Difference between revisions of "Be a Great Waitress"
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#*Always ask if the table would like an appetizer. | #*Always ask if the table would like an appetizer. | ||
#*Never be pushy or deceptive. Present the option to the customer politely, and don't try to pass off an upgrade as though it were free. | #*Never be pushy or deceptive. Present the option to the customer politely, and don't try to pass off an upgrade as though it were free. | ||
| − | #Multitask. You'll have a much easier shift if you can accomplish three tasks in one trip to the kitchen and back. Take empty dishes from tables whenever you're on your way to the kitchen. Fill up a tray when several tables want condiments, drinks, or similar items instead of carrying them out one by one.<ref>http://www.stuckserving.com/waiter-articles/the-top-three-waiter-and-waitress-skills</ref> | + | #Multitask. You'll have a much easier shift if you can accomplish three tasks in one trip to the kitchen and back. Take empty dishes from tables whenever you're on your way to the kitchen. Fill up a tray when several tables want condiments, drinks, or similar items instead of carrying them out one by one.<ref name="rf15754">http://www.stuckserving.com/waiter-articles/the-top-three-waiter-and-waitress-skills</ref> |
#*Unless you are an experienced waitress who can confidently remember every task, write your orders down immediately and make additional notes if you need to remember to do something in five or ten minutes. | #*Unless you are an experienced waitress who can confidently remember every task, write your orders down immediately and make additional notes if you need to remember to do something in five or ten minutes. | ||
| − | #Manage your time well. Keep track of how long its been since you checked on each table, and become familiar with how long each meal takes to cook. Plan to visit each table after they've finished each course. Move briskly without running and try to maintain a steady pace to keep everything running smoothly.<ref | + | #Manage your time well. Keep track of how long its been since you checked on each table, and become familiar with how long each meal takes to cook. Plan to visit each table after they've finished each course. Move briskly without running and try to maintain a steady pace to keep everything running smoothly.<ref name="rf15754" /> |
#*Pass on your knowledge of waiting times to the customer. If someone orders a well done steak, let them know it will take longer. If a soup just ran out and the cook needs to make a new one, let the customer know how long that will take and suggest an alternative. | #*Pass on your knowledge of waiting times to the customer. If someone orders a well done steak, let them know it will take longer. If a soup just ran out and the cook needs to make a new one, let the customer know how long that will take and suggest an alternative. | ||
#Check the food before bringing it to the customer. Especially when there are special requests involved, you can save everyone a lot of headache by making sure the order is correct before bringing it to the table. | #Check the food before bringing it to the customer. Especially when there are special requests involved, you can save everyone a lot of headache by making sure the order is correct before bringing it to the table. | ||
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=== Interacting With Customers for Better Tips=== | === Interacting With Customers for Better Tips=== | ||
| − | #Introduce yourself. Make eye contact with the customers after they are seated and promptly introduce yourself. This starts the conversation out on the right foot, leading to better tips on average, and gives them a polite way to get your attention later.<ref>http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201207/six-tips-get-higher-tips</ref> | + | #Introduce yourself. Make eye contact with the customers after they are seated and promptly introduce yourself. This starts the conversation out on the right foot, leading to better tips on average, and gives them a polite way to get your attention later.<ref name="rf15755">http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201207/six-tips-get-higher-tips</ref> |
#*Multitask by introducing yourself as you pass out the menus and check that every customer has enough silverware and napkins. | #*Multitask by introducing yourself as you pass out the menus and check that every customer has enough silverware and napkins. | ||
#Stay polite, friendly and helpful, even to angry customers. When speaking to customers, always use respectful terms of address such as sir, ma'am, and miss. Act friendly and positive, and make your customers feel as comfortable as possible. | #Stay polite, friendly and helpful, even to angry customers. When speaking to customers, always use respectful terms of address such as sir, ma'am, and miss. Act friendly and positive, and make your customers feel as comfortable as possible. | ||
