what are the top things a server can do that will skyrocket their tip.?

Question

i have been a surver for six years. i am fairly good at it but i want to know the WOW factor that gets customers to tip higher than they usually would.

when your server approaches you....what do you expect? what would make you tip them very generously?

(i need money to pay my school bills so i need to learn this WOW factor. thanks).

Answer 1

Smiling, eye contact and a personality helps!!
Do your job efficiently and in a friendly manner.
Don't be too over-the-top in any way. No one likes a clown for a server.

Answer 2

The wow factor:
ability to handle many guests with finesse
joke around and notice something special about each table
for example, if they have a kid, say it's cute or if you like the ladies necklace say you do, develop an ease but that is not always possible with some people because they are socially retarted so just serve the food fast, and give them service appropriately. Box up their food for them -this doesn't always work but it is worth a try. Most of the time big tips depend on if they enjoyed your service, if they had a great time in the environment. One server I know is very friendly and doesn't care about making a fool out of himself for a bigger tip. That keeps them coming back to the place. No matter how many ignorant people think 10-15% is a good tip it is always those who understand the service industry who leave a big tip to even it all out. Just be yourself and everything will work out.

Answer 3

I was actually trying to answer the question on what type of service warrants a 15% tip vs a 20% one but this is close...

When my family dines out, the agreement between my husband and me is that our server begins at the top of the tipping scale. For us, that is 20%, so to get more than that means we have adopted you and will claim you come tax time. It happens! Only the server determines whether s/he will keep that percentage during the course of the meal. Here are some of the ways a server may secure top tipping:

1 Greet us with courtesy but not over familiarity
2 Don't rush us to order but do check on our progress
3 Provide extra napkins, particularly for messier meal choices
4 Check frequently on the progression of the meal
5 Avoid profiling customers
6 Speak clearly, using proper tone and volume
7 Repeat the orders, write them down if necessary
8 Show that you truly want to accommodate our needs
9 Be helpful with choices, if needed
10 Treat us the way you or your family would like to be treated

These are ways to insure 15%, a dollar, a dime, a well-placed penny, or a request for the manager once the meal is decidedly over:
1 Give "you might as well do it yourself" service
2 Ignore us
3 Behave as though you have something better to do
4 Behave rudely
5 Bring the ticket before we are midway through the meal, never to return

Answer 4

I was a server for many years and received great tips.

Learn to "read" your customers. Some want to be treated like a buddy, some just want to be left along to enjoy the people they're eating with (or the book they brought).

Try to anticipate their needs (keep the water/coffee filled, offer cocktail refills before the glass is empty). That way you're "present" for them, without being intrusive.

When asked for suggestions, offer what you like and why -- don't try to upsell to the most expensive item. Customers see right through that. Or ask what kinds of things they generally like, and make your suggestion from there. They'll feel good that you actually provided a personal, informed answer instead of pushing whatever management wants you to push.

BIGGY - (especially at lunch): Remove plates, deliver bill, and process the payment in a timely manner. You could have provided an outstanding dining experience, but if you keep them waiting at the end, that's the last thing they remember when factoring the tip.

Do all these things and not only will your tips improve, but those people will start asking to sit in your station and you'll increase sales and have fun with regulars you like to serve. (Oh, and one last thing about regulars -- get to know their appetizers and drink orders -- approach the table and ask can I get you your xyz tonight?) Again, they love it. Regulars will start seeing your organizational and people skills and you may get a job offer out of it. I actually did -- 2 different corporate jobs! And I took one!! Good luck to you!!!

Answer 5

Hi
I was a server for 4 years, my tips were pretty good. I was very freindly towards all customers, I also made my customers feel as if they were the only and most important people in the restaurant. Without being obvious try and listen to what they're talking about, what they're reading/listening to before you take the order, you'll learn alot about the customer and the'll think you're very clever. For example: If you hear two ladies talking about dieting or healthy eating and they ask you what would you suggest is nice on the menu, recommend a salad or something similar. Or if somebody comes in and they're clearly in a bad mood, pretend not to notice and just keep smiling, it sounds silly, but they'll probably walk out there in a better mood and give you a better tip!
I hope this helps.

