What makes someone a good waitress?

Question

I'm trying to become a waitress to help pay for college... What is the best way to make good tips? I can be pretty shy at times, so I know I need to work on that, but what else can I do?
I need all the help I can get...and I know it helps to be pretty! lol..I should probably work on that, too. LOL!

Thanks!

Answer 1

I've been a server for about 20 years and I've trained around 200+ servers. I say this just to let you know I have some experience in the area of new servers and what they need to know. And all of the points that the others have made here are very good answers. The point that I would add is this...I'm sure that you know you need to smile, refill drinks, be attentive to your guest, be up-beat, and try to sell extra food/drinks but the only way you can do this is if you're confident and comfortable.
What I mean by this is if you don't know the menu you won't feel confident in answering guests questions. If you don't know how to ring the order in on the restaurants computer system you won't be comfortable doing this. If you're not organized in your order taking, such as with large parties, you will lose control of the situation and be run to death by them and you won't be comfortable because you'll be frazzled instead.
How can you be confident and comfortable?
All restaurants have a training program, it's usually about 5 days. This is your opportunity, and that's exactly what it is-an opportunity, for you to learn all that you need to know to do your job. After all, the person training you knows all that stuff already, that's why they're training you. So...when you're in training pay close attention to what your trainer is doing. Be interactive with what they're doing, don't just stand back with your arms crossed. A good trainer will teach you the basics of how to do your job and some small points to enhance your service to get that bigger tip.

Side note...Unfortunately there are some trainers out there that think a trainee is a "server's assistant". What this means is if a guest needs a drink refill they'll send the trainee for it while they ring in their order--this is SO wrong. A trainer should keep the trainee with them at all times so that they can teach them as they go. Why? Because not everything you need to learn can be verbalized, it must be shown to you through an actual experience. If this should happen to you by all means don't feel bad about bringing it up to the manager, that's what they're there for. Just don't make it sound too b*tchy.

Good luck and my the 20% tip God shine upon you always!

Answer 2

Forget the shyness...... You have to look into there eyes and introduce yourself. It is harder to stiff "Teresa" then it is the waitress with no name.

I have found that people like attentive service, without you bugging them. They don't like to be interrupt to ask if they need more soda. You see the cup empty, just fill it up. Try to work at a restaurant that has fast service or a buffet. When the food comes late , the costumer always blames the waitress. Keep dirty dishes off of the table, make sure they are finish before removing the plate though.
Learn the regulars! Lots of elderly and singles come in for food daily. They also like good conversation and to be recognized when they come in. They get lonely at home and really enjoy the time they spend at the restaurant daily.
Oh, and no ones likes to have to ask for silverware, napkins, straws, lemons, clean plates, rolls... always bring those things as you greet the customer. Good luck!

Eat out and remember what you like and dislike about different waitresses.... this should help. Remember people like different service and no matter how good you are you will still get non-tippers and rude unsatisfied customers.

Answer 3

Cosmo
If you care enough to ask, I'm sure you'll do fine on the job.

I eat out regularly because I'm single and I work alot, so I eat out or pick something up 4 or 5 nights a week and have for many years. It's not healthy but I've gained alot of eating out experiences.
Anyway, here's my list:

1. Stop by the table when someone first sits down, regardless of how busy you are. There's no need to hang around, just let them know you're aware.
The first few minutes when someone has nothing to eat, nothing to drink, and no menu to look at, they will be wondering where you are, particularly if they are hungry. If a busboy doesn't do it, run some cold icewaters the second you suspect you'll have a table, and drop them off when you say hi (presuming management will allow this, but they can be weird about stuff.)

2. Be a real person. Nothing bothers me more than a waitress that puts on a fake smile and fake attitude or if they run and get the guy to wait on me when it's clear that I'm sitting in their area. Just because I'm a guy dining alone with a book doesn't mean I'm a socially inept weirdo that's about to ask them out. This happens occasionally, and it's quite offensive. When this happens, I'll ask the guy if they split tips, and if not, I'll tip 30% to make a point.
On the other hand, If I've been greeted with a genuine smile and receive even mostly competent service, I'll tip around 20%. It goes down from there quickly based on neglect or attitude. I'm easy to make happy though, so this is maybe 1 in 20 meals.

