be a good waitress?

[Damnblackbetty]

i am starting a new job tomorrow serving, which i've never done before and i'm nervous that i am going to drop things and be horrible. any waiters/waitresses have tips of the trade?

 

[dcraz]

i am starting a new job tomorrow serving, which i've never done before and i'm nervous that i am going to drop things and be horrible. any waiters/waitresses have tips of the trade?

I have never been a waiter, but I eat out a lot. By myself, with my family and with clients. I can tell you what I think makes a good wait person as a customer and just as importantly, what makes a bad one.


First and foremost, it has as much to do with attitude and how you approach your customers as it does how you actually do your job.

Things to do. Be pleasant always. Even if you are having a bad day, try to smile. Keep regular eye contact with your tables even if you can’t get by. They will raise their hand and get your attention if they need you. If you are busy, just acknowledge them and get to them as quickly as you can. Be aware. Look at the table you are serving. You will see many signs that can help you anticipate what they need before they even ask. Are they using all the butter, will they need drinks refills soon, more bread, napkins, etc. A happy waiter with a smile that seems interested in doing what they can to make my experience pleasant means a great deal. Have a thick skin. You will encounter some of the rudest people that will abuse and berate you regardless of how well you do your job. Don’t take it personally. Remember, there are other tables around. Smile, be polite, no matter what. Those around you will appreciate it.

Things NOT to do. Do not complain about how busy you are or how badly you are being treated. We can see you are busy and we are sympathetic. I have never bitched at a waiter for being slow when I can see they are busy. But I do not go out to eat to have someone tell me why their life or job sucks. Do not disappear. Nothing is more frustrating than to have a child spill something and have to wait 5 minutes to find a waiter to bring another napkin. A personal pet peeve of mine is to run out of my drink. I drink a lot when I eat and hate to have to wait for a refill.

Tipping will be all over the place, so be ready for that. Some people barely tip at all regardless of the service. I tend to tip out of proportion. When the service is bad, my tips are punitive. When the service is exceptional, I have been known to leave more than 20%.

Good luck. Like everything you do in life, just do your best and make a good faith effort. You will be fine.

 

[BarnabySchmidt]

Be pleasant and introduce yourself. Ask them if they'd like any drinks. Get them their drinks promptly. For the remainder of the dinner, you will be checking their drinks, filling them before they are empty. Very important stuff. Bring them a second cup so they have it ready to drink. Filled drinks is #1, ask anybody.

Ask them if they'd like to try an appetizer.

When you tell them the "specials", don't make it long winded. Tell them briefly, then elaborate if they are interested. I never get the specials and get annoyed when I have to listen to my server ramble about it for one minute.

Be prompt and attentive. Ask what they need. But don't ask while they are chewing food, that is the worst. If they need something, they will have to chew and you will stand there and feel awkward.

As they are finishing up or are finished, ask them if they'd like refills on their drinks, coffee, or dessert.

Keep in mind, lots of people, when they are done, want to get up and leave ASAP, so always have the check handy for them. When you give it to them, say, "I'll take this whenever you are ready." Then, check back a few minutes later.

Don't judge your customer by their age. i.e. Young college age people or high school kids can tip better than adults. Most kids want to "do the right thing" and won't short somebody on a tip. By the time people are old they have had more of a chance to get "picky" and "cheap" and will find reasons not to tip you.

So make sure to provide equal service to everybody. But, if you have to choose, provide better service to a bigger party.

There will always be bad tippers, no matter how good you are. Don't let them discourage you. Some people will naturally be generous and leave a $10 bill for a $20 meal; others will leave $5 for a $50 meal. Most will fall in the middle, 15-20%. Hopefully good tippers will balance out the bad.

Oh yeah, if you fuck up on your first day, don't tell everybody, "I'm sorry, this is my first day." Just try to make things right, apologize, and learn from it. Nobody likes excuses or passing the buck. . .

 

[Damnblackbetty]

thank you both for the tips!!!

 

[pike_7]

i am starting a new job tomorrow serving, which i've never done before and i'm nervous that i am going to drop things and be horrible. any waiters/waitresses have tips of the trade?

Always do your best to present a composed, confident, and friendly demeanor. How your customers initally perceive you will go a long way in determining how well they tip you. Remember, first impressions count!

 

[Lavared]

If they have kids with them bring extra napkins. They'll appreciate it. If you really want to score points, bring a warm damp towel at the same time you bring their check.

