3. “I don’t see it on the menu, but can you make me ______?”

The menu has one purpose. Literally, one purpose. Use it.

4. “What’s your real job?”

Plenty of people make their living waiting tables, and that makes it a real job.

5. “Can you change the music?”

Your server probably has no control over the music that is being piped in and, if he does, then he already chose what he wants to listen to. Anyway, do you go into your friend’s house and immediately plug in your iPod?

7. “Can we sit over there instead of here?”

There is a method to the hostess’ madness. But if you insist on asking this, do it before you sit down, place your order, and eat half of your food.

8. “What do you have?”

Again, we have a menu. Again, you should be using it.

10. “If I’m allergic to gluten, what can I eat?”

You should know your own restrictions, but your server can answer more specific questions.

11. “Can you put a rush on my food?”

You are not more important than the people who ordered before you.

12. “Can I get a little extra liquor in my drink?”

If you’re willing to pay for it, you surely can. Because that’s basically ordering a second drink.

13. “Can I substitute the tomatoes in my salad for chicken instead?”

There is no restaurant in the world where diced tomato is an equal substitution for grilled chicken. Accept that.

14. “Is it okay if we sit here for a few more hours even though we paid our check and we don’t want anything else?”

Servers make money by rotating their tables and if you hold it for too long, they lose out. So, is it okay if you slowly deplete your server’s future earnings?

15. “What should I tip?”

Most servers are not allowed to discuss tips, but if they were they would tell you to tip at least 20% of your bill.

16. “What’s the weather like out on the patio?”

Presumably, it’s the same weather that you just experienced before you walked into the restaurant. Five seconds ago.

17. “Do I get something for free since it’s my birthday?”

What are you? 5?

18. “Can you charge my iPhone for me?”

Your server can do this if you’re okay with your iPhone sitting in a random side-stand without anyone watching it while pitchers of water and dirty plates get thrown around it.

19. “Can I get this teeny, tiny last bite of food wrapped up in a to-go container?”

Save your server the trouble, save the environment from another piece of Styrofoam, and just eat that last bite.

20. “Do you have a restroom?”

Of course we do. This is a restaurant. What you want to know is “where” it is.