Working in a fast-paced restaurant environment is no easy feat, especially on a chaotic Saturday night. With orders flying in, customers waiting, and the general buzz of a busy shift, it takes a lot to stay grounded and focused. But then, you have moments that make you shake your head—like when a delivery driver decides they’re the centre of the universe.
The situation started while I was bagging up a click-and-collect order. We have a process for this: go through each item with the customer to make sure their order is correct. It’s a simple but essential step to avoid any mix-ups or complaints later. While I was in the middle of helping the customer, a delivery driver started interrupting me, insisting that the bag I was handling was his.
I told him, politely but firmly, that I was dealing with a customer and he would have to wait his turn. But he kept going on about it, as if his impatience would magically make me prioritize him. I repeated myself—he would have to wait until I finished with the customer. Still, he didn’t stop. At that point, I decided to ignore him and focus on the task at hand. The customer came first.
Once I finished with the customer, I turned my attention to the driver. I asked for his number, confirmed the number of bags, and ensured everything matched the order. Job done, right? Well, not quite. As I moved back to my hosting duties, the driver decided to have a go at me. He started saying I could have cost him a parking fine because I made him wait. It sounded less like frustration and more like he was trying to tell me off—as if I was the reason he chose to park in a way that might get him fined.
Here’s the thing: I get that delivery drivers have a tough job. Parking is often a nightmare, and time is money. But at the end of the day, it’s their choice where and how they park. No one is forcing them to park on double yellow lines or pavements. If they’re taking that risk, it’s on them—not me, not the restaurant, not anyone else. Just like I’ve chosen my job and its challenges, they’ve chosen theirs.
What’s frustrating is the lack of respect and understanding. In a busy environment, everyone has their role to play, and I can only do so much. My priority is the customer I’m currently dealing with, and I won’t rush through an order or skip steps just to appease someone who can’t wait their turn. I’m also not going to stress the kitchen staff further by nagging them unnecessarily when they’re already under pressure. It’s a balancing act, and I’m doing my best to keep things running smoothly.
That night, despite the stress and the driver’s attitude, I stuck to my process. I kept my focus on what I could control: getting the orders right and maintaining professionalism, even when I wanted to tell the driver to back off. It wasn’t easy, but my personal rules kept me grounded: do what I can, when I can, and screw the rest. Those rules don’t make the stress disappear, but they help me manage it and keep moving forward.
At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to do our jobs. But mutual respect goes a long way in making things easier for everyone. Delivery drivers have their challenges, and I have mine. The difference is, I’m not blaming anyone else for the realities of my job. It would be nice if that courtesy was mutual.
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