Restaurant Etiquette

The Restaurant Business is a thankless job. Here are some ways you can make your server and host happy, and your service better.

I have worked in restaurants for years, from fast food to sit down there is one common theme, ungrateful customers. If you are one of those who feels entitled to service to the point that you feel you need to make your every whim and wish heard, this is for you.

1) Upon entering a restaurant you will be greeted by a Host/Hostess. These are very busy people, if the do not look at you the second you walk in, just relax the will get to you. While you see a person ignoring you, they are probably going over seating charts and available tables. This is to ensure that you are sat in a timely manner.

2) Do Not request a specific area unless you absolutely have to. Most restaurants seat based on the concept of rotation. This way customers are spaced out between available servers. The rotation ensures the best service by not putting too much stress on a specific server at one time. If you ask for a special table because of health reasons, that is perfectly permissible. Anytime you ask for a special seat be prepared to have a slightly longer wait for the first couple of rounds the server makes to your table.

3) While waiting in the lobby do not smoke and keep your kids in check. Most lobbies are smoke free areas and it is not only rude to the other customers but to the host as well. After all that is their environment that they must keep clean and trouble free. Children wildly running everywhere can disturb the comfort of the lobby as well.

4)Once you are seated it may take a few minutes for the server to get to you, especially on a busy day. Servers have duties in the kitchen as well as on the floor to attend to. Once you are approached the server will ask you for you drinks. At this time you are now within her time and space management. She will do her best to service you while you are a guest at her workplace.

5) Say please and thank you. Servers are not servants, they are hard working people just like you.

6) Try to keep your area neat. Sloppy eaters, please remember you are in another person's office. You would not go into a co workers office and leave catsup on their desk would you? If you do make a huge mess, make sure to leave extra tip for compensation of the extra work you are putting the server through

7) Be vocal with your needs, but not belligerent. If your server has not filled your drink in a timely manner say something. Be polite though. Remember they do handle your food...

8) If your food comes back and is not correctly cooked do not automatically blame the server. There are cooks in the back that sometimes mess up too. You do not tip the cooks, so their mistakes should not be reflected on how you tip the server. Also you are allowed to politely ask for a change. You do not have to speak down to the server like they are an idiot. Again remember, they do handle your food...

9) When you are done eating attempt to leave in a timely fashion or compensate your extended stay with a larger tip. Remember the more customers a waitress has the more they can receive in pay. If you are holding up the table you are cutting into the servers wages.

10) Tips! This subject has already come up a few times in the article but lets get to the nitty gritty of the situation. Most servers make 2-4 dollars an hour. Minimum wage for a server is different than that of an average worker. The government has allowed businesses to short change servers because they collect tips. Tips are no longer considered "optional based on service." Unless the service is so horrendous that you will never come back, you are obliged to leave at least a 10% tip. If your service is average you should leave a 15% tip, if service is excellent then you should leave a 20% tip. Yes this goes for large bills as well. The more food you eat, the more work the server did for you. If you do not tip you have not only been rude, but you may have less than enthusiastic service if you return to the same server on your next visit. This is not to be rude, but if they know their time is not well spent on you they will put their efforts elsewhere to make more money, wouldn't you? Remember to treat your servers with respect and dignity. Many are very intelligent people working their way through college, or have children to feed. You will be hard pressed to find people who work as hard as a server.