At a restaurant .... would you rather have a very friendly server or an effiecient server???

Question

I am really efficient and get tipped like crazy (average about $120 a night for 5 hours-6 hours of work), but, I really don't care to talk to my customers ... but they never have anything missing or have to ask twice for something

then this other waiter that is really friendly makes about $100-$110 for the same amount of time ... but, sometimes gets in the "weeds" (all backed up) for chatting to much with his customers

We both train new people and have different views of what serving is .... whcih one do you prefer???

Answer 1

effecient!
I had a friendly waiter when I was on vacation once. He spent about 2 hours talking to us but NEVER brought us any refills. WHY? BECAUSE HE WAS TALKING TO EVERYONE ELSE TOO!
@#$%@#$

Answer 2

I have to say that I'd prefer an efficient waiter as opposed to a chatty one. You can be the friendliest person alive but if you don't follow through on the requests of your customers, you're friendliness will turn into annoyance in my opinion.

I'd rather have my meal in a reasonable amount of time and correct, with only brief interruptions from the waiter to ask if I need a refill or just to see that everything is going well.

Answer 3

I prefer efficiency -- I like to go out to dinner so I don't have to make the dinner and clean up after it. No offense to the waitstaff, but I'm not there to make a new friend. We went to dinner one evening and the waiter sat down at the table with our family. While he was very friendly and funny -- I wanted an evening out with my family. It was supposed to be a time for us to connect after a busy week. He then made a few errors which was irritating -- it wound up being stressful instead of enjoyable. It's also very annoying having to wait for your meal because the waitstaff is too busy chatting with other folks.

That being said -- I don't like Durgin Park in Boston because the staff is known to be gruff (that's part of the atmosphere..) -- one can certainly be pleasant while being efficient.

I'd say -- keep on doing things your way -- I for one would appreciate it!!

Answer 4

this is going to sound kind of bad, but perhaps the friendly server is getting a little of what I call "pity tips" from people who really didn't like the service, but felt obligated to leave a good tip because he was so friendly. Just because both of you make roughly the same amount in tips does not mean that people liked his service as well as yours. I personally believe, and when I was a waitress I tried to follow this creed, that waitstaff should be as inconspicious as possible. Be there when needed, but nothing past that. I too have seen waiters getting their orders backed up because of chatting, and it irritates me.

Answer 5

I prefer an efficient server. Overly friendly ones make me uncomfortable. I give bigger tips to efficient ones because they seem to care more about doing their jobs right. Friendly servers are nice, but if they are not doing a good job, I'd rather not have them serving me.

Answer 6

efficient...and maybe a little friendly but not too friendly. I hate when waiters bother you while you're trying to eat or talk to whoever your eating with. Just bring the stuff I ordered and coffee when I need a refill and I'm happy...and will tip well!

Answer 7

A Friendly Effiecent server

Answer 8

An efficient server is better, if he/she is friendly than I would feel bad if something is not right. I would not complain then, but I sure would not be going back, nor tip as much.

Answer 9

I prefer efficiency. I don't care for servers that hang around and want to chat. Just bring me what I need and leave me alone. Although, just have a good attitude doing it.

Answer 10

i think if you can be efficient and friendly (not talk so much that i cannot eat my food friendly) you will be the better server

i have worked in a restaurant and i first checked them out, if the one paying the bill is friendly and talkative you should be too. and if hes polite then your going to have to be efficient

Answer 11

i prefer the efficient customer but of course i wouldnt mind a smile from them and a joke here and there. I love cheering people up at work who look too morbid and i always manage to do it in a non flamboyant manner which always works to their and mine advantage.