What should I expect from a restaurant job, waiting tables?

Question

I have never worked at a restaurant before, and I am going into see the manager of a mid-scale Japanese restaurant this afternoon about a position they have as server. What should I expect as far as paying goes? Do they usually pay hourly, or do you just collect tip? What a reasonable wage to expect from something like this? I know it varies from place to place, but I just wanted to have an idea so I wouldn't be going in blindly. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

You'll get what ever hourly wage plus your tips. Some questions to think about. Are your tips all yours, or do they go into a community tip jar? They used to do that in the olden days. Do you have to bus your own tables or do they have a bus boy? If they have a busboy are you expected to give them a tip at the end of your shift, if he did a good job. Check on whether or not you get a free or discounted meal. Will it be a straight 8 hour shift or just a few hours over, say lunch? Do they provide the uniform or do you have to come up with your own? If you smoke, where can you? That's a very big issue now a days. If you get the job, just remember to try and keep a smile on your face, it keeps a smile in your voice. Even when you want to strangle the customers. You'll be on your feet a lot so make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes that give good support. If you get the job try to make sure they don't train you during there busiest time of day. Good Luck, hope you get it.

Answer 2

You will be paid about $2.13 an hour ( i know this is under minimum wage, but minimum wage laws do not apply to a job where you make tips), plus you will make tips. Your average tip will be 15%-20% of the bill. So if you work a 5 hour shift, and serve 15 tables (3 an hour) you can expect to make $10.65 hourly wages, plus (assuming $30.00 bill) $10-$15 an hour in tips.

Be careful on the tips. If this place actually makes you count up tips, and reports them to the IRS, you will be expected to PAY the taxes on all of your tips for the year come tax time. Keep that in mind.

Good luck!

Answer 3

You may have to wait some tables yourself before you will learn the answer to your question. Or just go to restaurants that offer a serve-yourself buffet. I have never been a waiter, but it is a service. If you had someone who really went out of his or her way to make your restaurant visit a great experience, would you not feel compelled to tip this person? I do agree that the busser and cook deserve tips on occasion, too. I think it is better to commend (than complain about) the person who waits tables and actually works for a living. We have a lot of lazy butts who depend on the state, the government and others way too much for their survival. I am not weathly, by any means, but whatever money I have, I know that I can't take it with me to the grave. My heart tells me to help others. A tip for a waiter or waitress might help that person buy a few extra groceries or go toward a pair of shoes for their children. Who knows? I have never had anyone chase me out of the restaurant demanding more tip money. Where in the world do you live? I won't be visiting that place anytime soon!

Answer 4

They vary quite a bit based on area and price range of the restaurant. Many pay below minimum wage but you make it up and more on the tips. Tips will be a lot better if they serve alcohol because it bumps up the average meal price another 25% or so.

I'd have someone else call the restaurant ask if they're hiring and ask what the payrange is. Either that or go eat there and chat up one of the existing waitresses.

Answer 5

With no expierience and I imagine this isn't too upscale a place, expect minimum wage for your hourly pay, plus tips or tips share.

Depending on how they handle the tips. Some places cumulate all the tip money and divide it evenly between waitresses, others even add in the bus staff and/or cooks. Other places it's just what you each individually collect.

Answer 6

Almost all restaurants pay minimum wage. I think that's $2.13 if you're getting tips. BUt that's not bad at all, because if you pick a good restaurant you'll get paid very well in tips. I worked as a waitress to pay for college, and used to average $80 for a 4-hour shift.

Answer 7

you should expect people not to tip you. Going in you have high thoughts of the money coming in and helping you out. When someone coulod have the greatest service, but have no money for a tip as well. Most people tip, but it's not always going to happen. Remember that as well people forget other people might have a hard time, it's not your sevice, but it could be they want to tip but can't afford to. So never hold things against people.

Answer 8

Sore feet, small hourly wage supplemented with tips, creepy old guys hitting on you when you give them your professional waitress smile, people not controlling their children, people ordering things that aren't on the menu, people who think they can haggle, people who will complain about things just to get the manager to knock something off, and you get to wear a kimono. Enjoy.

Answer 9

A small hourly wage and tips is what you should expect for compensation.

Answer 10

witing is a vary hard job. it's alto of time on your feet carrying heavy stuff. all of it 7has to be done wit7h a smile on your face, good luck. it's also dealing with mean rood and responding politely. being delightfully w7hen you relay want to tell t7he person to shut up and stop complaining.