On Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:09:20 -0800 (PST), David Downing wrote:

I recently asked out a barmaid/waitress at a restaurant I go to
regularly, and she declined, saying that they have a rule against
dating customers. I was subsequently told that the entire hospitality
industry imposes this rule, Can anyone explain the rationale for this
rule to me?

It's an informal "rule" invented by the servers. Servers are the
most hit upon people in society, and this is their standard
explanation to avoid having to tell you're they're not even
slightly interested in the likes of you.

That's the rule.

-sw