3. Make sure they get all the condiments they need when the food comes out. For that matter, always check that they have silverware too. I've sat for 5 minutes waiting on a fork and knife many times.

4. If you ask them how they are doing and if they need something, don't dash off in a microsecond if I can't get an answer out quick enough. I may have food in my mouth. I may need 2 seconds to think. Pause a moment and wait for a clear answer. I can't count the times that a waitress has asked me 'how are you doing', and had her back turned to me heading the other way at 20 mph before she'd finished the sentence.

5. Don't rush people out. Bring a check after they've either had or declined dessert, and tell them there's no rush, but that you'll pick it up when they are ready. Ask if they need a doggy bag/box.

6. This point is out of sequence, and maybe wouldn't apply to you, but I've had waitresses be very flirty when they've given me really bad service throughout the meal. I've seen them laughing and chatting it up for 20 minutes near the bar or in a booth or on a cell phone, while I patiently wait for a drink to wash down my food, sending up the occasional flare, at which point they come by and artificially treat me like a boyfriend back from the war, just to make sure the tip is ok. It's not. This happens most frequently when the restuarant is very slow.

7. Don't presume that the single diner is going to order water and salad and tip 3% or that we'd like to sit in the phonebooth by the restroom. Professionals that need a good meal, and appreciate good service will tip well after a good meal with a drink and sometimes a desert. It all adds up.

8. Say 'thanks and have a good night' and smile at the end. It might be the only smile they've had all day. You may not have had any either, and you'll get one back. There's no telling what an appreciative customer is willing to do to help in the future. Some of them work places where you might need a contact or reference. Others might have suggestions that will help with problems. You might need a jumpstarted battery in the lot one day. It's hard to know. Just remember that diners are real people.

Good luck
Kevin

Answer 4

Pay attention to your customers! Listen to what they request. Always smile, even if you have had a bad day and be as upbeat as you can without looking like an airhead.
If you are working in a chain restaurant, watch the different customers around your designated area. You will need an eye for detail, check their drinks, recommend a dish if someone is unsure, try to keep them happy.

Be courteous most of all, a good waitress will get good tips!

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What makes someone a good waitress?
I'm trying to become a waitress to help pay for college... What is the best way to make good tips? I can be pretty shy at times, so I know I need to work on that, but what else can I do?
I need all the help I can get...and I know it helps to be pretty! lol..I should probably work on that, too....

Answer 6

How To Be A Waitress

Answer 7

Check your daily problems at the door, you can pick them up on the way out. SMILE and be nice! If you have any downtime, learn the menu really REALLY well. Trust me, customers don't read it. They'll order a Coke when the menu says only Pepsi. They'll order a prime rib and there's 3 different sizes. They'll order red wine and when you ask what kind, they'll say chardonnay! And upsell as much as you can with a smile. If they order an appetizer, you ask "Would you like cheese/ranch/salsa with it tonight?" "Prime rib? Excellent choice. How would you like that done? *wait* Oh and would like the horseradish with it?" "OK, hashbrowns, would you like any cheese or onions on those, they're really good." I mean, it's not just selling food, it's upping your tips. People don't originally want the upsell, but if you sell yourself, people go "Oooh, that sounds good!" And as cranky as people can get sometimes, always paste that smile on your face.

Oh, and my cardinal rule for my servers was "Never let them see the bottom of their cup/glass." That's how I still judge a server, if they keep my glass refilled without me asking.

Good luck, there's good money to be made!

Answer 8

All the previous suggestions are great. There is also a great book called "Service That Sells! The Art of Profitable Hospitality" That is great for waitressing basics. Good luck!

Answer 9

Be sure to check on your customers alot and always smile, but not so much that it scares people lol. The quality I like best in a waiter or waitress is them being funny.

Answer 10

Attention to customers needs and allways smiling and happy..leave your problems at home...people like me want to go somewhere and forget about the work and stuff and enjoy ourselves..my biggest peeve is the waitress/waiter who acts like I'm bothering them...those are the ones that don't get any tips.