I’m thrilled to announce that I will be appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show this Wednesday, October 15th! The show is titled “Are You Rude? Take the Test!” and I’ll be on stage with Oprah discussing the finer points of restaurant etiquette gleaned from my book Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip – Confessions of a Cynical Waiter.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Ms. Winfrey and all the staff at Harpo Productions for making my stay in Chicago such a memorable experience. My only regret is that I didn’t get to jump up and down on the couch! Maybe next time……
Click on this link to view the the actual air times for your area! Set your DVRs and TIVOs everybody! I know my Mom will!
wow first? anyway good for you its time you start to mingle with others of your “status”…lol don’t let it get to your head
Man, Oprah? You’ve officially moved beyond the status of “internet celebrity”.
hey waiter…good for you…sorry to say i refuse to watch oprah anything…but thumbs up to you !
Ohmygod! Oprah! That’s huge! Congrats Steve – that’s like serious stuff you have going there man. Hope it works out well! Don’t get nervous. 😉
I feel like I can say “I knew you when” – wow! Oprah? You’ve made it big time. So proud of you.
Congratulations!
I hope someone can rip this online for those of us without DVRs!
You know, this may sound silly because I don’t know you personally, but I’m so proud of you! I’m also very happy for you!
Your blog has been a constant source of enjoyment and inspiration for me for several years, and I thank you.
holy SHIT that’s awesome.
I agree with Casey. I’m in Aus and goodness knows when it might air here. Congratulations.
Oprah! You’ve totally hit the big time!! Congrats. My DVR will be set and ready to go!
Wow! Who’d have thought that you could go from a great blogger to a celebrity so fast… Well done!
You wondered if you were doing well? If yes, now, you are settled. 🙂
That is SO awesome! You really need to make a post about the experience though. PLEASE!!!!!!!
Congrats! I’ll let my mom know so she can watch it as well.
Good thing I record Oprah by default. I’m so excited for you!
Holy crap, Oprah is one big marketing machine. Your book will be sold out everywhere. She can be annoying but she sure can make you some big bucks if she likes you! Congrats!
When this goes back to ranting about work it’ll be more enjoyable than BOOKADVERTISEMENTBLOG
I just finished your book it was fantastic the ac chapter going down had me in stitches because I lived it. I got out 3 years ago and sometimes miss it but your book reminded me why I left. I wish you all the best and I’m so proud of you and I don’t even know you!
Good Luck,
Michelle
While I’m THRILLED for your success (no, really. Your book is even going on my christmas/birthday wishlist)
…I read for the stories of what shitheads customers are, not publicity updates.
Wow, that really is THE big time! But don’t forget us little guys – you’re big because you write for us. Throw us a crumb or two!
Did you get a chance to try REAL Chicago-style pizza? mmmmm…
WOW! At times like this I wish I were living the states again so I could watch you on TV!
Congrats 🙂
Congratulations Steve! 🙂
Holy Crap!
I will definitely watch!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
~Shanna
What I like is that it is your writing that is bringing you what you want. Was it Sondra Ray who said ‘do what you want and the money will follow?” Well, whoever said it, you are the living example of it. P>S> don’t mind the haters who want you to be only a waiter. Your life is a good example for all of us.
Man oh man,you gonna be RICH! Now you go and get yourself something kind to your feet 🙂
congrats Steve. I agree we need details of the experience!
Congratulations! That’s certainly a woman who knows how to move some books
Yay! Congrats! Oprah…you have officially made it! hehehehe
Tips will improve all over the viewing areas!
I am looking forward to the stories!
I have been reading your blog for the past 2 years and I am so thrilled for you. Congratulations! I am from India and we get Oprah like a season later , but If you have made it to oprah, You are here to stay!
woohoo for you!!! congrats on oprah!
Big time.
Heading back up the NY Times Bestseller List.
So how much time did it take to get from your original book idea to appearing on Oprah? There must be a universal Oprah constant to which you can compare yourself as a measure of success!!
