Waitress Suggestions?

Question

Hi,

I've recently taken a job as a server after leaving my corporate career to return to school full time. I have never worked in a retail or restraunt environment before. I know the type of service I always expect to receive but, I was hoping someone could give me tips, suggestions, or any input that may be helpful.

Thank you! :-)

Answer 1

Serve from the right... Pick up from the left.
No matter how "in the weeds" you are always stop and get a drink order and check back as you walk by.
Do Not. Be overly attentive. Having a server hover is as unnerving as being ignored.
Smile and treat them like they are the only person in your world.
If they piss you off smile and agree... walk away and flip em a bird when they can't see you.
Never Never f%*k with someones food. This can be prosecuted as assault.
Try not to wait on a party of women. They are notoriously lousy tippers.
Do try to get the tables full of middle aged men and flirt your a$$ off. They are the BIG tippers.
Don't be late because then someone has to cover for you.
Don't leave a dirty station or someone will get very tired of pulling your load.
Don't let the cook give you a plat you would not eat yourself. If it looks like dog food give it back or ask the expediter/manager to take care of it.


I think EVERYONE should have to work in food service at least for six months of their life. I can think of no other way to train yourself in dealing with people.

Answer 2

The key to being a good waitress is time management.
Every time you come out of the kitchen, make sure you have stuff for all your tables, even if its a refill, a check, or a side of ranch they wanted. Stop at every table before you go back into the kitchen so you can find out what everyone needs and grab it all while you are back there. Treat all your tables as one big table.
The things that slow you down are drinks from the bar (you have no control over how fast the bartender is), not enough change (if you carry your own bank), and not knowing the menu effectively to make choices for people when they are not sure on what to get.
Things that speed you up - drop the check as soon as you can, refill before they need it, and always be in your section so you can see what is going on.
Don't freak out, even if you get double or triple sat...again, your entire section is just one big table!
It's a way to make great money, but remember your money is your tips, not your hourly wage. You determine how much you make, no one else. Sometimes the best money comes "in-between" shifts, when there are only 2 or 3 servers on the floor, like between 2-5, or 9-11.

Answer 3

First off..Congratulations!! you will make way more money and in half the hours then when you were working an 8-5. It was a great decision and you will love it! Just make sure you communicate with your tables and you will be fine. If you are busy, behind, mess up, etc just let them know and it will be fine. People get upset when you ignore them. If you cant get to the table right away just say "ill be right with you". Most importantly have fun, you will make more tips. Make sure you enjoy the people you work with as well as the managers, because if you don't, it will reflect in your tips! Good Luck and once again you made a great choice :)

stephanie
www.BuyandSellUsedJeans.com

Answer 4

Actually, I think you can take your own experiences in restraunts and learn from them. What do you like to see/hear when your out for dinner or whatever.

Smile alot, be friendly, chatty when its appropriate (not while the customer has food in their mouth). If you mess up, apologize nicely...we all make mistakes and most people will be sympathetic.

Have fun, too. Take it as an oppurtunity to meet nice people. If you're having a bad day...try to shrug it off and smile anyway.

Good luck with your new job, and school!

Answer 5

Smile, be courtesy. Arrive at your shift early to get the list of specials and receive other daily instruction. Be clean and neat in your dress. If you are having a bad day, don't let it show. If your customers are having a bad day, don' let that get to you. Treat everyone as if you were the owner of the restaurant, and if they decided NOT to come back it would be money that you lose. Take extra time for the elderly, and for children. Oh, did I say SMILE?

Answer 6

Here are some tips for providing good service and increasing your tips:

1.) Be Friendly
2.) Use your name
3.) Try to suggest dishes, drinks, appetizers, desserts, etc.
4.) Keep drinks filled, extra napkins, etc. without being asked.
5.) They say touching a person on their shoulder while waiting on them can increase tips.
6.) Don't let the jerks ruin your day. = )

Hope this helps, good luck and congrats on going back to school. Its tough, but its worth it.

Answer 7

Check in with your tables frequently. I was a hostess for awhile and nothing pissed off customers more then having their waitress disappear for 20 minutes for a cigarette break. If you need a break, ask another waitress or host to look in on the table and don't come back reeking of cigarettes!

Answer 8

First of all, smile and look like you're happy to be there. Be helpful when asked questions by the dining people. In order to be helpful, you should be very familiar with the menu so you can answer questions about the food and describe it well.

Answer 9

Patience Patience Patience.

Answer 10

Since you are going to be around a lot of people a lot, make sure you smile a lot, and be really friendly.......instead of asking "Do you want?" say "would you like?" it sounds a little more professional.........good luck!