The point made earlier about keeping the drinks filled and giving them the check on time was a good one.

 

[Squiggy]

i am starting a new job tomorrow serving, which i've never done before and i'm nervous that i am going to drop things and be horrible. any waiters/waitresses have tips of the trade?

where are you working so I can be your first customer???

Good Luck no matter what..Justin





I thought you were looking for a home based job??

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

I was a waitress a long time ago. Now let's give you some advice so you can make some fricking money, which is why you are there:

*************************************************

THE thing you will need to learn, if you work in a busy place:

Work your station, not your tables. View it as one. Otherwise you will run your ass off like a dog.

Example of working you tables:

Miss, my steak is a little under done. Can you take it back?
you take it back to the kitchen.

Next table: Miss, can I get some hot sauce?
You go get it.

Next table: Hi, I need blah blah blah
Go do it!

When one person asks for something, do a slow lap around your tables and give them the opportunity to make eye contact with you. That will give them the opportunity to ask for something, and you can do it all at once.
**************************************
Another tip - if you work in a place with a full bar. I never asked, "Can I get you something to drink?" I always asked, "Can I get you a drink?" To a drinker, the latter question is about booze, to a non drinker it isn't . I needed to plant the seed of alcohol, that is how you make you money, not on soda. And if they order alcohol, upsell whenever you can. Your goal: no well drinks. It is easy -

customer: "I will have a gin and tonic."
You: "Do you have a favorite?"
customer: Sure, I'll have a Bombay Sapphire.

The bigger the check, the more money in your pocket.

********************************************

Also, if a person orders something which takes a long, long time (Like a 2" thick porkchop) and they didn't order apps or a salad, suggest it. Tell them it takes a while, would they like to consider ordering (or spliting) an app to tide them over?
*****************************************
If it is a low priced place, Turn 'em and burn 'em. In and out, you don't need any dilly dallying. Not saying you should make them feel rushed, but don't go refilling drinks for the hell of it, they may sit around chewing on ice. Chain restaraunt? Get in and get the fuck out.

*****************************************
If it is a high priced place, you want them to stay a while. These are the after dinner coffee people drinkers, (suggest a little whisky or Bailey's, pump up that ticket) desserts, etc.
******************************************
If you work in a place which uses a book style check holder, stand it upright when you drop the check. Once the customer touches it, they always lay it down flat. This way you will know at a glance when they have looked at it and probably paid or put in a credit card.
******************************************

I am sure I have plenty more, this is off the top of my head.

 

[Damnblackbetty]

double post

 

[Damnblackbetty]

wow those are really good. I'll be working at TGIF's which has a full bar. I'll keep those all in mind =) also, around how many tables are in a section?

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

I don't know, but I bet it is small at TGIF. Like four tables would be my guess.

So don't forget: turn 'em and burn 'em. Only exception: if they are getting wasted. This is the way to make money at a place like TGIF.

 

[Damnblackbetty]

Thanks you have great tips if you think of any more let me know! Also, how did you handle declined credit cards? I dont want to embarass a customer.

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

Thanks you have great tips if you think of any more let me know! Also, how did you handle declined credit cards? I dont want to embarass a customer.

Stoop rather than stand, so you are at eye level and they don't feel like you are talking down to them. Tell them as quietly as possible that "there is a problem with this card... perhaps you can use another form of payment until you straighten it out tomorrow?" Nobody makes a fuss; they're likely embarassed, and this is about as painless as you can get. The deadbeat can pretend no one else at the table heard it, and the other people at the table can look the other way.

 

[JohnnyA]

Always be cheerful and be happy. If you're in a poor mood you have to act. Nothing worse then a depressed downer of a server.

 

[SweetErika]

I was reading restaurant reviews the other day and noticed a couple of people commented on waitstaff talking to and taking an interest in their children (like asking talking-age kids what their names, ages, and likes were, bringing crayons/paper/special things for the kids, suggesting special food and drinks, etc.). It seems like that's a good way to start off on the right foot with families.

I'm indecisive, so I'll often ask the waitperson what they'd recommend among a few choices or to answer questions about the food. I like it when they've tried what's on the menu and can answer my questions or tell me what they like the most. A few months ago, I even had the waiter recommend something, and he said if I didn't like it, he'd take it off the check. It was absolutely fantastic, but I appreciated him knowing the food so well and caring enough about my experience to make that kind of offer.