I’ll watch for sure!
p.s. You have a rockin’ agent.
Hey, here’s an idea for when they make the movie out of your book: Russell Crowe can play you, and YOU can play Russell Crowe.
Sweet synchronicity.
HOLY SHIT FIRE! That’s great!
Talk about phenomenal! Congratulations! Your blog is the reason why I tip – and tip well.
Wow! Congrats. You have really come a long way, and your work is paying off in much success. May you be a porfessional inspiration to all waters.
This is fantastic,Am so thrilled for you.You are living the dream man! We get Oprah in Sweden but we are behind,will keep my eyes open for it.
Waiter! I hardly ever comment but I just had to say congratulations!!! Your show is going to be awesome I’m sure.. and be prepared for your book sales to get the “Oprah treatment”!!!!
Woah! Oprah! Go you!
Haha. I feel the same way Lori.
Xtine –
I’ll say this slowly for you…
He isn’t a waiter anymore.
We all miss the waiter stories, so when I get nostalgic for stories about how shitty people can be, I just read his comments.
Thanks for satisfying.
Not waiting on tables anymore! Treating people fairly should be universal.
Congrats!
http://underthesheets-shhh.blogspot.com/
Holy Fuck! Amazing! Jeez. Your book is gonna blow up even bigger! Your life is gonna change! I can’t stop typing exclamation points! You go! Keep going! Run, Steve, Run!
Oprah? Geez what’s next? Rosie O’Donnell? Oh, that’s right, that fugly pig-dog militant rug munching misandrist doesn’t have a show any more 😉 LMAO
Did you get to mention something about how yes, you are supposed to tip on wine? If I hear one more idiot say “I don’t tip on wine because Oprah said you don’t have to” I’ll scream!
Oh wow, Oprah!! Congrats, Waiter!!
Congratulations….I’m sure your book will be a hit and when back from China I will look into purchasing it.
Question for you? Do you ever talk about the waiters who are rude to the patrons?
Perhaps another book…
Holy crap. I’ve been reading you for a long time……Oprah?
Who woulda thunk it?
You totally deserve your good fortune (you worked your ass off for it)-I hope the ride lasts a *long* time:-)
How exciting! This blog come such a long way since I’ve been reading from pretty much the beginning – well done! xox
Congratulations. I just read your book and it is worth reading at that.
Wow! Two of the blogs I follow are about to collide! There’s you, of course, dear Waiter, and the “Living Oprah” blog. Cool!
Awesome!! DVR is set and I can’t wait to watch!
Good for you! I love Oprah. And the world needs some lessons in manners, so thanks for doing your part!
I wonder how Oprah tips?
That’s pretty major! I’m a Concierge in Chicago, wish I would have known so I could recommend some places for you to try. And you have to mention in your next book proper tipping for us 😉
Congrats!
awesome-o
but my cup spillith over with jealousy…..
hey waiter, i saw your book at Kinokuniya Bookstore in Singapore where I live! Yay!!
Waiter, thats fantastic man!!
I dont suppose someone could youtube the Oprah clip, I dont think I have ever watched Oprah (not so big here in Aus) but would be great to see the water in action.
Well done sir!!
*cough*
“the waiter in action.”
🙂
Well done waiter
WOW! That’s good karma..finally!
That’s awesome!
I don’t have a DVR – so I’m hoping someone will be posting a youtube of you on there!
Been reading your stuff since the beginning, really great to see things work out so well for you. Best wishes, and congrats! You deserve every bit of success that’s came (and coming) your way!
Holy crap, that is awesome! I’m so pleased for you!
were you able to enjoy any of the fine cuisine in chicago?? we have some really great restaurants, even in the west loop where harpo studios are!!
Mary beat me to the question! I wish we would’ve known you were in Chicago!
That is great news! I’ve been a blog reader for the past two years want to say “Congratulations and here’s wishing you much more success”.