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#*Don't talk or gossip about customers even when you think they can't hear you. Remain polite and respectful when discussing them in case they are in earshot. | #*Don't talk or gossip about customers even when you think they can't hear you. Remain polite and respectful when discussing them in case they are in earshot. | ||
#Respect the customer's personal space. Never sit down at the table to take an order. Don't shake hands or hug unless you are personal friends with the customer, or you are shaking hands to greet them as per restaurant policy. Other physical interactions depend on the atmosphere of the place you work, and whether you are a man or woman. | #Respect the customer's personal space. Never sit down at the table to take an order. Don't shake hands or hug unless you are personal friends with the customer, or you are shaking hands to greet them as per restaurant policy. Other physical interactions depend on the atmosphere of the place you work, and whether you are a man or woman. | ||
| − | #*Studies of U.S. restaurants show that women who touch a customer lightly on the shoulder, hand, or arm receive better tips from that customer on average.<ref | + | #*Studies of U.S. restaurants show that women who touch a customer lightly on the shoulder, hand, or arm receive better tips from that customer on average.<ref name="rf15755" /> This should only be done when the customer appears relaxed and comfortable, and never if the customer is on a date with a woman. Be friendly rather than flirtatious. |
#Personally advise the customer about their order. If a customer asks for advice, be prepared to answer whatever questions they have or recommend your favorite dish in each category. If a customer orders a dish that gets a lot of complaints, try to recommend another option. | #Personally advise the customer about their order. If a customer asks for advice, be prepared to answer whatever questions they have or recommend your favorite dish in each category. If a customer orders a dish that gets a lot of complaints, try to recommend another option. | ||
#*Customers like it when you give them the "inside scoop", but you shouldn't go so far as to insult a dish unless you work in an unusually relaxed environment. Instead, steer them away from a bad dish by recommending a similar, better option as "the chef's specialty" or "my personal favorite". | #*Customers like it when you give them the "inside scoop", but you shouldn't go so far as to insult a dish unless you work in an unusually relaxed environment. Instead, steer them away from a bad dish by recommending a similar, better option as "the chef's specialty" or "my personal favorite". | ||
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#*Never lie to a customer and give them an ingredient they requested to have removed. If you can't accommodate the request, simply say so and suggest a similar alternative that the customer can eat. | #*Never lie to a customer and give them an ingredient they requested to have removed. If you can't accommodate the request, simply say so and suggest a similar alternative that the customer can eat. | ||
#*Don't question your customers. Keep in mind there are many reasons for menu change requests, such as religious, vegetarian/vegan and cultural dietary restrictions. If the request can be accommodated, don't ask why they made it! | #*Don't question your customers. Keep in mind there are many reasons for menu change requests, such as religious, vegetarian/vegan and cultural dietary restrictions. If the request can be accommodated, don't ask why they made it! | ||
| − | #Repeat the order back to your customers. Studies of U.S. establishments show that waitstaff who repeat the order to the customers receive more tips.<ref | + | #Repeat the order back to your customers. Studies of U.S. establishments show that waitstaff who repeat the order to the customers receive more tips.<ref name="rf15755" /> However big or small that effect might be, it also gives the customer a chance to correct any mistakes or change their mind. |
#Check on your customers regularly and give them updates. If you just got a job as a waiter or waitress, it may take some time to get a feel for how frequently you should check on each table. At least check in whenever they are finishing a course or if they look bored or irritated while waiting for their food. | #Check on your customers regularly and give them updates. If you just got a job as a waiter or waitress, it may take some time to get a feel for how frequently you should check on each table. At least check in whenever they are finishing a course or if they look bored or irritated while waiting for their food. | ||
#*Give them a specific time estimate if they ask how long the food will take, whenever possible. | #*Give them a specific time estimate if they ask how long the food will take, whenever possible. | ||
