At a restaurant: What do you look for in service?

Question

When you are at a restaurant/cafe and you are being waited on, name at least one and no more than three qualities you look for that will sway a big(er) tip in their favor.

Answer 1

I WOULD LOOK FOR:

1. Fast service
2. Polite waiters
3. Clean and neat waiters

Answer 2

Attentiveness: Arrive quickly after I'm seated, even if it's to introduce yourself and say you'll be right back with me; check on me often [but don't smother], and don't allow my drink to sit empty; and when it's ready, deliver my food while it's still hot.

Attitude: Have a smile and a positive attitude, even if you don't "feel" it. First impression is everything, and I'll ask to sit at the station of a server who was smiling, friendly, and had a positive attitude on my last visit. Chances are, it's because of them that I have come back.

I have been known to give a server a $10 or a $20 for perfecting the above, and nothing if I'm leaving upset and disapponted. I will always give 15% unless the server is completely undeserving, but someone better than average will receive a little more, along with my continued business.
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Edit: To Mr. Cellophane, I like your last paragraph, about dating a guy that doesn't tip. You don't know how right you are!!

I'm not quite to enough points to vote, but my vote goes to that one paragraph. :-)

Answer 3

Knowledge of the menu, and writing the order correctly and making sure the food brought to the table is what was ordered.

Checking on us, the right amount of attention, asking if we need something, re-filling water or drinks.

Removing dishes and glasses that we are done with and delivering the check promptly when we are finished with the meal.

I tip according to service, I do not hold it against the waitress/waiter for mistakes in the kitchen, such as over or under cooked food.

Answer 4

I find it flattering for a waiter or waitress to take a genuine interest in our ordering a meal. Anyone can write down a menu item on a piece of paper.

When a server is prepared to help those not sure of what a restaurant excels in, that is a professional that is proud of their work.

If a server spends time talking to you and not staring at the check pad, that means they care about you and your visit to the place.

You don't have to sit with us, but pay attention and make eye contact. It is as important as a sales position, since you are selling the restaurant.

Answer 5

A good waiter who checks your table frequently.
There is nothing I can't stand more that having an empty glass at my table and nothing to drink with my food.Also friendliness is so very important in a waitress.I don't leave tips for
rude waitresses who talk very fast and almost throw your food on the table.And last but not least a clean restaurant.

Answer 6

Smile
Don't serve the meal and then dissapear.
Don't let the drink glass become empty.
If you check on them to see if they don't need anything, and they don't need anything, it lets them know you are trying to provide good service.
Don't make them wait forever for the check after the meal.

For the ladies out there, don't date guys that don't tip. If they do not appreciate good service when they get it at a resturant, they will not appreciate the attention an effort you give them in a home envronment.

Answer 7

excellent question Zoer!

1 - attentiveness WITHOUT hovering
you want to know that when you look at your waiter you'll have eye contact within a minute

2 - warm friendly disposition
you can be in the most inhospitable restaurant imaginable, but if your waiter has these characteristics, you will feel welcome

3 - *the wild card*
if you ask for something out of the ordinary from the kitchen, chances are that the chefs will give your waiter grief. if your waiter accepts your request without batting an eyelid, you're dealing with a winner.

Answer 8

Friendly, attentive, efficient.

And a patron should always thank the server for refills, extra ketchup, fresh bread, whatever. It's important for the server to be treated as a human being. Most servers enjoy people and have a great personality. I read a poll once that was taken among servers. The question was what they most appreciated from their patrons. The most common answer was that they simply wanted to hear the words "thank you".

Answer 9

Service with a smile.
Discreet, non-interuptive service (eg to read the situation, not to clear table/refill water when a couple hands are locked on the table and having an intimate conversation!)

Answer 10

Friendly , with a smile and a caring, knowlegeable attitude

If I have to wait, that's fine (I've been in the business), but I expect to be acknowledged by the server as he/she passes by and advised that he/she will be with me as soon as possible - that way I know that the server knows I am there.

I am a milk drinker, and very few remember to bring my milk with my meal; those that do I remember when I tip.

Answer 11

1. Appearance and attitude of the server. I mean, pleasant, polite, clean, and efficient.
2. Accuracy of order - taking the order, and bringing it back exactly as ordered.
3. Frequent beverage refills.


If I don't get decent service, tip is reduced or denied.