Just write the stuff you’ve become famous for, and quit tootin’ the horn….Since you’re no longer in the business, I guess fresh stuff will become a rarity..?
Hey, that is so awesomely cool! Congratulations many times. I read Oprah magazine, don’t normally watch, but will definitely try to catch you, can’t wait. This is so great for you. Keep writing dude!
Wow!! This could be my first time watching Oprah… You’re just unstoppable, man. What’s next? Steve for President?
To the people complaining in this section, well it must be kinda hard writing about shitty customers when you’re in fact no longer waiting tables… what do you expect Steve to do, make stuff up? I am sure he’s been gathering enough material lately, what with the travels and the shows… there has to be another book in there. “Waiter goes global”. Of course I imagine that before even trying to write about celebrities and public figures, one would need a good lawyer…
Just thought you’d like to know. Your book has been given a full page treatment in an Australian newspaper today. The Age food/restaurant supplement “Epicure” has done a feature on it…Quite good it was too.
I can’t help but think about all those folks you worked for – the things you said.. ‘if they could see me now!’ (and ya know they do!) Have you heard from any of them? Are they angry? Are they flattered? I’d like to see a post about some of the reactions you are undoubtedly getting from your former coworkers and bosses. 🙂
I’m so proud – and like the others, I like that I ‘knew you when’. we all can take at least a tiny bit of the credit – if we didn’t make Waiterrant so popular .. where would he be? (but he had ‘the right stuff’ no doubt!)
Enjoy living this fantastic dream!
wait a minute… you didn’t delete your old entries so people would read your book, did you?
I was in the break room at work today and a commercial for the upcoming episode came on the tv. I saw you for a split second and yelled “it’s Steve!” and then had to explain my outburst to my coworkers. There will now be a few more people picking up your book. 🙂 Congratulations
Holy cow, Oprah? I know you find it hard to believe just how whirlwind this experience has become, but you deserve it all. Good Karma is coming back to ya!
Enjoy the ride, pay the bills, put a little (okay, a lot) away, and enjoy the fruits of all your labors.
Seriously, congrats to you and all your success.
Congratulations on all the success, Steve! My copy of the book arrived a few days ago, and I read it over the weekend–excellent work, and I’m looking forward to the next one. 🙂
Good news, everyone (to quote a certain Professor)!
So…now are you gonna blog about being waited on?
Congratulations! This is so exciting and I hope you are enjoying every minute of it.
I am very happy for you!
wow! you’ve come a long way, waiter =D congrats! really happy for u!
p/s: i dun get oprah on regular channels here, would u post it on youtube???
Hi ,
I was reading ur blog posts and found some of them to be very good.. u write well.. Why don’t you popularize it more.. ur posts on ur blog ‘waiter rant’ took my particular attention as some of them are interesting topics of mine too;
BTW I help out some ex-IIMA guys who with another batch mate run http://www.rambhai.com where you can post links to your most loved blog-posts. Rambhai was the chaiwala at IIMA and it is a site where users can themselves share links to blog posts etc and other can find and vote on them. The best make it to the homepage!
This way you can reach out to rambhai readers some of whom could become your ardent fans.. who knows.. 🙂
Cheers,
Wow – big time indeed! Congrats to you, that is quite an achievement!
Well you’ve hit the big time now kid! I am so happy for you. You’re like the little engine “who could”.
Remember when you walk out on that stage, that all of us who had a dream and pursued it with dogged determination – we walk out there with you. Proud of you and cheering you on. Hold your head high for us. Clay
Back up the money truck! Congrats on the appearance.
Come to think of it surely the only thing left now will be Jerry Springer????
You could be on with past customers under the heading “Lousy Tippers”
Anyway congrats again and all the best.
AWESOME! Takes people years to get on Oprah, if ever, so this is a great turnaround time as well as opportunity. So is she as nice as she seems? Give you a little speal to help you remain relaxed and prepared for the show? What does she talk about during commercials or do they even really break for those when shooting? Come on, come on, out w/it!