One of the worst things a waitperson can do is give me the check when I'm engrossed in conversation or before I'm finished eating, and then proceed to come back every few minutes for it. In fact, I prefer you to come by when I'm finished, ask how I'm doing, and I'll ask for the check at that point if I'm in a hurry (or, I'll flag you down). If I stay longer and you continue filling my water, asking if I need anything later, etc., you will get a huge tip. If you hurry me out because you think the next party to sit at my table will bring more money, I'll bank on just that.

Once in a great while, something's wrong with my food, and I'll ask for it to be fixed. I know some people complain for minor things or just want a free meal, but most do not. So, don't look at me in disbelief or act annoyed...just make it right. If there's something really wrong with it (like raw meat), ask if I'd like the same or something else, and if you're allowed to, don't charge me for it or bring a complimentary dessert or something to make up for it. That'll keep me happy, get you a big tip (in all likelihood the money I would have spent on the food will go in your pocket), and make me want to come back.

Treat me well whether I'm ordering $100 or a $2 cup of coffee. I know you work hard, are underpaid, and I've been in similar shoes. If you do a semi-good job, you'll get a disproportionately high tip.

Make your job fun in whatever way you can. Let the good customers boost you up and ignore the bad bring you down (once in awhile you can turn them around with kindness though, so shoot for that). If you start disliking your job, find a new one because it will really show.

Best of luck!

 

[JohnnyA]

It happens once in a blue moon, but sometime the waitress has sat down at the table with the people I'm with to take the order. It's a neat trick to get the customers more friendly with you.

 

[glynndah]

There was a study somewhere that said if a waitress signed her checks with a smiley face, she got more tips.

When you make a mistake, apologize immediately and find a way to fix it fast.

The lunch crowd wants to eat and run; the dinner crowd will probably linger longer.

Find a way to give them something extra. A free refill, more butter, etc.

Be nice to the bus boys. They'll clean your tables faster.

Good luck! I met my husband while waiting tables.

 

[Pyro Paul]

How to be a good waiter/waitress Pyro Paul style.

1: your new life setting should now be, Yes'sir no'sir, three bags full sir! listen, obey, do.

2: If any one asks you something you Have no idea. simply say, no i dont know, here is my manager. he should know. if he dont, give them the phone number to the resident office/owner.

3: it is always YOUR fault no matter how insignificant or Not your fault it is. you could of had 3 eye witnesses, a tape recording and 2 video recordings saying that this guy said, i wanta sandwich with no cheese, and if he complains that his Cheeseburger sandwich Doesnt have cheese. it dont matter How wrong he is, he is right its your fault.

4: Remember, they are Paying YOU for YOUR services, you need not kill yourself over a job (ie working extra hours because the owner doesnt wanna scedule more people)

5: People are weird stupid, crazy people. remember that they will say and order some weird crazy shit. further more, they will expect you to understand what weird crazy shit that they are saying.

hope this helps.
if all else fails, get a job at like office max. sit around watch a mostly empty store and do nothing but count whats left at the end of the day.

 

[_nightswimmer_]

The "tips" I have gathered

My Experience

After a few too many years waiting tables, but still loving every minute of it, the pointers I have gathered are:

When taking an order, I almost always crouch down to their level (I learned this at a chain I worked for). After I started doing this I immediately saw a boost in my tips.

Smiley faces! Another tried and true tip.

Leave home at home, and work at work, I know this goes for any job, but when your face is the selling point, it helps.

Over tip your bartender and your bus-children (You'll get your drinks faster and your tables cleared first)

Don't burn yourself out, 40 hours is more than full time in the biz, you should aim for a job you only have too work 25 hrs a week at and pay all your bills.

I've always introduced myself "Hi, welcome to "......", my name is Mindi and I'll be your server tonight." I've never thought anything of it, till other people that I work with have commented on it, and how they hate being called "Ma'am" my customers always seem to remember my name. If your like me and you hate being finger-snapped at, make sure they know who you are, and you'll go home feeling a lot less used.

Always offer dessert! I do it lunch crowd or not, if they say no, offer to wrap something up for later. I've sold more dessert as a "midnite snack" then you can imagine.

And when you start to get discouraged head over to Bitter Waitress there is always something there that's good for a work related laugh.

