When you bring the food, try and place the food in front of the customer that ordered it. Try to never ask or got what or as some would say, “auction off the food”. If you have a hard time remembering who got what, next time try and mark on the check a seat number or some way of remembering who got what. This just makes it seem more like you took the time to listen and that you take your job seriously.
Make sure you go back to the table within a few minutes to make sure that all the food is okay, that way if there is a problem with anything, you can fix it right away. Keep up with refills on drinks and just remember to keep checking on them. After they finish eating, take their empty dishes away as soon as possible.
Always ask the customer if they would like dessert, this increases the bill a hopefully increases your tip. After the customer is done, be sure and thank them and also maybe try and start a brief conversation with them. Some people don’t want to be bothered, and that’s fine, but some like a little conversation and maybe a laugh or two.
Out of all of these pointers, there is one most important that I left out, keep a smile on your face. If you have personal problems outside of work, or maybe at work, never let it show. Keep a positive attitude, and let it show. If you have a good attitude, even the bad situations can seem a little better. When customers have a good experience and good service and of course good food, they will be sure to leave you a better tip. And tips are what you are there for.
about this article.
 Waiting tips response
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Comments by: Sarah
from South England May 13, 2007
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| I am a waitress trainer for a large company in England. Your advice is exactly what i tell all of the people I train and you have picked up on alot of the tips that my head office give us. Its good advice and alot of the time its the simple things like a smile that waiting staff can forget, but make a huge difference for the customer. The best advice anyone has given me is to rememebr how you like to be treated when you go out for a meal. Good Luck to those starting waiting jobs. |
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 newbie nerves
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Comments by: Jody
from Cedar Rapids, IA Mar 27, 2007
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| I managed to land myself a very nice job at what will soon be a very exclusive restaurant. I have never waitressed before. I have actually been a librarian for the last 3 1/2 years, so I am anxious about this new job. This has given me some tips that I hadn't thought about. My southernness I think will take me far, but I think your article will help me go a little farther. |
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 It's hard being the waitress or waiter
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Comments by: shelley
from Canada Jan 05, 2007
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| I liked your article, but I didn't learn anything that I didn't know. You do understand though |
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 For amatuers only
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Comments by: Susan
from Maine Oct 03, 2006
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| I agree with the comments of the other waitress, most of these tips are commonly known or common sense. I don't, however, agree with pitching dessert before the meal is done. Most people would feel rushed and consider you to be pushy. Let them enjoy their meal then entice them with a delightful description of the desserts you are offering. |
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 No help.
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Comments by: left unhelped.
from Houston, TX USA Sep 03, 2005
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| While this article is very true I fell to gain any insight on how to become better at what I do. Everything listed in the article is commen sense. Yes, you should always keep their table clean of trash and empty plates, for one because the more the table looks empty the more they feel they need to buy to keep something there. And common sense tells you to upsale, upsale, upsale. Attempt the perfect check; alcohol, appetizer, entree, and dessert. It is not hard at all if you know when to go after it. Hint, when going after the attempt to sell dessert don't wait until they completely finished which means totally stuffed themselves to ask them. Ask them once the "feeding frenzy" is over and they have begun slowing down it's noticable we all do it. This way they aren't stuffed but almost full and then you can go in and put their mind on having dessert. Overall, I feel there is nothing written out there to improve my own skills. The whole serving thing comes natural to me. |
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thanks for the tips!
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Comments by: Liz
from Concord, NC Jun 06, 2005
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| this article really helped...i seldom take plates away from customers when they are finished eating...i also never ask them if they would like dessert. theres just so many things i dont think about, thanks for all the useful tips! |
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