Answer 6

Tagway has the right idea about the purse strings. I pay the bill half of the time on dates and this includes the tip. I find that most of the time, the waitress or waiter completely ignores me and won't even acknowledge me. Instead, s/he will talk to my significant other and ask him everything. The bill is given to him and after I pay with my own credit card, he is thanked and told to have a good evening. I will not leave a tip for these rude people. This kind of service has happened in many restaurants and in many different states around the country. However, I will leave a 20% tip when acknowleged and not treated as invisible.

Answer 7

1) Getting my order right. I can forgive a server with a busy kitchen, but if I don't get my soup while I'm waiting patiently for my meal, that's not cool.

2) Get the bill processed quickly. I hate waiting for the bill. It takes the control of how much time I spend at a restaurant out of my hands.

3) Don't automatically upcharge me on my booze. If I ask for a vodka martini, and the house is Absolut, fine. Don't assume that I would choose Absolut and then charge me an extra $2 for the "luxury".

4) If my drink is empty, ask if I want a refill. I have gone entire meals without being asked if I wanted another glass of beer or wine. That's dumb on many levels.

4) Be friendly. Don't just be you. I don't get to just be me at my job. Your having a bad day? Mine just ended. Smile, and be enthusiastic about my meal. Happy servers who are really interested in what I order and passionate about the food get the extra marks in my book.

5) Ask if we want to see a dessert menu. Don't play the game where you pretend to assume I want dessert. That's manipulative. If I want dessert, I will ask.

6) If there is an emergency, and the food is very late, comp something if you can. When I get something comped, the tip goes through the roof.

Answer 8

I can't stand it when my server (male or female) caters to my husband as though I am somehow unimportant. That will upset me and in turn upset him and you can say bye bye to your tip because I'll make the final call on how much you get. My glass should never go empty. When I order a drink from the bar and the bar is backed up, you should come tell me so I am not sitting around wondering if you forgot to go pick up my drink. Be personable; make recommendations not based on price but on what tastes good to you; and DO NOT sit down next to us in the booth or at the table. I find that extremely rude. I want to have good service; I don't want you to invade my space.

On the other hand, once I know a waiter/waitress gives excellent service, I am ten times more likely to go back to that restaurant and I always request that person if available.

Hope that helps! :)

Answer 9

I am a server and I go out to eat quite frequently on my days off. In my restaraunt, we have a YES policy, it is amazing how much this is respected by our guests. If you want something and we can do it, we will (including but not limited to, going across the street to the store and getting a guest a diet root beer because we only have regular). That is huge, but nothing you can do as a server, your establishment has to fix that end.

When waiting on people with children, ALWAYS ask if they want the childrens food first, kids don't have paitents to wait 20 minutes for a meal, and most likely what they are ordering will take less than 5 to cook. When serving a child's food, make sure if the dish of mac and cheese was sitting in the window, you change out the dish, there is nothing worse than a server handing me a dish for my child and saying "careful its hot" there is no excuse for this, children's dishes should not come out hot.

Write down the order, and ask the necessary questions, UPSELL! If there is a half price salad that I can purchase with the meal, offer it, I'll probably buy it and this will increase your tip. Repeat my order back to me, maybe I forgot to tell you that I would like not lettuce or tomato on my burger, or you didn't write it down.

If your place allows free refils, don't let my drink get below the 1/2 way point. Do NOT pour coffee in my cup without asking me if I'd like more, you can ruin the perfect cup of coffee.

I have kids, I have a small window of oppertuitiy, I usually want the bill soon after we recieve our food, you could ask people, or if you see their child getting restless, give them the check and say something like "I'll leave this for you in case you have to run, but I can always add something to it if you would like anything else." Never assume that they don't want anything else, but meet their needs, they may need to leave but might like to take dessert with them.

Offer things that make your check larger, instead of saying would you like an appitizer, say "Can I sart you off with our Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla?" They may say no, and most will but for some that may sound delicious and you just added $7 to your check. Suggest particullar drinks that you are fimiliar with, be able to list the ingredients (if your not a bartender you don't need to know every drink but knowing the best sellers and the most expensive drinks will increase your alcohol sales).
In our place we can add a shrimp skewer to almost anything, so if you get a steak I ask if you would like to add a grilled shrimp skewer to that and it ups my check $5. If your guest orders water, suggest a bottle of water or a pierrer. Again, they may just stick to tap water but they might not know that botteled water is an option.