Every time a book is featured on Oprah we have the Oprah ladies at the door to the bookstore the very next morning buying it all up.
I know we have about 10 copies of Waiter Rant, I hope it’s enough.
Enough. already. Please give us stories, not ads.
I am happy for your success, but i agree with Dee: it’s your stories, not your popularity, that make me want to read your blog.
hey!!! I just saw you on oprah!! good job you were great!!!!
Just caught you on Oprah (taped it and watched it on my lunch hour) and you were fabulous. Definately more interesting to watch than the Dr. Congratulations and way to go. Love your stories and writing and can’t wait to read more. Don’t forget that’s what this all started as.
Eeek! Just saw you on Oprah! Thanks for continuing to stand up for servers everywhere! 🙂
You did great!! Fun to see your face. I had no idea what to expect. You’re a cutie!
Congratulations! May your book sales grow exponentially. Oh wait, you’re still on … gotta go.
Great Job, Waiter!!!
Can you believe the one woman? She gets mad if you let her drink go empty, but she gets pissed if you top it off? She needs to order to go.
thank you thank you! that was great! people really dont understand what it means to be a server and now hopefully since a lot of people watch oprah, we’ll see if it helps. i doubt it but its a start!
Awesome for you!
I was doing some paperwork and left the TV on, heard Oprah talking about being rude and thought to myself “she needs to talk to some restaurant folks like Waiter or me…”
POOF! There you are!
Nice work!
Congratulations Mr. Steve Dublanica!!
I’m currently watching you on Ms. Oprah Winfrey’s Show. Perusing your blog has been added to my “to do list.”
Sir, I applaud you.
Manchild
congrats! i plan on following the blog from now on. great job on oprah! both my daughters work in restaurants. i hear their stories all of the time. i plan to tell them about you.
When I read blogs a voice for the blogger finds it’s way into my head. I was convinced that the voice I gave you would be totally off. I thought I would be slightly disappointed. I was pleasantly surprised to find the voice I gave you was very close to the actual way you sound.
Good job! Was interesting. Oprah saved the best for last. 😉
Waiter. Rant: Oprah? Oprah! Askin’ her questions and stuff? Being cool as a cucumber and stuff? Being all smart and funny and stuff?
You’ve made Aunt Bossy proud!
Watching you right now!! AWESOME!!!
Congrats!!
You better have gievn that crazy person the thousand yard waiter stare when the camera wasn’t on!!
I just finished Oprah and I was so happy to see/hear you on there! I was applauding, so thankful to hear the things I’ve always felt and thought while working in restaurants being spoken aloud for all to hear! Thank you thank you thank you!
Just watch the Oprah episode… I’d never heard of this website or the book before, but I’m definitely going to buy it now! I’m a server in Dallas and my co-workers and I are constantly griping about how terribly we’re treated! Thanks for speaking up for all of us! Hopefully we’ll start seeing more gracious guests in our restaurants… everyone knows Oprah can make a difference!
Found your site via the Oprah show – loved it and love the site! I’ve already been reading the archives 🙂
What is a person to do if a customer is getting bad service? Do we still have to pay your wage for that? Just wondering since it seems that getting “bad service” is more of the norm.
Regarding your comment on Oprah about seating. I understand restaurants get busy, I also understand that people with children go out to eat. If I am seated next to children that are not under control – talking/whining/crying – I will ask for another table. Something to think about when the hostess is seating customers. Yes, it’s your job to do the best you can do. But I am the one paying for the dinner, so if it means sitting next to a noisy child, I will request another table. I am quite polite about it. It’s just a trend that could be managed a bit better. Either that, or provide gags for the noisy kids.
I saw the ad the other day, just a snippet without showing your face. I knew it was you!
You’re on right now!
Saw you on Oprah earlier today – I am so proud! You were so cool and collected and funny. It’s great to see you doing so well!
