Not in the service industry, someone I know who does has once said they don't like people returning their coffee mugs because it makes it look like they aren't doing their jobs

Think that might just be a him thing though

The thought is nice but sometimes guests did things that created inconveniences. I'd prefer it if customers let us take care of it ourselves.

Please don't put your straw wrapper or paper napkins in your drink cup. I can pour the ice/liquid into the drain but have to fish out the soggy paper bits.

Not at all! I used to wait tables, and I always appreciated it when people did that. It shows that they care about helping to clear the table and make the process smoother for the staff. It also gives us a little head start when we come to clear the dishes. Of course, it’s important not to stack them too high or in a way that makes it hard to carry, but a little effort to tidy up is always appreciated!

I’ve worked as a bar staff member/bartender so kinda similar role and I always found it super respectful, considerate and convenient when people tidied themselves up esp as our job is constantly on the go and so often, esp in busy hours, it’s practical impossible to be fully tidy in those hours and so it really does make our job so much easier when customers do that esp as in my job, I often have to deal with seriously difficult customers and stuff, which can make things super time consuming and straight up annoying esp as other customers are waiting as well to be served.

I worked at one of the most high end restaurants in my city for a few years. It felt wonderful when someone stacked plates, because the majority of customers expected every little thing to be removed as soon as they finished. I always stack my dishes now, and put all the garbage on the top plate (never in a cup, cause the ice gets dumped in a different place)

I Bussed tables a long time ago. Plate stacking was helpful if the patron did it as plates only, but some patrons try handing you a stack of plates that have silverware sandwiched in between and it makes it precarious

Nah, I love when people stack plates. Makes my life easier

It's not rude at all!

It's best if you stack similar plates together and put the silverware on top or leave it separately. Its also hekpful to have any leftover food on the top plate rather than smushed in the middle. If all the dishes are different shapes, biggest on the bottom like a pyramid.

At the restaurant I worked, we had a bun for compost, trash, and recycle. So it could be helpful to keep trash out of the food scraps still on the plates. Please don't leave trash in the cups, because we have to fish it out. Water is heavy and we can't just throw out all the ice with the straw wrappers and the wrappers can't go down the sink.

People consider it to be trashy, despite the fact that it's actually helpful, and it tidies up the table if the waiter is busy. I think it's considered poor etiquette because rich snobs would never perform the tasks of the paid servants. Those tasks are beneath them. So if you want to be seen as fancy, you need to act as if they're beneath you as well.

There is often very limited table space and stacking the dishes can be more about making room than server convenience.

That said, obviously don't be dumb about it. Stack dishes properly and maybe stick the utensils in a cup so they aren't at risk of falling during transport.