Reading your guests is the key, knowing what they want before they realize that they want it is WOWing them. Give them napkins, and wet naps if necessary, ask to fill their alcohol beverage before its empty, if you let it run out chances are they will switch to water or soda, ask while they are still drinking a little more than 1/2 way done.
Making sure they have silverware, making sure their food comes out correct and if it doesn't that your manager takes care of the problem, Say your sorry- our restaurant went 116 days without a guest complaint, because we appoligise to them and let our managers fix the problem, if that means free dessert or if it means a free meal, or maybe just the sorry and the acceptance that we made an error is enough. Reading the guest is the key. Sometimes if a mistake has been made, you might ask what can I do to fix this problem, knowing that your willing to do what is necessary is a huge thing.

Answer 10

If you want WOW...there is no substitute for KNOWING your CUSTOMERS and your BUSINESS. Everyone who comes in will be expecting slightly different things beyond the obvious. Some people prefer a personable, social environment; others would rather not have frivolous conversations with their servers. Some people are relaxed and will go with anything; others are high maintenance and want to feel that they have your complete attention. (BTW, it would be best to make sure your host/hostess has a clue when seating people. If your section is crowded and noisy, but your customers want peace and quiet, nothing you do is going to make up for it.)

As for the obvious, it is always best to introduce yourself respectfully; try to be non-intrusive. After all... people are probably not there to see you. I have had too many servers whose presence is abrasive because they do things like interrupt a conversation, or assume that I've finished my meal.

Always try to accommodate customer requests as much as your establishment will allow. This is even more effective if you can do it without saying things like "let me check with my manager". It puts you more in a position to be respected and makes your customers grateful to not have to jump through hurdles to substitute some stupid side item. BTW, I have had servers do things for me and make statements like "Ah well, I'm not supposed to do that, but I'll go ahead and do it for you." Things like this might work with some, as it will make them feel like they are getting special treatment; others however, may be offended as they think all of their requests should be met.

Know your menu...not just the names and prices but what they are made of and what they contain.

If you don't have a photographic memory, write down your orders. It's better to be seen as human than it is to actually make a mistake. Check the meal before you serve it. If it wasn't cooked properly or it's cold...don't try to serve it on the off chance they won't say something. It's your job to communicate with those preparing the meal.

If there is an error, correct it quickly, graciously, and without hesitation! Never make a customer feel like they should accept what has been offered to them, or worse, that the error is somehow their fault.

So I guess the best advice is to be attentive, and flexible in the way you serve your customers. If you remember to put your customers first, chances are they will remember to reward you for it.

p.S. If your restaurant isn't any good, there's probably not much you can do.

Answer 11

Great question. The fact that you are even interested in being a better server shows good character. I do eat out often and here are a couple of things I look at when determining how to tip.

1. Smile. Be pleasant, those that act like it is an inconvienence to serve me will not be highly tipped.
2. Be familiar with the menu, and try some things yourself. I may have a question about an item, or ask your opinion.
3. Listen carefully and write down the order. I realize some servers have good memories but some people find it irrating when servers don't write down their orders. If you don't write down the order and then I get the wrong thing I'm going to be peeved.
4. Good hygiene is a must. Make sure you look professional at all times. If you use the bathroom, make sure you wash your hands, you don't know who is watching.
5. Don't forget about me. This happens a lot with younger servers. Make sure you check back with your table every so often, ask to refill the drinks, ect. If the food is taking awhile make sure you check with kitchen and update your parties as needed. I'm not going to mind so much if my order is taking awhile if I think my server is aware of the situation and is working on it.
6. Introduce yourself to repeat customers and remember their names. Remember what they order, too, if you can. This is big. If my server remembers me from last time, I will remember them when it comes time to tip.
7. Learn to anticipate questions. If your party has small children make sure they have high chairs, kids menus, crayons, ect. Parties with small children need a little extra attention so make sure you check on them often.
8. Ask your manager for any tips he/she might have.
9. Do not flirt with either the customers or other staff members in view of the customers. This looks bad, and you never know if the customer is there with someone or not. If you cause an fight between a couple they are not going to want to tip you.

If somebody gives you a hard time, lets face it, some people are jerks, apologize for any inconvience and connect them with a manager immediately. That customer might not tip you but those who happen to witness your "courage under fire" will.

People pay extra to eat out to be taking care of. If I feel like the server went out of his/her way to achieve this, I like to reflect that in my tip.

I'm sure you'll do well, as your eagerness to improve shows you will learn how to become an awesome server. Best of luck.