help with server conundrum

[d_r]

This isn't a tipping question. Let me say I always tip well. And I'm a friendly person and joke with servers and have good interactions.

And this is probably just me and it is my problem.

But it creeps me out when the server puts their thumb in my plate. Like last night we took the kids to a casual chain restaurant. I got a salad, and it came in one of those casual chain restaurant salad bowl/plates, and the server is gripping it by the edge with his thumb just hanging in my salad.

It creeps me out.

Is it just me?

Is there not another way that they can carry those things? I think it is because they are carrying so many plates all lined up on their arms.

Could they just use a tray? Put the bowl with a plate underneath?

But the conundrum is this. How can I communicate that? I tipped the guy a little over 20%. I'd be aghast to say anything. Is there a way to communicate that its creepy to me and I wish they wouldn't do it without being a jerk? Without getting the poor guy in trouble? I know he's just doing his job and I appreciate that.

Is there a way to communicate that?

[Nye Bevan]

1. A quiet word with the manager.

Don't kick up any kind of a stink, just say that a gentle reminder about this to the waitstaff is in order.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

2. ^^^this^^^ n/t

[d_r]

3. you don't think

it would get the server in trouble?

I guess the "quiet" part is the important thing.

[Nye Bevan]

5. Yeah, you don't need to tell the manager which server you had.

Might be best to call a few days later so that the manager cannot figure out which server it was.

[d_r]

8. that's actually a really good idea.

I think I'm going to think about every restaurant I may go to in the next year and start calling the managers telling them that story. A public service project.

[1awake]

4. Do what I do and divert your eyes from noticing.

I'm joking... sorta. I would say something but not necessarily at that time. I would do it in a way that it could not come back at that specific wait staff.

[d_r]

9. I know what you mean

and I try but I just get stuck steely glazed on it with a frozen smile.

[snooper2]

6. Oh, That kind of server lol

I was just going to tell you to trash it and go with a new IBM blade server- thought you were working or something

[d_r]

7. heh, awesome nt

[MineralMan]

10. I'd just re-boot that server.

That usually does the trick.

[sadoldgirl]

11. I would actually tell

the server in a quiet way while giving him/her the tip. Just in a form of a gentle hint. That way you can avoid the manager completely.

[steve2470]

12. and here I thought you meant a computer server

Carry on. I agree with quietly telling the manager.

[seveneyes]

13. It's when they lick my mashed potatos off their finger that get me

Always good for a free desert tho.