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I live in Ogallala and used to waitress at a restaurant in town. I guarantee I was not the person who waited on you nor was the restaurant you went to the one I used to work at. I was polite to all my customers regardless of who they were or whether or not they were going to come back. There was a man who came in every morning, was very demanding and sometimes even rude. He never once left me a tip and still I was never rude to him, I treated him very well. I have a pretty good idea of the restaurant you are talking about. Most of the locals do not go there because we know the service is so bad. Where I used to work, we would have people come in all the time and complain about them. I would have to say that the restaurants in Ogallala do rely on tourism. Summer is our good season. Winters get very long and the money is nothing like it is in the summer. A lot of the locals do not know what how to tip and the out of towners are usually better tippers. There are some exceptions. You are absolutely right that part of a waitress' job is to be friendly and interact with the customers. But it is not fair to base your opinion of an entire town on one restaurant.
I promised myself a while back I wasn't going to say any more on this subject, but vows are made to be broken, right? Yes, I agree with you. I sort of got caught up in that issue, and felt I had to stand up for myself. It got worse and worse on this thread. That was then. Now, unless I am being terribly insulted, or feel very strongly about something on City-Data, I give it two to three responses and then move on. Waitressing is hard work. I value your work, believe me.
I guess my point (which I did make at one time during this discussion), is that one bad experience can really make or break a person's opinion of a place, rightly or wrongly. All people in customer service, as I am myself, need to be aware of that. I have worked in many hospitals, and I have had people say they would never go back to hospital X because of some bad service, and I feel the way you do. You shouldn't judge based on one experience. But people do. So always do your best. I know I try to, and I'm sure you do too.
I agree with some of the other posters about Whiteclay, Nebraska. I mean this town only has bars for the most part because they know they can sell tons of alcohol to the Native Americans who live across the border in South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I am sorry, but I find the entire situation along those Nebraska border towns to be a complete disgrace with many having more bars than some Wisconsin towns. The atmosphere is desolate as well in northern Nebraska. It does not give me a good feeling overall.
I just happened upon this site by accident, but had to let you all know what I believe. I was raised in a little town called Eli, probably not even on most maps anymore. But people live so far apart in western Ne. that we value friendship, and helpfulness. I remember as a small child riding w/ my Dad to Merriman, and finding a car off the road. It had just started to sprinkle, so my Dad pulled over and offered assistance. Told them jokingly he didn't want them soaking up the rain, as it had been very dry. We took them to Merriman where it was determined (back in the 60's) that it would take a week for the parts to come in. Since many small towns had no hotels, my dad took these strangers into our home for a week. They were wonderful people from California, and he was an artist. During their stay, it was discovered that they were driving a foriegn car, so it would take another week for the metric wrenches to come in. So they spent the next week with the mechanic at their house. A short time later we were sent two oil paintings, from the artist in Ca. He was so thankful that we had been so kind and fed, and bedded them - for free. And that was their way to repay us.And we kept up a mailing friendship for years. They painted my school picture that I had sent them. They also painted my older sisters graduation picture. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could paint my other sisters picture. My mother always said you get as good as you give. Maybe your attitude in western Nebraska was met with the attitude given? I live in northeast Nebraska now, and the only complaint I have is the darned humidity, which nothing can be done about. And for those of you who go to western Ne. from big cities, you need to understand that there are more cattle than there are people out there. And you don't have the 24 hour conveniences that you have in the city. It just isn't profitable. There aren't enough people to support 24 hr. stores. And in my opinion, there are less murders - although that is not backed up by facts. One thing I do know is that you have much better roads in eastern ne. because there is more representation than there is for western Ne. One lady said about my Dad " If Harry decides to be your friend - there isn't a darned thing you can do about it!" And that is the way my dad and most of his friends were. Happy, and ready to help anyone. It is a little like they say about the foriegners, if you don't like our country - leave. If you don't like western Ne. - don't go there. But if you have the right mindset, and have an open mind, and find someone with the time to talk, you just might change your mind about western Ne. We like nothing better than a good conversation, and a cup of coffee, or a soda. We just might change your thinking if you take the time to let them change your mind. It's a little like there are good and bad in every race, there are good and bad in ever town, there is good and bad in everything. But if you open your mind up, you might find more good than bad!! As they say "Try it - you just might like it!!"
Oh my goodness, like they wouldn't find a place to buy alcohol if White Clay didn't exist. I lived close to there, they just go where ever they can find it. I don't hear anyone complaining that South Dakota is tempting addicted gamblers into their state. I don't care what it is - if you want it - you will find a way to get it. It may be a beer, a sandwich when you are obese, drugs if you are an addict. If you want it bad enough - you will find a way to get it!!Do you think the spouses and children of the gamblers are very thrilled with the Native American Casinos along the Nebraska borders? A gambler will gamble their pay check the instant they get it - if they want to. Drinking and gambling is something you have to want to quit, and if you don't want to - the whole household suffers. Now there is the shame of it all.
Yes they were they were all Hispanic and most likely some of these poor individuals here trying to make a new life for themselves from their poor living conditions in there own countries and more than likely illegally here. Now they will get to stay at taxpayers expense for the rest of their lives. Nice isn't it.
Sorry, but I live here. And some may have been illegal, but most were legal!! And I knew the brother of one of the "perpetraters" and he is a very charismatic young man. It wasn't their race that made them do what they did - word has it around here it was 5 days on Meth. And that is the undoing of anyone, any community. the deaths were very saddening, and still lives are not back to normal and never will be. As for it being nice that they are staying at taxpayers expense being nice, I doubt it. But I know the familys of the poor people killed, they are the ones you should feel sorry for, not the taxpayers. What about the whites that the taxpayers are paying for who have done the same thing.Why does no one mention them? And I feel it necessary to mention the very sad death of a fine Patrolman who couldn't live with the happenings, who took his own life because he couldn't live with himself. Now that is really very sad - he was a fine Officer!! And I feel very fortunate that we had such a fine county attorney to see this all through!
