What does a waiter/waitress have to do (or not do) to do get you to tip well?

Question

I'm wondering because I just started serving, and I'd like to know how I can get better tips as well as make my customers happier with their meals.

Answer 1

I tip at least 15% unless the server is rude. 20% for good service.

Keeping the table cleared is a biggie for me. Dirty plates piling up really distracts from the experience.

Keeping the water glasses filled.

You should be looking at the tables you're serving regularly to see if they are signalling you -- nothing is more irritating than a waiter who avoids eye contact because they are busy. That is just rude. If you have other things going on then explain that you'll be with them asap.

Remembering to bring the condiments requested with the meal instead of 5 minutes later when the food is no longer hot -- or even THERE for that matter.

Friendly and smiling and relaxed. If a server is all stressed out I can feel it and it makes the whole dining experience uneasy.

Showing a genuine desire to give good service. It is always obvious when a server sees you as a dollar sign and not a human being. I can understand how servers get that way, because their work is often thankless and people can be dismissive, rude and super ignorant in dealing with waiters. I've worked in fine dining and banquets myself, so I know how it can be. So when you reach burnout level move on to something else, instead of being a lousy server with a bad attitude.

Food service can be great fun and bringing home tips every day is a great perk. I hope you enjoy your new job!

Answer 2

Introduce yourself to them when you come to the table. Check back with them periodically to see if they are enjoying their food. Be attentive to any needs that may come up... More Coke, for example. Be friendly and you should do fine. (UNLESS you work in a place where you are encouraged to be rude, such as Ed Debevic's in Chicago.) Ask some of your co-workers for pointers on what they do.

Personally, I walk in the door expecting to tip 20% (AFTER TAXES) but it can go up or down from there. In some cases I will only leave 10-15% if I feel the server could have been more attentive, but usually I start at 20 and go UP. There have been very few occasions where I have failed to leave a decent tip, and this usually was caused by poor service. I also feel guilty if I am eating with other people and the person leaving the tip leaves less than 15%.

Good luck! Most people do not understand how hard the job is, unless they have worked in restaurants themselves.

Answer 3

Basically, to get a good tip, the server must remember I exist. The only time I really refuse to tip, or tip poorly is when I'm sitting there with my family and feel compeletly forgotten. My drink's not refilled, my kids need more napkins or something, and nobody is around to help. I understand a busy server, but a glance my way every little bit really goes a long way.
The fact that you're interested in finding how to serve better shows you'll probably do alright.

Answer 4

Make sure you stop by and ask if there's anything they need every once in a while. Offer straws and extra napkins. Smile. Tell them to have a good day when you give them the bill. Just be polite. I always tip really well if the waiter/waitress is polite and friendly, even if they screw the order or something else up.

Answer 5

Make sure you remember to keep their drinks filled and always fill their request, for example when they ask for steak sauce or extra napkins etc. I have had problems with waitresses and waiters not doing these things. If you do these, I'm sure you'll get good tips. Also keep a good attitude no matter what the customers like. If you act nice you'll be treated nicely.

Answer 6

truly relies upon on the eating position and its coverage. If it really is a small eating position the position the waiter does each and every thing then probable no longer. yet in maximum eating position chains or larger or pricer eating position, they have waiters that takes the order then they have nutrients servers who brings you the nutrients. The waiter can could tip out to them and given them a particular quantity relying on how a lot tip became made that day. they'd could tip out to the bartender and the busboy too. some small self sufficient eating position would no longer make adequate tip for the wait team and so the owner would save each and every of the top and pay the workers a particular quantity for the shift.

Answer 7

Be genuine, sincere, attentive and detailed-oriented. Brush up on problem-solving skills and learn how to deal with diversity. But remember, and this is very important, at times you will encounter customers who will not only not tip well - they may not tip at all. There are people in this life who believe to be served by another, without acknowledgment of any kind, is expected and the server should consider their position as a privilege; you should be grateful to serve. Reality check, eh?

Answer 8

Be friendly but not intrusive...especially with repeat customers. I served for awhile and I found that repeat customers want to be remembered and feel special. There was one lady where I worked who would even sit with a couple of the repeat customers as she took their order. Ones she knew well enough to do that with of course.

Otherwise just the normal things. Smile, be courteous.
Be patient.
Get things right and in a timely matter.
Check and make sure there are things they need or do not need as they are eating.
I hate it when my water is out for long periods of time...or when I need something and have to try and flag the server down for a long time.
We went to a restaurant once that is known more for their desserts than they are for their meals. We ate the meal there but 99% of people want the dessert. And yes AFTER our meal we DID want dessert. However our server did not even ask us she just gave us the bill. We ended up getting the dessert after setting things straight with her however she didn't get much of a tip.

Help keep the place neat. If you see something is spilled please clean it up as quick as possible. Who wants to eat in a messy place?

Remember this is hard work and dealing with people can be nerve racking. But if you keep positive and do it correctly you will make a lot off of tips.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I had some bad experiences with a waiter who was too cozy, tried to hook me up and asked stupid questions. He was very irritating.
The best waiter I've ever met was a girl who just smiled at me. While I was eating I didn't noticed her although the food was always there. She was just like a wizard! She was invisible yet efficient. I gave her a 100% tip.

Do you know soyouwanna.com? There are a very good waiter section. Maybe it will help you. I link it.
Good luck!

Answer 10

Okay, I'll admit I'm kind of hard to please. I don't eat out often. I have three kids in college so I don't eat out a lot and I'm rather picky about how I spend my entertainment dollars, but here's the criteria. And yes I've waited tables! I think everyone should.
1. Don't act like you're too darn good/cute/fabulous in general to be waiting tables in the first place. I don't care how much you partied the night before your hair, clothes and hygiene have to be top notch ALWAYS!
2. Don't shove my salad on top of my appetizer or my entree on top of my salad or my dessert on top of entree.
3. Even if it's a full swing Saturday night shift glance at your stations every now and then to see if customers are trying to catch your eye and if you don't, don't get p****d when of them starts waving, shouts "miss" or gets your manger or doesn't leave you a tip.