Tips for a new server...?!
Answers: I am about to start my first serving job and was wondering if any servers have any advice on starting out....?
Learn the menu as well as you can - this includes substitutions...
If you are gonna be serving liquor, this is what I did - I went through the whole computer and wrote down every type of beer (bottles & tap) and learned every liquor we had by category (like vodka - grey goose, absolute, etc) and I can tell you that was probably the most helpful thing I did...
mixed drinks are hard to learn and I went through all those too, and then you have to learn what garnish the drinks get: like cherries, lemon, nuts, etc...
other tips...while you are working you have to constantly think in your head about what is the most important thing you need to do at the time...who needs what immediately...or helping two or more tables at the same time - load up your tray...
prepare yourself everyday as much as you can...I always brought $20 of my own money and got $10 in ones and $10 in fives so I had my change ready...
learn about the computer system and how to use it faster and faster...
strange things will happen to you as you get better...after serving a table of twelve, I could tell you next day what each of them ate...your memory will get better and you don't have to write so much stuff down...
any specific questions, e-mail me through my profile page...waitressed for 5 years and was damn good at it...never had a night under 15% in tips...
some people you just can not please, no matter what you do...they are just jerks, but you just have to let it not bother you...there are plenty of nice people to make up for the jerks...serving is one of the funnest jobs I have ever had...you'll make some good friends...
agree with what ever they say, don't argue, and remember, people can be rude, but don't be intimidated, your a person,your customers a person, you guys are equals, you'll have a whole new respect for servers now tho
Yea honestly i hated it at first, but once you get to know everyone you work with you will all become friends, then going to work is fun...if a customer is rude, which theywill be just shruge it off, don't ever let them see you upset...and don't get overwhemled do one thing at a time..like say if you get triple sat..don't panic, go to the first table that sat get there drink order, app. whatever, then just stop by the other sat tables, introduce yourself and say Ill be right with you guys, no big deal, it becomes so routine after awhile you wont even stress...well good luck, and don't get too close to the dish pit eww lol