"Hi folks, welcome into Famous Dave's. My name is Famous Ashley and I'll be taking care ... "
"Yeah, we will take Dr. Pepper and a Sierra Mist, please, with a lime for the Dr. Pepper."
"I will get right on that for you."
When you're hosting a backyard bar-b-que, you wouldn't interrupt the guests you invite when they're talking, so why do it to your server at a restaurant? Yeah, when we go out to dinner, we want the perfect experience and perfect service with food arriving in a prompt manner and your glass to be full at all times.
But then, your waiter hurries back to your table with your drinks and no limes. How dare she forget the one task on hand? She had one job, what else could she possibly be doing besides waiting on your every need and desire?
You failed to realize exactly how many other tables she greeted when she arrived at your table. Along with a full section herself, she is also trying to help her co-workers with their busy section, along with making drinks with the bartender and helping run food to other tables. The life of a server is not slow-paced, and it is not easy.
Servers are the face of every restaurant we walk into. Whether that be a five-star restaurant or your local Applebee's, the first face to greet you and the last to say goodbye will be your beloved servers. But remember, these servers are servers and NOT servants, so treat them like so. To help you with this task, I have provided 10 things each server wishes you knew.
1. Only tell a server you are ready to order when you are actually ready.
There is nothing wrong with asking for more time before you place your order, but please do not make your server stand in front of you waiting for you to decide if you want corn and green beans as your second side choice. The time spending waiting on you to decide is less time I could be efficiently helping other guests with their visit.
2. Look at your server when you are ordering.
It is so difficult for servers to hear what you're ordering when the restaurant is full, and you're talking into your menu. Please acknowledge any server with eye contact who may be taking your order(s).
3. It is not that easy to "hook you up."
Those extra fries you want or a little bit of extra alcohol in the drink is a lot more complicated to get than you may think. We have to enter every little item into the computer system in order for the ticket to be received by the bartender or kitchen staff. Then, if we want something voided off a ticket, we have to give our managers a valid reason as to why the restaurant should be giving away free items instead of someone paying for them. Keeping my job is very important to me. It puts food on the table and money in my pocket, so please remember this next time when I tell you I cannot "hook you up."
4. Be aware of how long your order takes to make.
If you order a well-done burger, you're going to wait a little longer than if you ordered some pork or brisket for your main course.
5. Your server is always busy.
Although there may be a few lazy servers, the majority of us are busting our butts from the time we arrive until the time we lock those doors and head home. Not only are servers waiting tables, we also have a tremendous amount of side work that managers also like us to keep up with throughout the shift. So if I haven't checked on you in five to seven minutes, there's a chance I'm getting more ice, filling sauces, or checking on other tables.
6. Do not blame us for our prices.
Us servers do not get to decide how much a drink or meal is going to cost. There are people superior to us who get to sit around and decide how much a meal will cost. And no matter what, if you have consumed your meal, you are expected to pay for it. So please be aware of the item prices before you are surprised about the bill.
7. Servers are paid less than minimum wage.
Whenever you hear someone say they aren't tipping because server's make the state's minimum wage, please kindly remind them that most servers make an average of $2 to $3 an hour. Servers work off of tips. Many restaurants are allowed to bypass the federal minimum wage requirements in light of tips. And after taxes are taken out of the checks we receive, most servers will have less than $10 on their check. So please leave your server a tip they can make a living wage off of.
8. Leave a cash tip.
By doing so, you are ensuring that the money is going directly to your server, and staying with her. It is a lot more beneficial to every server that you leave a cash tip.
9. Mention your server's name in a good online review.
This gives the server major brownie points with their managers. Although customers only tend to write reviews when they are unhappy with their service, it is always nice to read a thought-out review on a restaurant and server who did a superb job taking care of you. When a manager reads nice things about a server, they are more likely to get more hours and rewarded appropriately.
10. Treat us as servers, not servants
Our main task as servers is to provide you with the best service we possibly can, in hopes that you will return again. With all the tips I have given you, treating your servers as servers instead of servants will be a breeze. Thank you, and come again!