Every place, every state, has it's good and bad. You just have to look for the good in people, and recognize the bad ones and stay away from them.
Maybe your attitude in western Nebraska was met with the attitude given?
First of all, let me say that was a wonderful story about your dad. He sounds a lot like my dad, may he rest in peace.
Secondly, if you are referring to me, in the above question, I don't really know how many times I have to say this in how many different ways. At a restaurant, the burden is on the staff to provide decent customer service. We merely asked for a table, in the normally polite way we always do. Period. This wasn't a social occasion, it was a business transaction. The restaurant was open for business at the time we entered it. Is it too much to expect that we would be shown a table or politely told to wait while one was made ready? A former waitress even agreed with me. I'm kind of tired of hearing how I must have been rude, that I am closed-minded, etc. The people who are saying that to me are making assumptions that are unwarranted.
What is the worst town in Nebraska you have ever been too? and Why?
For me it has to be.....Laurel, Ne.
Why? We could not find a cafe' that was open at 1:30 p.m.. the truck stop was open, but who wants to eat there.
We ended up at the Pizza Ranch. that was a waiste of money. We had the buffet Which was old food that was there for a while. We asked if they could make some fresh pizza they said yes they would, but it took 45 minutes.
Also the poeple in town were very rude and unhelpful. Next time we are through that way we will just drive on by and stop at Hartington,Ne.
What are some of your worst towns you have been through?
Wow...I would be thankful for someone in a rural town making me a personal homemade pizza. ...Moderator cut: rude
Ya know, pittnurse, I was a waitress at one time and although I understand it is the responsibility of the waitstaff to maintain the positive flow between staff/customer, I surely did not want to wait on people that were rude or had an attitude. I am not implying that you were either rude or had an attitude, I am just adding my two cents to what seems like an endless saga!!
I was always nice to the patrons at the cafe where I worked, whether they were nice to me or not, but I surely did not bend over backwards to help them. I would get what they needed and check on their table in a timely manner, but I would not go above and beyond.
You are right, in the CS industry it is your job to help people and to be as polite as possible and hope that they enjoy your service. Some people cannot be satisfied and no matter how nice you are or how helpful you might be, some poeple are naturally negative and will find something to complain about.
It is no excuse that the waitstaff was having a bad day, she/he should not have been rude. If it was such a bad day that it affects your ability to do your job, do not show up to work or suck it up and smile through it.
Sorry you had a nasty waitress who probably hated her job and could care a less about her tip or the service she provided.
Ya know, pittnurse, I was a waitress at one time and although I understand it is the responsibility of the waitstaff to maintain the positive flow between staff/customer, I surely did not want to wait on people that were rude or had an attitude. I am not implying that you were either rude or had an attitude, I am just adding my two cents to what seems like an endless saga!!
I was always nice to the patrons at the cafe where I worked, whether they were nice to me or not, but I surely did not bend over backwards to help them. I would get what they needed and check on their table in a timely manner, but I would not go above and beyond.
You are right, in the CS industry it is your job to help people and to be as polite as possible and hope that they enjoy your service. Some people cannot be satisfied and no matter how nice you are or how helpful you might be, some poeple are naturally negative and will find something to complain about.
It is no excuse that the waitstaff was having a bad day, she/he should not have been rude. If it was such a bad day that it affects your ability to do your job, do not show up to work or suck it up and smile through it.
Sorry you had a nasty waitress who probably hated her job and could care a less about her tip or the service she provided.
Thank you, MarriedWithoutChildren. I can't believe the response my post generated. Especially the people who assumed I was the one being rude. In my business, too, there are people who just can't be pleased, no matter what. And I am not talking about the ones who are actually sick! It is more like the ones who want a physical for their child ASAP so the child can register for sports at school, stuff like that. We are as nice as we can be, and often do go out of our way to make our patients happy. But sometimes you just can't please 'em all.
Yes they were they were all Hispanic and most likely some of these poor individuals here trying to make a new life for themselves from their poor living conditions in there own countries and more than likely illegally here. Now they will get to stay at taxpayers expense for the rest of their lives. Nice isn't it.
Yes, they were Hispanic. However, only ONE of them was not from here. He was from California, had moved here a few months prior, and befriended the other 3 who were raised in Madison, NE..about 15 miles south of Norfolk. (Their parents came here from Mexico when these boys were very young.) They were NOT illegals. These 4 individuals (only 3 actually went into the bank that day and killed people, the other waited in the car) were hyped up on meth and other drugs.
It was a sad, sad day. National news and all that. But it doesn't make Norfolk a bad place to live. The people are friendly. The worst thing about Norfolk is the lack of jobs, but that's anywhere.
Worst town in Nebraska overall?? NELIGH. (About a 45 mile jaunt west of Norfolk.) I say this because it's jam packed full of snobs. I don't know how they can pack so many A#$%holes in one small town!
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the deaths were very saddening, 
And I feel it necessary to mention the very sad death of a fine Patrolman who couldn't live with the happenings, who took his own life because he couldn't live with himself. Now that is really very sad - he was a fine Officer!! And I feel very fortunate that we had such a fine county attorney to see this all through!
Hmmmm.....pizza....
45 minutes.
...Moderator cut: rude
Rude Attitude