Best of luck
and may the hosti seat you in your favor,

Mindi
the _nightswimmer_

 

[~hellbaby~]

A new server will often tag along or have someone looking over your shoulder, they will say something to the table like "She's new" and make you feel stupid, if you do all the work make sure the person watching over you to doesn't snag the tip. If your not trailing someone it is a good idea to let your party know your new; that way if something goes wrong they will be ok about it and probably give you a nice big pity tip. Keep your nails short and your hair up, no one likes hair in their food or seeing long fingernails near their food. Always smile and say hello as soon as you can after they are settled in, even if your busy,acknowledge them and say you will be with them soon. Make sure your tables are set up and everything is filled and clean. Serve ladies first, drinks always on the right, above the spoon and knife. If you have a tray full of drinks, balance it with your thumb as you take off the drinks.Hold the tray from underneath, on your hand, not by the edge. A tray full of sodas held at the edge is not a good idea, your wrist will tire and when it does it will do it quickly. If your in a tourist town ask where they are from or suggest someplace to go. You can feel people out pretty quickly, the ones who just want you to put food on the table and go and the ones who like to talk, old people like to talk a lot, talk loud, they usually cannot hear too good and never give them regular if they want decaf and none is ready, give them decaf for reg but not the other way around. As far as giving your name,it's really up to you, I prefer not to most times, just always smile and be friendly. When taking an order, go clockwise so when the food is up you will know who gets what without having to ask. Always serve food from the left side, place down the plate entree in front and tell what it is as you put it down,just to be sure, serve ladies first, unless it's a large party then it is ok to go in order, unless it is a Country Club your working in.When everyone has food ask if they want another drink or if they need anything. Make sure to check back in a few minutes to see if they need anything.When I go out to eat if the server does not check back in two or three minutes they lose a good part of the tip, there is nothing worse watching your food go cold because you need a fork or some sauce. Don't clear plates, if it is your job, until everyone is done. If you have a bus, or a runner always tip them more than what you should, they will work harder for you next time. Remember to tip the bar too. Keep some wet naps, crayons and balloons or something in your pockets for kids. Be nice and have fun,waitressing is a fun job, you get to run around and meet all kinds of people, it is great if your not one for sitting at a desk all day!

 

[fsumusic1981]

tips

how did your first day go?

I am sure what I am about to say is gonna get me slammed from all sides, but I'll say it anyways.

When you are working, you may get rushed sometimes and have to cut down on the service for some tables. I always did so based on analysis of a few factors, so here is my advice. Keep in mind, this is all generalities and there are always exceptions to the rules. Tips are how you make your money so you have to sometimes serve other people better than others. you know what I mean? I've worked in everything from $5/plate dinner joints to $20/slice of pie joints. . . you know, bottom to the top. Shit, everywhere in between too. I've dealt with lots of people in lots of places, and I think what I am going to tell you is tried and true advice.

Age: In my experience, old people are generally the worst tippers. I say old meaning people 65 years of age and older. Late middle-aged people 45-65 can go either way; use your judgment. People 25-45 tip the best. People under 25 are good tippers if you're a good server, especially if your their age; they seem to "feel your pain" since they probly work in a shitty job too.

Sex/Gender: A group of women are likely to tip you well if you're a girl, which you are. At least one of them probably waited tables at some point, so they know how it is. All women give the best tips to lady waitresses. A group of men will tip well if you're polite, and even better if you're pretty. Mixed groups usually depend on the members.

Family/Dates: Guys on dates that pick up a check will usu tip very well since they don't want to look like jerks to there dates. My advice is not to force them into tipping badly b ecause they will stiff you if you fuck their date up by being shitty waitress. People in families generally have no set way of tipping; if anything they're a little more tightwads then normal people, all other things being equal. Probly becuase they are tight on money and have kids to feed and go to school.

Race: (this is what will get me slammed). It always seemed to me that African-Americans and Indians (no not native americans) tipped far less on average then poeple of other races. White people tipped better. Latino poeple's tips seemed to vary with how "American" they'd become- those who were new to the country and not used to our customs either tipped a standard 15% or gave very little; those who seemed to have been in america for a while or generations tipped just like white people. Oriental people tip well as a rule too.

Foreign people in america on vacation tip waht the travel guides say: 15%. Get used to it. Unless they are seasoned travelers in which case they will tip more variably.

Part of COuntry: If you deal with a clientele that comes from different parts of the country (like in New york city, or in an area with a growing population that people have been moving to from other areas of the country), then keep this in mind. Old South people (distinguished acents) are great tippers, very proper, generally. Redneck and yokel types tip worse. People from the Northeast tip well, unless you get some jackass that wants to nit-pick everything. Midwestern people tip well.

