just started a new waitressing job... what are some ways to make sure i get some big tips?
Asked by Terrica L
please no sexual remarks... its a small town resteraunt not hooters

Best Answer:
be attentive but don't hover,be friendly but don't be chatty. never refill a coffee drinkers cup without them knowing, black coffee drinkers burn their mouths and the others like a certain amount of cream sugar etc. refill soft drinks anytime you can. Look at the plate the cook sends out and do your own quick inventory, the customer will give you a smaller tip for the cooks mistakes. If the condiments are not on the table, bring them according to what they order before the food arrives, and if someone orders milk don't forget it. Milk seems to be the most forgotten item for some silly reason If a mistake gets by you apologize and offer to take it right back and follow through so the wait isn't as long for the correction. keep you hair in check it freaks some people out to see it hanging over their food. I agree with the above person, if they have kids bring any toys crayons etc. you have to the table and don't just give little ones thier drinks. Paper cups and lids are good even if the item is not to go. Don't make the cook mad. They can ruin your tips and they know it. Take your sense of humor with you, you are going to need it. good luck.
small town waitressing
Answered by happygirl

smile and look them straight in the eye when you speak. be courteous and cute. WINK.
Answered by Anna

Be friendly, polite and attentive.
Answered by Jo.1981

Do things right...dont bug them all the time...bring refills withouth having them ask for them. Extra napkins...smiling!!!
Answered by smiliechicka22

be very polite, costumers love that. also come around to their table a lot. refill drinks as often as needed.
Answered by oH sO gAnGsTa XoX

Easy be good and nice...
Answered by Scout

Normally just checking back with your eating customers to make sure they have everything they may need for a satisfying meal. Also, since you do say it's a small town, you probably have lots of regular customers. I would get to know them a little bit more and remember their likes/dislikes of condiments/food items. Keep that happy face! Have fun!
Answered by bobe

just anticipate what they might need... before they have to ask... be attentive I hate bad customer service. It is sooo bad where i am from.. that wehn you get a good waitress, you tell everyone you know how good he/she was!
Answered by Spring

I'm a server Trainer for TGIF. Their are multiple ways to increase tip. 1) suggestive selling, if you guys have liquor push it like it was gold. As well as appetizers, desserts. Use alot of suggestive adjetives ie. "Its incredible, melt in your mouth" so on and so forth. 2) of course is attention to details. Pay attention to the types of customers are they in a hurry, alone, bored, want to be left alone. Adapt to these circumstances. Their are more but these are always some of the best way to increase tips.
Answered by Jason K

keep in mind they pay your wage and try and treat them like family or not
Answered by mitch

Write EVERYTHING down so you dont forget, also rmemeber names and faces.... once you make 'regulars' they will tip you better. and rememeber to SMILE! SMILE! SMILE!
Answered by Bella Latina

Find a delicate balance between ignoring the customer and hovering at the table... both are annoying. Be sure to give people (when there's more than one at the table) the right plate. Keep the drinks refilled but not every time someone takes a sip. Good luck!!!
Answered by odandme

Fast service, checking back to see if they need anything but not too often, water and coffee refills, don't rush them through their meal, remember who ordered what and always smile...
Answered by thisisme

i give big tips when the waitress is really nice .. Smile !! and even if u have a bad day try to put it aside , costumers can tell that . dont ask to much is everything is ok like every 3 minutes though .. =D
Answered by ems7584

Smile; be polite; but don't fake it. When people sit down for dinner they want a normal person that actually cares whether or not they have an enjoyable time. Sometimes the key is to NOT be noticed. Most people only remember the bad things that you do; or the mistakes you make. If you keep it normal and even keeled; when it comes time for tip; they will remember you as a good server; not the girl who spilled water all over the table or whatever.
Answered by craigb421

Small town or not, flirting gets you tips. Men usually pay the bill, and men like to be flirted with, especially visually. Beyond that, be fast, be accurate, make the customer feel like they are important, and remember you never win an argument with a customer.
Answered by Fred S - AM Cappo Di Tutti Capi

Smile. Ask them if there is anything else you can help them with. Smile. Don't bring them hot food until they're done with their salad. Smile. Ask them if they'd like the dessert menu -- don't think that they can order at the beginning of the meal. Some do, some don't. Smile. Don't give them the check until you're sure they are finished with their meal. Smile
Answered by Elevating Your Business

I am a waitress as well, and trust me there are some people who you just can't please. But my philosophy is just to listen what the customers want. If they want it this way or that, listen to the details, and try to give it to them. People are very picky eaters, and some have food allergies, so again listen to what they want and what they can eat and not eat. Hope this helps.
Answered by prima ballerina

Smile, be friendly and always tray to please but at same time do not appear to be "slavish"; a compliment for a nice ring or a nice watch or dress is good but only if you see people are friendly. Give them space enough from each course and always remember to fill up their glasses.
Answered by feetpython

Always smile, be very nice and friendly. Try to meet customers' needs before they have to ask, such as bring them a drink when you see it needs refilled, don't wait for them to ask. Don't check up on them too often, that can be annoying. Let them eat a few bites before asking if everything is ok. Don't let customers sit too long before asking them what they want to drink at least. That's about all I can think of, trying to remember from when I was a waitress in college. Don't be pushy about appetizers or dessert, customers find that annoying. Ask them if they want either, but don't try to talk them into it once they say no. Good Luck!
Answered by k~prez

