what makes a good or bad server?

OhKelsey1

You know what annoys me as a restaurant employee? People who let their kids run RAMPANT. Coloring all over the table, crumbs everywhere, silverware thrown around, food and napkins all over the floor--it looks like a tiny tornado hit. I get that kids can be messy, but sometimes I think parents don't even CARE that their children are inconveniencing other people.

I think annoying things that customers do is a much more interesting topic, to be honest!

this^^^^ Or how about oneing you to death... they can't ask for everything they need at once , they see you busy yet every time you bring them something they decide they need something else to go with it... Or how about the cheap old ladies who want hot water only and they bring in their own tea bags!!!

Down here it's ice water, Splenda and a lemon! And you know what gets me as a host? When you walk a group to their table, and they look at EACH OTHER and say, "Oh, is this okay?" Like there's not a reason I walked you to this particular table. Oh, sure, just sit anywhere.

You know what? I've done that before and it's because you are leading me to a section that is full of screaming babies. I'm sorry but I do jot want to sit any where near that. You, as the hostess,, can clearly see no one in my party has children so why on earth do you think we would want to sit near them?

Or, you took me to a booth and me and my fat eating partner aren't sure we can fit our fatness into it.

I was not your hostess. But there is a system in place for a reason--servers come in at different times, some sections are empty, there's a rotation, etc. YOUR host was just doing her job, and I sympathize with her.

As for people being too big to fit at a booth, that's a really horrifying experience for ALL PARTIES involved. I try to avoid it as often as possible.

martymays

Keep my glass filled. That's about all I ask.

dee74

Down here it's ice water, Splenda and a lemon! And you know what gets me as a host? When you walk a group to their table, and they look at EACH OTHER and say, "Oh, is this okay?" Like there's not a reason I walked you to this particular table. Oh, sure, just sit anywhere.

Well I must admit that although I worked in the restaurant business as a chef for over a decade in my younger years and completely understand why the seating is rotated in a certain order in some places, if they try to give me a seat where I do not want to sit I just take the opportunity to sit somewhere else. I usually eat at nicer places so I will be particular about my seat. As far as a good server my expectations are not that high. Just check back in a timely manner, I like to always have a drink in front of me, know the menu in case I have a question, and do not try to rush me.. Any server that does that gets about 25% or more tip from me. The quickest way to not getting a tip, which I have only done twice, is to ignore me completely or stop by every five mnutes to share some hard luck story about your personal life or your significant other leaving you (yes this happened).

sgv0918

You know what annoys me as a restaurant employee? People who let their kids run RAMPANT. Coloring all over the table, crumbs everywhere, silverware thrown around, food and napkins all over the floor--it looks like a tiny tornado hit. I get that kids can be messy, but sometimes I think parents don't even CARE that their children are inconveniencing other people.

I think annoying things that customers do is a much more interesting topic, to be honest!

this

Bakkasan

I must be a total geek. I actually thought this thread was going to be about computer hardware.

Same here bud. I am disappoint.

Laces_0ut

I must be a total geek. I actually thought this thread was going to be about computer hardware.

ha..my first thought, even though i knew what this was really about, was low population is the worst thing you can have for a server. and the best servers are PVP.

amylovescupcakes

I have never considered any of my experiences as poor service. I always tip 20%. I never assume that someone is just being a jerk and slacking off at their job. I'd rather assume first that they probably are just really busy, and that everyone makes mistakes. I think it's kind of rude to expect a server to be a mind reader and know all of your personal preferences when you come in to eat.

I completely agree! My poor Mom was a server just because she was bored, and on Christmas she had to work...(a woman who rocked a 4cttw diamond on her hand and drove a 2012 Camaro, and NEVER had to work in her life.) Anyways she was busy, and some random dude behind me called her slow. I almost caught a felony. I mean how dare him...she was just busy.

rabbit__food

I'm not that hard to please. I do however, hate when they don't talk loud enough. Oh, and not giving me a refill in a timely fashion. That's it.

McBully4

Last night we went out and our server was terrible he would pop up ask a question and have his back to us walking away before I could even reply.

He asked us if we wanted desert a good 5 minuets after we got our meal too .

Crochetluvr

I like the ones that think they have such a great memory they don't have to write your order down....and then they invariably forget something you ordered. :grumble:

As for napkins, the b/f asks for extra every time we are out for a meal. If the server forgets, he gets up and gets his own....plus a few extra to take home.

Me? I just like someone who is friendly. I used to work in retail and even if I was having a lousy day I always had a smile for the customer. Its seems I only get friendly servers 50% of the time.

McBully4

I must be a total geek. I actually thought this thread was going to be about computer hardware.

ha..my first thought, even though i knew what this was really about, was low population is the worst thing you can have for a server. and the best servers are PVP.

This is actually what I thought too

cmriverside

I was a server for 15 years.

I don't go back if they aren't friendly, but professional.

Try paying your bills without customers.

But, I know I'm in the minority.

ScottFree_66

You know what annoys me as a restaurant employee? People who let their kids run RAMPANT. Coloring all over the table, crumbs everywhere, silverware thrown around, food and napkins all over the floor--it looks like a tiny tornado hit. I get that kids can be messy, but sometimes I think parents don't even CARE that their children are inconveniencing other people.