I am not usually an Oprah watcher but for the Waiter, I made sure to tune in. You looked and sounded smart as always! Congratulations on making it big! You gotta be big to be on Oprah, y’know.
Have been reading since the beginning, and made sure to buy the book since it came out.
I never thought I’d say this, but I’ll be finding the clip asap…
‘Wondering if you took the opportunity to address her “Financial Crisis 101” show…
So, Oprah’s answer to saving money in tough economic times is to tip your server or bartender 10%? I’m wondering if Oprah is aware that most restaurant employees, excluding management, make $2.13/hr?? Is Oprah also aware that the government anticipates that tips received by restaurant employees, combined with this hourly rate, are expected to meet or exceed minimum wage? Apparently, Oprah is also unaware that, if an employee’s tips plus the $2.13/hr don’t meet, or exceed, the minimum wage, the company is liable for the difference.
First, I am appalled (yes, I said “appalled”) that Ms. Winfrey would encourage her viewers to take money out of their friends’ and neighbors’ pockets, instead of recognizing that the current economic crisis is something we are all experiencing. Second, I am concerned (not quite the word I want…) that Ms. Winfrey is woefully out of touch with how small businesses drive the American economy. Taking income away from any restaurant’s core staff takes money away from that company.
Let me set the record straight, from my perspective, of course. Service employees are some of the hardest working people in this country. Having 21 years experience in this industry, I present that as fact, not opinion. Servers do not see a paycheck, unless they work for a company that includes all tips in that paycheck. Most servers take their tips home daily/nightly, receive a $0.00 paycheck, and pay taxes on their declared income every spring. Standard tip percentage these days hovers around 18%. Most employers require that you declare at least 15%. If you tip your server 10%, they are paying to serve you. They are being taxed on 15% of their sales. A ten percent tip then turns, in the real world, into a much lower percentage.
While I would love to tell Ms. Winfrey to her face that if she can’t see fit to tip appropriately for services received, she should sit her happy a** down on her couch until she hears the “ding” of her microwave dinner, even I recognize that my words would fall on deaf ears. And while I thank God every day that the majority of my friends are not in Ms. Winfrey’s viewing audience and couldn’t give a rat’s a** what she recommends, I am intensely aware of the sway she has over her fans.
Having recognized her influence, one would think she’d be a bit more universally responsible with her “advice”. Not that I’m diminishing the importance of dieting on Acai Berries or the inherent value in exploiting the majority of Americans’ insecurities for ratings. I’m wondering if she understands that if her entire viewership is now ardently following her advice, which they too often do, she has just effectively cut IN HALF the income of approximately 13.1 million Americans and potentially cut the feet out from under one of the largest private-sector employers in the country.
you looked great on Oprah, steve.
thanks for bringing attention to us in the biz we need all the help we can get
I READ THIS BLOG ALOT, I LIKE THE WRITING, AND IVE READ SOME OF THE BOOK, ID LIKE TO MAKE ONE POINT THO, THERE IS AN OVERRIDING THEME OF THIS BOOK, THE COMPLAINING ABOUT TIPPING, HOW MUCH CUSTOMERS SHOULD GIVE, I HAVE MY OWN THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SUBJECT, FIRST OF ALL, I DONT THINK A WAITERS JOB IS ALL THAT HARD, ALL THEY DO IS TAKE UR ORDER, AND THEN BRING YOUR FOOD TO YOU, FOR THAT THE WAITER WANTS A 20 PERCENT TIP, I THINK THATS BULL SHIET, I MEAN THINK OF IT, WHO IS DOING MOST OF THE WORK IN A RESTAURANT, ITS NOT THE WAITERS, ITS MOSTLY THE COOKS IN THE KITCHENS AND THE MEXICANS THAT DO ALL THE HARD WORK, IF I HAD IT MY WAY, I WOULD TIP THE COOKS AND PEOPLE IN THE KITCHEN 15 PERCENT, THE WAITER MEBBE 5 PERCENT AND WAITERS SHOULD BE HAPPY WIT THAT AMOUNT, ALSO, TO ME PEOPLE THAT SHOULD ALSO GET A TIP ARE WORKERS THAT WORK IN FAST FOOD, LIKE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT MCDONALDS, THOSE PEOPLE NEVER GET ANY TIPS, AND ARENT EVEN ALLOWED TO ACCEPT TIPS, AND THEY ARENT THE CRY BABIES THESE WAITERS ARE, I THINK FAST FOOD WORKERS WORK MUCH HARDER THEN WAITERS, AND FINALLY, IF WAITERS DONT LIKE WAT I HAVE TO SAY, GET A BETTER PAYING JOB AND STOP CRYING FOR MORE MONEY, WHEN BASICALLY U DONT DO THE REAL HARD WORK.
