Working as a waitress or waiter can be a whirlwind activity, whether you are experienced or not. When you are not busy in the middle of a shift, take the time to read this article and reflect on best practices. Your customers' smiles, employer satisfaction, and tips will increase dramatically if you commit to improving your service.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Working Efficiently and Effectively
Step 1. Always be presentable
If you wear a uniform, make sure you keep it in excellent condition, ironed, clean and spotless. If uniform is not required, wear well-kept, somewhat formal clothing. This gives customers a better first impression and will help keep your boss happy. Check your appearance periodically to see if you are disheveled or if you have spilled something on yourself without realizing it.
- Keep your nails clean and well-groomed.
- Wear nice shoes, not tennis shoes, and keep them tightly laced. Never wear sandals.
- Refrain from using perfume; some customers may be allergic to it. Likewise, try not to smoke before work or during your break, so as not to give off an unpleasant odor.
- Wear discreet jewelry and makeup.
Step 2. Learn the menu thoroughly
Being familiar with each item on the menu will save you a lot of time and effort when taking orders. If necessary, to avoid errors and slowdowns of orders, study it during your free time.
- Familiarize yourself with every possible option in relation to any order. If a customer wants a sandwich, you should know what type of bread is available, how they are filled, and how to answer these questions clearly.
- Know which dishes contain meat, dairy, and common allergens, such as peanuts. Be prepared to suggest similar alternatives to those people who cannot eat such ingredients.
- Familiarize yourself with the daily specials before each shift.
Step 3. Suggest further purchases
Ask politely if the customer would like a drink, a side dish, or a change to their order. Your employer will be delighted with this initiative and tips will increase as people are encouraged to buy.
- You need to know which liquors are expensive and quality. Suggest their use when a customer asks for a drink.
- Always ask diners if they would like an appetizer.
- Never be pushy or fake. Kindly present the option to the customer and don't try to pass off an add-on as if it were free.
Step 4. Do multiple things at the same time
Getting around will be much easier if you can do three things in one trip to and from the kitchen. Take the empty plates from the tables every time you go to the kitchen. Fill a tray when several tables want condiments, drinks, or similar items, instead of bringing them individually.
Unless you have a lot of experience that you can safely remember everything, write down orders immediately and add notes if you need to remember to do something within five or 10 minutes
Step 5. Manage your time well
Track how long you haven't controlled a table and become familiar with how much cooking time each dish takes. Get in a position to visit customers after they finish each course. Move vigorously without running and try to keep a steady pace to keep everything running smoothly.
Tell the customer what you know about waiting times. If someone orders a well done steak, let them know how long it will take. If the soup has just finished and the cook needs to make another one, let the customer know it will take time and suggest an alternative
Step 6. Check the food before bringing it to the customer
Especially when there are special requests, it is possible to avoid everyone a headache by making sure that the order is correct before bringing it to the table.
If an order was wrong, let the kitchen and customers know. Apologize for the extra delay and, if your restaurant allows it, try to offer a discounted meal or gift to compensate
Step 7. Anticipate the most common requests
Usually, customers who get burgers also want ketchup. Children frequently drop cutlery. Once you have learned about the most recurring requests based on meals and customers, be ready to bring them to the table in advance. It will save you time and your customers will feel important.
You can keep some extra cutlery, or packs of condiments and extra napkins in your apron pocket, if you're wearing one
Step 8. Don't let a poor tip ruin your job
Never complain to a customer if they don't give you a good tip, no matter how perfect your service is. Not only could it cost you firing, but you would be perceived as a person who complains all the time and create bad relationships with other staff.
Some people never give an adequate tip regardless of the service. They may not be able to afford it or they may come from a country where tipping is not a common practice
Step 9. Always keep yourself active and engaged
If you don't have customers to take care of, clean up! There is always work to be done in a restaurant. Show your employer that you are capable of taking the initiative and work hard.
If your customers don't need anything, follow others too. Some may call a waitress for a small request that you could fulfill yourself without intruding on the work of colleagues who are already following them
Part 2 of 4: Dealing with Specific Situations
Step 1. Pay attention to parents when there are children ordering
A child may order unhealthy food or caffeinated drinks or something that parents may disapprove of. Give them the opportunity to respond before confirming the order.
- If the parents are not careful, repeat the order out loud and clearly, addressing the whole table. This gives them another opportunity to intervene.
- In front of young children, after the parent's ban, you need to be able to smooth out any arguments, saying, "I'm sorry, but we're out of all the sodas. Can I get you anything else?"
- If you personally disapprove of someone's choice, don't say anything. It is up to the parents to decide, as long as the ordination does not clearly violate the law, such as giving alcohol to children.
Step 2. Do not put dangerous objects near children
If you are serving hot dishes, handing out metal tools, or placing some other dangerous utensil on the table, do so near the parents and specify "Here, sir / lady" if you want to get their attention.