I think annoying things that customers do is a much more interesting topic, to be honest!

this^^^^ Or how about oneing you to death... they can't ask for everything they need at once , they see you busy yet every time you bring them something they decide they need something else to go with it... Or how about the cheap old ladies who want hot water only and they bring in their own tea bags!!!

Down here it's ice water, Splenda and a lemon! And you know what gets me as a host? When you walk a group to their table, and they look at EACH OTHER and say, "Oh, is this okay?" Like there's not a reason I walked you to this particular table. Oh, sure, just sit anywhere.

You know what? I've done that before and it's because you are leading me to a section that is full of screaming babies. I'm sorry but I do jot want to sit any where near that. You, as the hostess,, can clearly see no one in my party has children so why on earth do you think we would want to sit near them?

Or, you took me to a booth and me and my fat eating partner aren't sure we can fit our fatness into it.

I was not your hostess. But there is a system in place for a reason--servers come in at different times, some sections are empty, there's a rotation, etc. YOUR host was just doing her job, and I sympathize with her.

As for people being too big to fit at a booth, that's a really horrifying experience for ALL PARTIES involved. I try to avoid it as often as possible.

I absolutely hate booths... I prefer sitting at the grown ups table, with chairs. Most places will ask if you have a preference, if they don't I will politely ask for a table (unless the place is packed and i know this is the only option available).
It is not my concern if the wait staff has a rotation and Becky has more tables than Susie. At certain places, I even have favorite waitresses and I will TELL the hostess so seat my in their section.

I worked in food service for 15 years from high school till late 20's. One of my favorite movies is "Waiting"...

ohmyshysamantha

I must be a total geek. I actually thought this thread was going to be about computer hardware.

lol ^^^^ this

mbajrami

I always find it more common that customers are d-bags, not servers...and I have never been a server. I tip minimum 20% unless the server is OBVIOUSLY just an *kitten*. Otherwise, I start at 20% and it goes up from there.

Some people will also try to nit-pick to drop a tip amount or not tip...or even get free food. These people should be shot.

BeetleChe13

I hated serving. Customers could either make or break my day. My biggest pet peeves as a customer are not filling up my glass when it's been empty and taking -forever- to drop the check, which doesn't even make sense. Why wouldn't want to fill my seat with a new table or even go home sooner?

TheFitHooker

I work as a server for applebee's and we are not suppose to bring napkins unless asked for them, I however always bring out napkins while bringing the food out. If another server delivers my food I always come back by with napkins. But that could be why some do not bring napkins, because they aren't suppose to unless asked for. I just always put in my job what I want from my servers when I go out to eat. I also try to keep drinks filled, when a drink gets to the half way point I bring new drinks. However as a server one thing that hacks me off is when someone sips their drink down in 2 seconds flat each time I fill it up and I keep bringing them drinks and yet I get a $1.00 tip from them. That happened tonight and since at the time they were my only table, they had my undivided attention. I even went as far as letting them know about our kids eat free night even though it's plastered all over the place and the lady didn't know.

One thing when I'm out eating, I will watch my server because as a server I know we have bad days and I know what should be done. If I can read that the server is having a bad day I'll cut her some slack, I also know we only make $2.13 an hour. However, I can easily read when you a server is lazy and isn't giving it her/his all. Even on my bad days I try to put my heart into it and smile. We have a lot to do other then just serving tables so I don't have time to stand around and talk. Some wait till they are about to be cut to do their duties, but I like to keep up on mine. There is always something to be done. Plus I can't keep still.

xiofett

I must be a total geek. I actually thought this thread was going to be about computer hardware.

Heh. Same here. I was going to say Windows makes it a bad server.

TheFitHooker

I hated serving. Customers could either make or break my day. My biggest pet peeves as a customer are not filling up my glass when it's been empty and taking -forever- to drop the check, which doesn't even make sense. Why wouldn't want to fill my seat with a new table or even go home sooner?

I personally try and do as much as I can while running between tables. If I have 4 tables at the same time, I might be refilling a drink, getting a to go box, dropping dishes off in the back while prebusting tables, running food for someone because where I work if we hear "Runner" and we aren't actually taking an order or putting an order into the computer, we have to get back there and run the food because we want the food fresh when the table gets it. There are many reasons why the check may not be delivered ASAP. Lately I've printed the check out after the order has been placed in and if they decide they want something else I'll add to it and reprint it. I still may not drop it off asap because I don't do that till the person is almost done with their food.

TheFitHooker

I always find it more common that customers are d-bags, not servers...and I have never been a server. I tip minimum 20% unless the server is OBVIOUSLY just an *kitten*. Otherwise, I start at 20% and it goes up from there.

Some people will also try to nit-pick to drop a tip amount or not tip...or even get free food. These people should be shot.

OH I wish more people like you would come sit in my section LOL...

ihateroses

I just hate that servers work for tips (in the states). It puts too much pressure on what should be a pleasant dining experience.

Here in South Korea they have a genius system of actually paying their servers so prices on the menu actually reflect what you will be paying for the meal!!! (crazy right?)

And (this blew my mind the first time) there are bell buttons at every table so when you are ready to order or need something, you press the button and whatever server that is available attends to you.

No one ever hounds you or asks you how your meal is.