How to be a GREAT waitress?

Question

If you could tell a waitress one (or maybe a few) things to help her be the best, what would it be? I was a waitress 10 years ago, and I'm looking to get back into it soon. Maybe list a pro and a con of what to and not to do. Thanks a bunch!

WOW! Thank you for all of the fabulous answers. You all are such a GREAT help. Thank you!

Answer 1

1 thing I learned from a coworker was to never ever joke with a regular about tips! Other customers may complain that the waitress is stingy and they may tip you really low or not at all. Always have fun with kids if there's any. The parents will *love* you if you do. Smile and be happy no matter what kind of day you're having. Tell jokes if you can and try not to go back to their table *too* much. If it's kinda slow, try not to kick back and talk with coworkers because customers will think you're being lazy and start asking (rudely) for service. When behind the counters, clean up what you can, while you can and constantly wash your hands. Before taking dirty plates, ask the customers if they're through with them and pick up any straw wrappers, or other "obvious" trash on the table. The customers will think you're super clean and may request you if they constantly go. When people have coffee or soda (free refill drinks) try to refill them before it gets too low. The customer will notice that you pay attention to them. When making desserts and/or salads, make them look nice. Ask the cooks to put parsley on the food/plate and customers will like how "pretty" their food looks. Don't "yell" to the cooks. Try to talk at a normal volume but to where the cook can hear you, but not to where you're really loud. (A coworker used to talk LOUD to the cooks and it made customers get startled and she sounded like she was mad/mean!) Let your coworkers know when you helped their customers and/or took their food out. When customers see that there's a nice relationship with workers, they feel more relaxed. Never use foul language! Even the "small bad words" (stupid, dumb, etc) will make people angry, especially older ones and parents. Also, if a table isn't yours, and they need help, help them if you can. It'll make your relationship with coworkers better and the customers won't feel that they're being ignored. Another important thing: never ever ever! leave food ready to serve waiting there if it's not yours! If customers see the ready food under the heater thingy, and everyone walking by it because "it's not their table's food" it'll look *so* bad! There's so much more but I can't think of them! These are just a few tips I would recommend for returning/new waitresses :)

Answer 2

What makes a great waitress is one who anticipates your needs. For example, your water glass is empty or you need more coffee - your waitress is there with the coffee pot or water. Another trait would be not to hover around the table making your customer feel like they need to hurry up and leave. A great waitress is one who smiles and puts the customers at ease. Courteous and being polite are important. What do you have to do and learn? You need to know your menu and what the specials are for the day. You need to repeat back to the customer the order you have just taken to make sure you got it right! Other things would be suggesting desserts after dinner. Suggesting side orders such as salad, bread sticks, etc. You have been a waitress before so this is second hand stuff to you. You will be fine. The reason I think so is because you took the time to ask! Good luck with your new job!

Answer 3

Know the menu - including ingredients.

Always make eye contact with every table, every time you are in the dining room. This will ensure that you are available.

Every time you go into the dining room bring something - every time you leave the dining room bring something.

Help you're fellow servers - don't have the attitude "that's not my table"

If a mistake is made, even if it's not your fault, take the blame. You will be amazed how far a sincere apology goes, blaming someone else sounds hollow.

Never ask - "do you need change?" - always say "I'll be right back with your change" Many times the customer will say "No thank you, it's all set"

BE ON TIME TO WORK

Answer 4

Don't leave them waiting long after they first sit down.
Always set their table up with silverware, napkin and ice
water, if the place serves water.
Check for refills during their meal or appetizers.
Always stop by to ask once if they'ed like anything else, even
if it's an extra napkin they might need. Or sweetening packets for iced tea or coffee. No need to ask, just look.
Always thank them for choosing your restaurant when you
lay the bill on the table.They will remember that friendliness
and come back. And always remember to smile when you
speak to them. Often, they've had a bad day themselves.

Answer 5

Consolidation is the key. The more you can do at once the better. Always walk onto the "floor" with something for your tables and always walk back to the kitchen with dirty dishes/checks requiring change/etc. If you always look busy your tables will appreciate what they are getting.
Take care of the kids too. We call it "kid sizzle" at Chilis. A happy child means a happy parent. Bring their meals out first so they can get started and their parents can actually enjoy a hot meal for a change.
Kill them with kindness. I have made plenty of mistake waiting tables for the last 7 years. But I have never had a complaint. Why? Because I kill them with kindness. Im too sweet and nice and polite to be mad at. Attitude is everything.
Good Luck!

Answer 6

One thing for sure is to always,once in a while, look over to see how they are doing, and also to stop by quite frequently and to always ask if there is anything else, like a refill, any other condiments, or if everything is as they ordered it. Ask occasionally if there is anything else and how is it.
One of the biggest things is to make sure that if they order it a special way, make sure it comes out that way, even if you have to go back to the cook and tell them personally.
One thing I would never do is to never come by and just drop the food off and leave.
And finally, don't be like the wait staff on the movie "Waiting"
Good Luck

Answer 7

pro-get to know the ppl ur waiting on and make conversation. ask them how there day is going or if theyve gone here before.
con-rush to diff. tables without much interaction

pro-ask how the food is and keep drinks refilled and ask if anything is needed
con-not coming back for long intervals of time

pro-before they leave say thanks for coming and that u enjoyed being there waitress
con-sound repetitive like uve done this a million times

Answer 8

Smile, remember the client is always right (most of the time) go to work clean, nails done, hair tied back, always go back and check on guest to see if everything is ok Dont smack gum and dont use swear words

Answer 9

be a good listener, prepare by knowing what everything tastes like and be able to describe it, don't rate it by how you like it but try to find out what the people are looking for, suggest to the chef that there be a pre-service tasting so you can describe everything, for single male patrons play up to their ego by flirting and looking sexy, for couples be respectful and equally accomodating to both, smile and look happy, keep an eye on your customers to anticpate their needs if you see them looking around for you then come by and make eye contact to have them grab you for help

Answer 10

I agree with others who said smile and be attentive. Be friendly, but not so much that you feel the need to share your life story with me. Be knowledgable about the menu items. Also, don't spill on your customer - happened to me. don't give my dinner to another patron and then bring it to me - true story. Don't stand around staring into space when I'm trying to get your attention.