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===Learning at a New Job=== | ===Learning at a New Job=== | ||
#Learn the menu in advance. When you interview, be proactive and ask for a menu to take with you. Study it on your own to become familiar with the food available. Chain restaurants have great training programs that guide you through the menu and kitchen; bars and smaller places expect you to learn on your own. | #Learn the menu in advance. When you interview, be proactive and ask for a menu to take with you. Study it on your own to become familiar with the food available. Chain restaurants have great training programs that guide you through the menu and kitchen; bars and smaller places expect you to learn on your own. | ||
| − | #Show up to work early. Punctuality is important for any job, especially one you've just started. Restaurants are particularly fast-paced during peak hours, however, and you'll make a good impression if you're ready to work on the dot or even a little in advance.<ref>http://thewaitressconfessions.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/9-tips-for-a-waiterwaitress-in-training/</ref> | + | #Show up to work early. Punctuality is important for any job, especially one you've just started. Restaurants are particularly fast-paced during peak hours, however, and you'll make a good impression if you're ready to work on the dot or even a little in advance.<ref name="rf15756">http://thewaitressconfessions.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/9-tips-for-a-waiterwaitress-in-training/</ref> |
| − | #Listen to experienced employees carefully. Even if you have worked as a waitress before, you should pay attention to the details of your new job. Each restaurant does things slightly differently, and paying attention during training will let you do your job more smoothly.<ref | + | #Listen to experienced employees carefully. Even if you have worked as a waitress before, you should pay attention to the details of your new job. Each restaurant does things slightly differently, and paying attention during training will let you do your job more smoothly.<ref name="rf15756" /> It also never hurts to be respectful to your boss and coworkers, of course, rather than blowing them off with phrases such as "I know this already." |
| − | #Keep up with the pace. If you've never worked in a busy restaurant before, you could be surprised by how fast-paced and exhausting the work is. Do your best to keep up to the pace of the other waitstaff. As you grow more accustomed to the job, you'll have a somewhat easier time. At the beginning, you may need to push yourself.<ref | + | #Keep up with the pace. If you've never worked in a busy restaurant before, you could be surprised by how fast-paced and exhausting the work is. Do your best to keep up to the pace of the other waitstaff. As you grow more accustomed to the job, you'll have a somewhat easier time. At the beginning, you may need to push yourself.<ref name="rf15756" /> |
| − | #Perform unpleasant tasks without complaining. You'll start at the bottom of the totem pole, but you won't work your way up by complaining. Clean tables and work unpleasant hours if you are asked to, and remember that you'll have more choice once you're more established.<ref | + | #Perform unpleasant tasks without complaining. You'll start at the bottom of the totem pole, but you won't work your way up by complaining. Clean tables and work unpleasant hours if you are asked to, and remember that you'll have more choice once you're more established.<ref name="rf15756" /> |
| − | #Take criticisms in stride. Waiting tables can feel a little cutthroat, as some waitstaff will blame you personally if they think you contributed to a bad customer experience (and therefore a bad tip).<ref | + | #Take criticisms in stride. Waiting tables can feel a little cutthroat, as some waitstaff will blame you personally if they think you contributed to a bad customer experience (and therefore a bad tip).<ref name="rf15756" /> Know that you'll receive less criticism once you learn the ropes, and try to smile and not let it get to you. |
#*This is definitely not true of every restaurant. Don't be scared off from applying to a waiting job before you know the atmosphere of the establishment. | #*This is definitely not true of every restaurant. Don't be scared off from applying to a waiting job before you know the atmosphere of the establishment. | ||
#Volunteer for extra shifts. Especially in the beginning, you want management and coworkers to know you are reliable. Once you know you can handle an extra shift, volunteer to cover a gap in the schedule so you stand out to your new boss. | #Volunteer for extra shifts. Especially in the beginning, you want management and coworkers to know you are reliable. Once you know you can handle an extra shift, volunteer to cover a gap in the schedule so you stand out to your new boss. | ||
