I’ll tell on myself. I was an awful server, but I was 19 and in shape. I made good tips and it paid for books, food and the extras, in college. I worked at a little bbq place, truly small restaurant; however, people loved the place. The owners were two Russian brothers – we later learned that they weren’t filing taxes and all of the stuff we though they were doing. from fake pay stubs, fake w-2s – the works – long story on that end!
Anyway, they always had one night that was all-you-can-eat and it was packed! A lot of beer was served, as well as the food. They bought plastic beer mugs, but not the weight that restaurants can buy to weight the mug down, to keep the patrons from spilling their beers, easily. (not sure they are still made that way) I was pretty good about warning people, so they wouldn’t douse themselves in beer, but I forgot this one night. My section had a lot of loud rowdy guys and I was getting annoyed. The one guy had really hit my last nerve, so I forgot to warn him about the mug. I took about 3 steps away, knew he was tipsy and sure enough, beer – everywhere. I went back, apologized and said I was so sorry I forgot to warn him – and brought him beer and napkins.
He didn’t seem annoyed and still left a tip. I will say that was my only “on purpose” accident as a server. I didn’t do things to food or anything weird. I just wasn’t a great server. I got your food there, but spilled tea, while pouring it. Couldn’t carry a lot at one time…but I would take things off the bill! :)