by Shawntae Devlugt

Created on: August 17, 2007

Here are 10 tips from a former server on how to get great service.

1. Even great servers only get paid 5 an hour at most. The average and minimum wage is around 2.14 per hour in New Jersey. If you take and hour and a half at lunch, the server get 4 bucks not including tip. That's between you and at least 2 other tables if it is not busy. Think about how much your meals are on average. Your server makes 2.14 per hour and the average lunch is at least 20 minutes not counting business meetings or special gatherings.

2. If you tip a server 15% great but think about if the sever works the lunch shift for example on a Tuesday for 6 hours the server will have to tip the busser who cleans the tables and anyone who helps them serve a table when they get too busy. Servers leave a lunch shift with 20-80 bucks if it is not busy. Remember if you dine there a lot the servers talk and remember what you gave them previously.

3. If you drink a lot during your meal please ask the server for a pitcher in advance especially if it is very crowded in the restaurant. Most places give servers how ever many tabled they say they can take and then more if the place is busy. The average server starts with 3 tables at a time and ends up with 9 on crowded nights depending on size of restaurant.

4. Try to get information on restaurants menu in advance if you have never dined there before. Servers are timed and get in trouble if they spend too much time at a tables waiting for a response from guest on their selections or trying to answering diet questions that they know nothing about .

5. Try to be sure in your selection. Placing an order and switching after the server took your order could potentially mess up the servers timing for the rest of the day.

6. Be courteous and try to understand that a server may be upset but not with you. That does not excuse there attitude but the table before you could be a very demanding and picky table causing the server to feel abuse especially if they believe they will not be tipped well.

7. If you are dining with children try to be mindful of the mess your child is making. If your angel spills something or rips something like paper the server has less than 5 minutes to turnover tables for the next guest after you are done dining. This makes that part very difficult and normally makes the server slack on table prep for the next guest causing a vicious cycle of unhappy servers. and guest.

8. Very Important: Please listen to server when they run on about specials even if you already know what you want. They have to tell you these specials because if they don't and management finds out they will lose there job.

9. Try not to use cell phones. Nothing is more irritating than a guest on the phone when you try to greet them or check to see if they want anything. If you wave your hand we assume you are ok and will not come back in two more minutes because we have other things to do.

10. If you are waiting for a guest to meet you order for the person in advance wait for them at the bar or in the waiting area. There is no need for you to hold up a server from using a table while we all wait for your friend who is likely 15 to 30 minutes late and wants a steak well-done.

If you follow these tips I promise servers will love you.

Learn more about this author, Shawntae Devlugt.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.