tips-from-waitors-and-waitressesthanks-for-sharing

by Bev
(Bellingham, WA)

I came across this article in Reader's Digest that I am subscribed to. It's titled "13 Things Your Waiter Won't Tell You" by Waiter Rant-"Thanks for the Tip-Confessions of a Cynical Waiter."

As a former waitress, I can relate to what he was saying and when I do dine out, I go with many of these tips in mind.

Tip #1 Avoid eating out on Saturday nights and holidays. Even though I don't quite agree with the Saturday nights, I do get his drift about his reasons mainly for the holidays. "The sheer volume of customers guarantees that most kitchens will be pushed beyond their abilities to produce a high-quality dish." My take on the holidays is that the workers would rather be home for the holidays, therefore, the quality in service and dishes probably aren't really worth going out for on holidays.

Tip #2 Always keep in mind that there are never any "sick days" in the restaurant business. "A busboy, (cook, or waiter/waitress) with children are never going to stay home and miss out on $100 because he or she has strip throat (and still have bills to pay). These are the people handling your food."

Tip #3 "When customer's dissatisfaction devolves into personal attacks, adulterating food or drink is a convenient way for servers to exact covert vengeance." He goes on to say, "Waiters can and do spit in people's food." I feel those kind of waiters/waitresses shouldn't even be in public!!! I'm sure this goes on, but I can't imagine anyone with a conscience doing this!!! Yuk!

Tip #4 Never say "I'm friends with the owner." He goes on to say, "Restaurant owners don't have friends. This marks you as a clueless poseur the moment you walk into the door." I can't help but disagree! If I am a friend of a restaurant owner and you don't believe me...try me! On the other hand, I don't think I would say that just to get pampered service, either. I would talk to my "restaurant owner friend" about how my service was...truthfully.

Tip #5 No need to be reminded...treat others especially those waiting on you as you would want to be treated. (You may reap what you sow! Don't be rude and difficult! You're not the only one dining there even if you are! If you want to be rude and difficult...eat at home.)

Tip #6 (My biggest pet peeve while waitressing...) Don't snap your fingers to get attention! (Waiters and waitresses are not dogs!) Simply put your point finger or hand up half way in the air when they come around to let them know you need something and by all means....wait your turn!

Tip #7 "Don't order meals that aren't on the menu. You're forcing the chef to make something he doesn't make on a regular basis. If he makes the same entree' 10,000 times a month, the odds are good that the dish will be a home run every time."

Tip #8 Splitting entrees is okay, but don't ask for water, lemon, and sugar to make your own lemonade. What's next? Grapes so you can press your own wine?

Tip #9 "If you find a waiter/waitress you like, always ask to be seated in his or her section. Tell all your friends so they'll start asking for that server as well. You've just made that waiter/waitress indispensable to the owner. The server will be grateful and take good care of you.

Tip #10 "If you can't afford to leave a tip, you can't afford to eat out." Period. Waiters and waitresses give 20-40 percent of their tips to bus boys, bartenders, and sometimes the cooks. They deserve 10-15 percent of your ticket price if not more! Even those who aren't serving well should get at least a 10 percent tip for their efforts. If the food was bad it's not their fault! They still deserve a tip. They are the ones catching the heck for it.

Tip #11 Always examine the check. Sometimes large parties are unaware that a gratuity has already been added to the bill and people will tip on top of that not knowing. Waiter's and waitresses will "facilitate" the error in most cases. It is dishonest and it's wrong, but...

Tip #12 "If you want to hang out, that's fine. But increase the tip to make up for the money the server could have made if he or she had had another seating at the table." Makes good sense...

Tip #13 "Never, ever come in 15 minutes before closing time. The cooks are tired and will cook your dinner right away. So while you're chit-chatting over salads, your main dish will be languishing under the heat lamp while the dishwasher is spraying industrial strength carcinogenic cleaning solvents in their immediate vicinity."

Any more tips from past or present waiters and waitresses, please use the comments!