by Bri Kennedy

Created on: March 03, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Maximize your tips in a few simple steps! Having spent a fair amount of time waiting table, here are a few simple rules of thumb to ensure that your 8-10 hours on your feet are not wasted.

BE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHERE YOU WORK

The best way to guarantee better earnings is to choose your employer carefully. In most major cities, there are literally thousands of restaurants, bars, pubs, coffee shops, bakeries, and other establishments that hire tipped servers. You can go to work for any one of them, so choose wisely.

Since tipping is (or should be) based on the amount of the bill, obviously choosing a restaurant with higher priced entrees will help you maximize earnings. Also, try to find a place that serves alcohol. First of all, beer and wine really increase the check tremendously. Also, with a few drinks in them, your customers are more apt to tip better. You don't necessarily have to work in the fanciest restaurant in town to make $200+ a night. You just have to work somewhere where your checks average $60+ per table, and alcohol will boost your bottom line.

MAKE YOUR CUSTOMERS COMFORTABLE WITH YOU...BUT NOT TOO COMFORTABLE

The only thing worse than an unfriendly server is a server who is "too friendly." A good server should engage his or her tables in friendly conversation to put them at ease and establish a rapport. Customers will remember your personality and be less likely to "stiff" someone they like when it comes to tipping. It is very easy to take this too far, though. Remember, while your guests don't want to dine in a mausoleum, they also didn't come to your restaurant/club/bar to hang out with you. They came to enjoy dinner with a date, a friend, a coworker, or by themselves. Therefore, too much chatter, or checking back with your tables 100 times because you have nothing better to do will NOT increase your tips. It may even lower them. I emphasize this because it is a mistake I see servers make almost every time I dine out. Your server is never available when you need a refill, for example, but she's available 1000 times a second when you're trying to discuss something important with your dinner guest. Don't let this happen to you.

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR PERSONAL APPEARANCE

You don't have to be model material to wait tables, but paying a little attention to how you look will go a long way. Making sure your hair is nicely styled, your clothes and shoes are up to date and in good repair, your attire is clean, you are wearing a little makeup (women only) will all

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