Step 3. Make the meal experience as fast as possible for parents with children
Babies and young children typically have a very low attention span and, if the meal is prolonged, the parents and the entire restaurant could suffer. Check their table more frequently and make yourself available to do multiple things at once to speed up this process.
- Ask if you can take drink and course orders at the same time instead of making two visits.
- Suggest a faster alternative if one of the customers asks for a dish that takes a long time to prepare.
- This is one of the rare situations in which you should carry the bill when you approach to clean up the last dishes. You should still ask first if customers have finished.
- Don't make customers feel like you're trying to kick them out. Many tired, busy parents will appreciate your prompt service, but if you seem to be bothering them, back off and let them continue their meal as fast as they like.
Step 4. Remain neutral in discussions of who has to pay
If there are multiple customers at a table asking you to pay, put the bill in the center of the table rather than next to one of them. Simply smile and explain that you will come back to collect it in case they want to get you into their discussion.
Step 5. Try to learn how to serve tea and coffee
People are very fussy about this type of drink and it is especially helpful to know how to serve them in order to please everyone. Skip this advice when preparing them for regulars if you know their habits, which you should always pay attention to.
- Tea lovers are often picky about its preparation. Always make sure you know which tea variety they order and have enough milk, lemon slices and sugar on hand so they can customize their drink.
- Do not fill your cup with tea or coffee without asking the customer first, as you may modify their carefully prepared drink.
- Do not put the spoon in the tea or coffee before bringing it to the customer. Turn down the temperature of the drink and some customers may not like it.
Step 6. Ask patrons if they like water when ordering caffeine or alcohol
It is more important to the eater than to the people at the bar. Many like to drink water to counteract the effects of these substances.
You may not have to follow this rule in countries outside the United States, where it is less common to serve water or the service is not free
Step 7. Never put an object back on the board that has fallen to the ground
Even if it's just a flyer or salt shaker, you should replace it with a clean one. Your customers certainly don't want to collect germs from the floor!
Step 8. Practice more complex tasks in your spare time
It often involves opening a bottle of wine. You can practice when you serve yourself dinner, so you can learn them faster.
If a waiter has to open the bottle of wine, he is expected to do so at the table, in front of the customer who ordered it. Practice this so that it happens naturally
Step 9. Choose appropriate music and vary your selection
If you decide, keep the volume relatively low and choose something that is appropriate for the mood. Never put an entire album; make a mix, so that even the client who doesn't love that particular artist has the opportunity to hear something they like.
- Coffee patrons or those who like to eat in the morning or early afternoon usually enjoy quiet, unobtrusive music. Classical music is a good choice.
- During dinner, patrons may enjoy more energetic music, but this varies widely depending on the atmosphere of the venue. They usually like a subdued volume so they can talk to their friends. Either way, the wait staff rarely make musical decisions for the busiest or more formal parts of the day.
Part 3 of 4: Interacting with Customers to Get Better Tips
Step 1. Introduce yourself
Once customers are seated, get ready with a wave of your eyes and go introduce yourself. This allows you to start the conversation the right way, which usually leads to better tipping and also gives them a discreet way to get your attention later.
As you introduce yourself, take the opportunity to list the menu and check that each customer has enough cutlery and napkins
Step 2. Continue to be polite, friendly, and helpful even with angry customers
When addressing customers, always use respectful terms such as "Madam", "Miss" and "Sir". Behave in a friendly and positive manner so that customers always feel comfortable.
- Ask if they've been to your restaurant before - that way, if they're new, you can welcome them and help them with the menu.
- Try to appear friendly, but don't get involved in the customer's conversation unless specifically asked. Do your job, then let the customer eat or talk confidentially.
- Always remember to smile. No matter how annoying customers or colleagues may be, keep smiling and swallowing every possible toad; will allow you to avoid difficult situations!
- Don't talk or gossip about customers, even when you think they can't hear you. Always be kind and respectful towards them.
Step 3. Respect the client's personal space
Never sit at a table to take an order. Don't shake hands or hug the customer unless you're a close friend or restaurant practice. The other physical interactions depend on the atmosphere of the place where you work and whether you are a man or a woman.
Research on American restaurants shows that waitresses who lightly tap a customer on the shoulder, hand, or arm receive higher tips on average. This should only be done when the client is relaxed and comfortable and never when he is on a date with a woman. Try to be friendly rather than seductive
Step 4. Personally advise the customer on what they order
If he asks you for an opinion, be prepared to answer his questions or recommend your favorite dish in each category. If you order something that gets a lot of complaints, try recommending another option.