Any chance of uploading it anywhere, for your fans from overseas?
You obviously have never been a server to say that our job “is not that hard.” Being a server is a lot of work.. you have to know how to mulit-task and try not to forget about anyone in the process. I think that you saying to tip servers FIVE PERCENT is bullshit. The cooks, yes make the food but they aren’t dealing with the customers and their attitudes when their food does not come out right or their drinks are not filled in an appropriate amount of time. Not only do cooks make minimum wage, but WAY ABOVE THAT. Usually it’s at least 12-14 dollars an hour. Maybe you should work in a restaraunt as a server and then talk to me about how easy it is and how we only deserve five percent. Selfish people.
KOCKMASTER – You are an ignorant SOB. When you do not know what you are talking about you need to KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. You also should consider taking a course like English 101. But judging by the content of your entry and the quality (or lack there of) of your entry the closest you’ve ever been to a college campus is walking by a University to catch the city bus.
Uhoh you’ve hit it big now lmao.
OK…..i’ve been a waitress for 39 yrs..and can i write a book HA… I’M SICK OF NASTY PEOPLE..live in south fla. wanta talk about waiters revenge..i”ll probably go to jail..word to all you KNOW-IT-ALL’S that don’t know how to act when dining-out WE DO REMEMBER YOU..and u will never know what you’re truly EATING…!!!!! we do have the last laugh…so make my day…or should i say NITE..happy dining–if you dare..HA
hurray…for the couple that was arrested for NOT leaving a manatory tip..this is a REAL job despite what-ever you pencil pushers think..their isn’t a server in the world that gets up and goes to work saying I”M GOING TO DO A BAD JOB TODAY…we all depend on tips no-matter how small or large thay maybe..no one takes into consideration what that server’s drama in life may-be..sick kid husband or wife walking out on them..you get the idea..the eyes are the windows to the soul..and at times it’s hard to hide personnel problems..and to call in is out of the question..we dont get paid unless we WORK..yet that $4.00 an hr really adds up!!!!! i have steady customers that know immediately if im NOT my BUBBLY-SELF OR DONT FEEL GOOD…so stop your judging and start thinking…not everyones life is as good as yours….
CHRISTMAS DAY IN DELRAY BCH FL..I DO BELIEVE MOST OF THE ANIMALS I WAITED ON YESTERDAY WERE ATHEISTS..NOT ONE PERSON ACKNOWLEDGED THE FACT I WAS WORKING MY BUTT-OFF…ON CHRISTMAS… MY BOSS OVER BOOKED THE RESTRURANT ADDED EXTRA TABLES TO MY STATION WHICH MADE MY STATION A 11 TABLE STATION INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 9..NOT ONE PERSON WISHED ME HAPPY HOLIDAYS..ALL THAY COULD DO WAS COMPLAIN THAT WE WERE SOOO BUSY..AHA YEAHHH..NO-ONE ELSE WAS OPEN..BUT US ..WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE..WERE THAY RAISED BY PACKS OF WOLVES..
Why are you calling atheists animals, anonymous? How rude. Maybe you deserved it all…