesn't make them a racist. Look up the word in the dictionary. It's a misused word by many. BLM is run by 3 Marxists, and is only a front.
Piercings ??? A couple of them may be attractive, but too many of them in different places can be disgusting. Just like tattoos...... So give that poster a break.

i agree with not naming the restaurant. With today's cancel culture, even what some might see as a small problem will be taken by others as a reason to boycott with the intent of driving away all business. Until society shows it can again keep things in perspective I would be very reluctant to call out people or places by name.

If I understand the forum statistics correctly, this thread has been viewed nearly 4,300 times. This seems like it has been pretty effective at getting the word out even if the particular restaurant was not named. An owner or manager among those 4,300 might recognize the description and make changes at their establishment. This thread might result in some changes without naming and shaming the restaurant.

I question whether there was any real problem anyway. If the OP was servered by Shay, the new 22 year old waitress with the long blond hair held back with sparkly clips, earrings, and nicely painted fingernails would there have been any concern? While I don't agree that there was a problem, I do appreciate the way the OP handled it: expressing their opinion to corporate but keeping the name of the restaurant out of these posts.