We've all eaten at restaurants before, in fact, I know that it is an enjoyable and common thing to do. Whether it's date night, a family outing, a treat yo self friend day, or you're just looking for food and stumbled through the right door, the restaurant business is popular. Because of this, it is important to take a second and give some consideration to the people that make sure you get your food. From a restaurant employee, here are some tips for being a good guest.
DO: Talk to your server.
Believe it or not, we love when guests engage in conversation with us! Being kind, making eye contact, asking questions, laughing at my jokes even when they aren't funny, these are all ways to make the server feel more comfortable, and it will create a better dining experience for you!
DON'T: Talk on your phone for the whole meal.
It is so difficult to engage with guests when they are on their phones for the duration of the meal. We don't want to interrupt your important conversation, so every time we go over to ask you a question, we'll feel like we're intruding, which is never fun in your place of work.
DO: Be honest about your service
We genuinely want you to have a good time, so if you aren't having the experience you want to, speak up about it. Just as there are bad guests, there are bad servers, so if a server is rude to you are gives you a terrible meal, be a snitch.
DON'T: Leave your used napkins and outside trash at the table.
Restaurant workers do have to pick up after you when you leave, and when you leave napkins that you've sneezed into directly on the table, workers have to pick those up. Be courteous and mindful, especially when considering the health of the people who are serving you.
DO: Tip well in accordance with good service
In many states, restaurant workers have extremely low per hour wages, which means they survive off of tips. If a server gives you good service, show that through a nice tip! A good tip will make a server's day, if not week, because it shows just how appreciated their hard work was.