City people tip better than rural people. Drunk people tip better than sober people. People dining alone tip better than those dining in groups.

People who nit-pick and cancel items and shit tip badly, so if someone starts sending shit back for no good reason, or cancels food before it gets to them, consider cutting your losses if other tables are vying for your attention.

Trust your gut. Lots of these rules don't apply to everyone, and there are always exceptions. You should get a feel eventually for who will tip well and who won't. The shitty tippers are best left to fend for themselves if you get backed up; after all, you are there to make money not to make people happy. making them happy is only important because it makes you money.

And one more thing. TGIF is a down-to-earth, middle-class restaurant, so most of your clientele will be middle and working class poeple. They know what it's like to bust ass for shitty wages, and they are generally going to tip way more than the rich and the poor would. It's better than working in some high-class joint where you gotta kiss ass your whole shift and try to act like youre from the upper crust. My worse waiting job was at a place like that. Fucking rich snobs always looking down their snooty noses at you. Let's just say they got a little more in their food than they ordered. haha.

If you get Richey Rich and his spoiled family in there, generally, nothing will be good enough for them so they will find more faults in the service. You can tell the people who come from money and have sticks up their asses. Do your job, but don't hesitate to leave them to fend for themselves. If nothing else, you are teaching them the lesson that just because they are rich, you won't be led around to do their bidding like a donkey following a carrot on a stick.

And if you get someone poor in there for who TGIF is a a huge deal, then be prepared for disappointment. The food isn't always going to be waht they expected for the money (remember, their $10 meal costs more to them than a $30 meal does to some) and they are likely to short you as a result.

Good luck and let me know if this helps.

 

[~hellbaby~]

if anything they're a little more tightwads then normal people, all other things being equal

I spent fifteen years working everyplace from a pizza joint that fed abused women from a local shelter who paid with vouchers, to country clubs in Long Island and Boca Raton, to Atlantic City landmarks and the only thing I'll slam you on is your statement that families are not normal people . I'd mention too that hen aiting on a date, don't pay too much attention to the guy, no matter ho cute he is. (my double 'u' seems to be stuck)

 

[llc]

This may seem like a small deal , but when serving a table with small chidren , it always impresed me if the waiter or waitress considered if the items being served where hot and careful not place them in front of the kids .

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

Somebody mentioned the tip out on this thread... they are so right I am sorry I forgot to mention it.

Don't skimp on the tip out! They will notice, and they will take care of you.

Some people consistently rip off the bartender & bussers - don't do it! They will under tip by a lousy two or three bucks - meanwhile, when you have people on your side you will make way more than that couple of dollars. And the bartender and bus boy will make more too! The bartender will put up your drinks first, maybe "sweeten" them a bit (important at a chain like TGIF - it's hard to get a long pour). Your busser will break down and reset your table lickety split, so you are ready for the next one before the guy in the next station. They'll do it because they know YOU will take care of them.

Any place I ever worked, I always tipped the best.

This won't happen at TGIF, but if you ever move up to a pricey place, if you ever get a huge tip - once I got $200.00 because a couple got engaged and I oohed and aahed over them - spread some cash around the kitchen too. With that $200, I only kept $100 - a lot of money - and I divied the rest among everyone in the kitchen. Those guys ALWAYS took care of me, even when I fucked stuff up, they had my back.

 

[Damnblackbetty]

Thanks so much for the tips. I am trying to keep them all in mind.

Today was my third day and eventful as always. I have been following two people and they are polar opposites. One is a huge gay guy who is very bubbly and gets the top tips in the place, but didn't teach me much because he was playing catch up all night. The other guy was a someone I use to party with, a punk rocker kid, that hardly put any effort into his job and showed me hiding places haha. Tomorrow I run food, and Saturday I lead someone. The parts that scare me are learning all the food, wines, alcohol..ect.. and carrying the big trays. The smaller ones are fine.

I have a problem of being shy when I am not confident in my work, since I'm new and people can tell and ask me "are you new?".. "yes and thank you for noticing...not haha"

I think I'm nervous because someone is watching me do it and I want to remember everything.

I wear my hair up, iron my clothes, keep nails clean and short and all that jazz.

But I am going to study my menu tonight and hopefully tomorrow goes better.

Thanks again for the tips everyone! =)