Customers love to be offered the "latest news", but you shouldn't go to the point of completely belittling a dish unless you're working in a very casual setting. Instead, try to sidetrack them from a bad dish by recommending a similar one, introducing it as a "chef's specialty" or "my favorite"
Step 5. Try to accommodate any reasonable requests
Many people have serious reasons for avoiding certain ingredients, including potential fatal allergies. If you are not familiar with all the dishes on the menu (which you should have), do your best to find out how they are prepared.
- Never lie to a customer by giving them an ingredient they requested removed. If you can't fulfill his request, simply tell him and suggest an alternative that he can eat without problems.
- Don't question the customer's request. Please note that there are several reasons to ask for a menu change - religious, vegetarian / vegan and cultural restrictions. If it can be satisfied, do not ask why the request!
Step 6. Repeat the order to the customer
From studies carried out in the U. S. A. it turns out that the waiter who repeats the order to the customer receives a higher tip. Regardless of the effect it may have, it also gives the customer the opportunity to correct any errors or change their mind.
Step 7. Visit and update customers often
If you don't already have a job as a waitress, know that it can take some time to learn how often to turn to a table. Check at least at the end of each course or when they seem angry or irritated while waiting for food.
- Give them an estimate of the waiting time if they ask you how long it will take to eat, at least when you can.
- Stop to refill the glasses when they are empty or ask if they would like to drink something else.
Step 8. Promptly remove the plate when a customer has finished eating, but always asking if you can
If he left a lot of food, ask if everything was okay.
Many restaurants allow waiters to offer the customer an extra when something goes wrong. This could save you the tip
Step 9. Be friendly to regular customers, even those you wouldn't usually talk to
When someone sits in your section more than once, take the time to get to know them. You don't have to become friends, but chances are that some will be nicer to you than others.
- Remember their names and their favorite drinks, where they work, etc. Make them feel like they are going to a restaurant to visit their friend: you!
- Try to take note of the appearance and preferences of everyone who shows up more than once. The customer will be impressed if, on his third visit, you know how he prefers his steak.
Step 10. Don't assume the customer wants the bill, but don't let them wait either
Ask him if there is anything else you can do for him and propose a dessert, a bag with leftovers to take home, or the bill.
- If he says he wants nothing more, then ask him if he is ready for the bill.
- If he has to ask you, it usually means that he is in a hurry or that you have waited too long to come back from that table.
- Never ask the customer if he wants the change. Tell him "I'll be right back with the rest," then go back and leave it all on the table.
Part 4 of 4: Learning the New Job
Step 1. Learn the menu in advance
When in the interview, be proactive and ask for a menu to take home. Study it on your own to familiarize yourself with the food available. Restaurant chains offer good training courses to introduce you to the menu and cuisine; smaller bars and clubs, on the other hand, expect you to take personal initiative.
Step 2. Get to work on time
Punctuality is important for any assignment, especially if you're just starting out. The work rate in restaurants is very high, especially during peak hours, but you will look good if you are still ready on time or maybe even a little early.
Step 3. Pay particular attention to more experienced employees
Even if you already have some previous experience, you should pay attention to the details of your new job. Each restaurant handles situations slightly differently, and by applying yourself to the learning, you will be able to get your work done smoothly. It doesn't hurt to respect colleagues and the boss either, of course, rather than belittling them with statements like "I already know that!".
Step 4. Keep up
If you've never worked in a busy restaurant before, you'll be surprised at how fast and nerve-wracking the pace of work is. Try your best to keep up with the other staff. Once you are better adapted to the job, you will be able to do it better. At first, however, you may have to put in a little more effort.
Step 5. Do unpleasant tasks without complaining
You will start at the base of the pyramid, but complaining will not improve your position. Clean the tables and work during awkward hours if asked and remember that you will have more chances when you integrate and stabilize your position.
Step 6. Take the criticism with confidence
Serving at tables can make you feel watery, especially when some coworkers personally blame you if a customer complains (and consequently gives bad tips). You will certainly receive less criticism once you learn how to manage yourself: try to smile and not be influenced.
This is definitely not true for every restaurant. Don't be frightened by the idea of applying for a job as a waitress before you have assessed the atmosphere of the room
Step 7. Apply for extra work
Especially in the beginning, you need to make sure that your employer and your colleagues know that you are available. If you know you can fill an additional role, offer to replace colleagues when needed so you can stand out with your new boss.
Step 8. Ask questions when you don't know how to do something
Show interest in learning specific or practical restaurant skills. If you are afraid of making a mistake, ask! People know you are new and you should be able to find at least one person who appreciates you asking questions.
This doesn't mean you need to ask obvious questions about your job. "What time do I finish?" or "Should I do this?" are among the phrases that usually irritate colleagues and employer
Advice
- Serve the starters hot, then the drinks and main course.
- Leave disappointments, discontent and personal problems behind while working.
Warnings
- Never count your tip money in front of the customer!
- Never abandon a customer to serve another. If the environment is casual and you have no other choice, at least apologize.
- Never brag about your tips in front of other staff members.
