I hate lettuce. I don’t like the way it smells when it is warm, the way it “crunches” in my mouth when it is cold, or the way it is piled on the plate when it is served. Every time we visit my husband’s brother in Denver, we always manage to eat out before returning to our home in Summit County. We’ve practiced this routine for over 20 years now. We have eaten at some of the so-called “finest” restaurants Denver has to offer, only to be disappointed in the lousy service. And not only do we get lousy service, I GET LETTUCE ON MY PLATE NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN!

I’ve decided that there must be some new “idea” about hiring waiters and waitresses. It looks almost like these restaurant owners grab employees from where ever they can, give them as little training as possible, pay them as little as possible, and after they soon quit, start the process all over again. From what I’ve seen, this new “idea” sounds about right. Great way to run a business!

What these restaurant owners need to understand is that one must speak English, not only because they are in an English speaking country, but because “lettuce” is not a hard word. Lettuce is eaten in nearly every country on earth and if I don’t want lettuce on my plate, I should be able to say the words “no lettuce” and have them understood by the waiter or waitress.

Restaurants in Summit County are very much different than Denver. It is quite normal in our restaurants to see the owner working right along side of his waiters and/or waitresses. Sometimes the service might be a bit slow because of the crowds, but the waiters and waitresses are always serving with smiles on their faces. I would classify the majority of them as friendly people. Often, if you are waiting for your table, you are served drinks, compliments of the owners or managers. I will say, overall, eating in Summit County is generally a good experience.

So, what about my lettuce problem? No, I have never had a problem with lettuce on my plate in the restaurants in Summit County. Waiters and waitresses here seem to understand what “no lettuce” means. The concept of having no lettuce on a plate does not seem difficult for them at all.

To conclude my “lettuce” and restaurant gripes, I would like to say, next time you visit a restaurant in Summit County, Colorado, please remember to tip your waiter or waitress well.  They work hard up here during difficult times, especially during ski season.