Pay attention to your customers - most important. I cannot tell you how many times I have eaten in restaurants, and the servers do not stop by to refill drinks, do not ask us how everything is, and we cannot flag them down because they are nowhere to be seen. Also - and my friends have noticed this too - do not only look at the male if there is a couple ordering dinner. There are several times my fiance and I have had dinner, and the female server looks only at him (he's good-looking but come on, be professional here). I think sometimes female servers assume that the men are paying, but coincidentally I often pay (it all balances out) and I end up leaving them a small tip :o) Hey I'm eating there, too! Lastly, if a customer has a problem with their order, or something was screwed up in the kitchen - do not argue with the customer and say "But you said you wanted chicken" (I'm vegetarian and get this A LOT - NO, I did NOT want chicken!) and then say "Yes you did." I have been argued with several times, with the server trying to convince me that I requested something that I did not want. If it happens again, I'm getting up and walking out of the restaurant. I am not a difficult customer, but I do frequently dine out and I suppose the more you dine out, the more experience you have - good or bad. Okay that's my advice :o)
Answered by Camarogirl67

Learn to read people. Some people want you to be seen not heard. Some want you to cut up with them. Keep their drinks full. Clear dirty dishes. Ck back shortly after eating to see food is prepared rt & to thier liking. Go the extra mile to give good service.
Answered by Dani J

Pay them a lot of attention and SMILE.
Answered by Mikey

Be friendly, make the guests feel at home, and even at the end of your shift, don't let them see that you're tired. Never make them feel rushed, come around to see if they have everything they need. Never assume they're done, always ask if there is anything else they'd like to order, before you give them the bill. Don't forget them when it's time to pay because they want to leave. And always say thank you when you give them their bill. Show returning customers that you remember them by giving smile.
Answered by Michelle C

Learn how to read people to know what they want. Don't forget about them. Pay attention. Smile. Listen well. If you make a mistake, acknowledge and apologize. Don't make excuses. Make people feel welcome.
Answered by Sahara

better service make there stay at the resteraunt injoyable.If you are asigned to that table walk over now and again and ask if there is anything they need.hopefully they will like your service and tip you will.Good luck and injoy your job.
Answered by the answerman

Good service anticipate clients needs example when i had small kids waiter would place a cup with no lid right in front of my child and with in seconds the child woul spill the drink then we would need napkins and towels to clean up this would happen almost every time we stopped dinning out for awhile lesson when bringing drinks for kids 1. always have lids on drinks 2. place the drink with the parent and let the parent give the drink to the child 3.bring extra napkins and towels up front to anticipate a accident these kinds of consideration will make the dinning more enjoyable and will lead to greater appreciation this is just 1 example the best waiters are almost invisible meaning they provide good service with out the client having to call the waiter over to the table be friendly but not invasive
Answered by mmmkay_us

If something comes out of the kitchen cold, or wrong, send it back before the customer does! If the kitchen screws up, there goes your tip. It's better to explain the mistake to the customer and apologize for their wait.
Answered by KungFoolio

Small town allows the opportunity to get to know your guests on a personal level. Get to know regular guests likes and dislikes, if they want something particular every time they come in, bring it to them as you go to greet the table (always starts with coffee, bring the pot to the table and pour it without asking as you say hi) Always greet the table and introduce yourself if they don't already know your name. Chat the table up, but if you get the feeling they want to talk uninterrupted, just check on them periodically. You can talk to your guests in a more casual way in small town restaurant, "Hey, your Christmas lights look great this year!" Always wear your hair back, even if short and off the shoulders, wear barrettes or something that makes you look clean and neat. Keep your fingernails short and clean, or if polished, no chips and nails not too long. Don't wear too much perfume or make-up, and always wear socks or pantyhose. If you wear a skirt, not too short so people can see your bootie when you bend over, because you will be bending over a lot. Pants, not too tight, loose enough to work in and make sure you have pockets, even if you have an apron, can never have enough pockets! Keep earrings small, dangly is OK, if not too big or long. Smile even as they make the most outrageous request, do your best to be polite and humble if you have to tell someone "no" for something (no substitutions, out of roast beef, etc) In a small town where guests are regulars, they might try to pick on or test the new waitress, always have an air of confidence and authority about you without being snotty or unwilling to serve. Good luck waitressing in a small town can be very profitable if you make friends with your guests and never show anger, even if you have the right to be angry. Always keep you cool and speak softly so people have to pay attention to you when you talk, yet loud enough to be herd without some one asking you to speak up. I've been waitress all of my adult life, 18yrs, so take it from me! Write everything down, take drink orders first, salad and soup go out as you place the entree order so you don't havta dump hot food on their table as they still eat their salad. Always ask "may I..take your plate ....get you some more coffee etc, avoid "can I". May the tips flow endlessly your way!! : )
Answered by Chelle Mary

show some skin and flirt like hell with every guy that is single. The older or nerdier the more you should flirt . more money that way
Answered by ryan e

Introduce yourself, be polite, be familiar with the menu items so you can answer any questions, write down the order correctly, let the people know if there's going to be a delay in getting their food, keep glasses filled and dirty dishes cleared, check back periodically to see if there's anything they need but not every 4 minutes. Good luck.
Answered by Judy