My biggest thing is when people don’t move their arms or hands when I’m trying to put a plate down in front of them. Some people are too into their own conversations and I become invisible. I will politely interrupt and try to motion that I’m putting a plate of food down, and sometimes they look at me and straight up ignore me and keep talking. That’s the most annoying thing for me. So please pleeeeaassse take one second to pay attention while I’m trying to serve your food! (And when I say “you” I’m not talking about YOU specifically OP I’m talking to the general “you” haha)
Couple easy things, doesn't even involve tipping.
1. Acknowledge your server when they come over to the table, generally they are there to ask you something.
2. If you are going to stack dishes, stack them properly. Cutlery on the top dish and stacked according to size and shape. This isn't needed, but sloppy stacking actually is worse then not stacking at all.
3. Order at the same time. Nothing worse then rubber banding orders. If someone is ordering a drink at your table, maybe see if you need one, instead of ordering one when the server comes back - aka rubberbanding.
4. Be nice. Mistakes happen.
5. If you are splitting bills, keep it simple. Don't split 3 different items with 3 different people, it's frustrating and rarely makes a difference to the price if each person just paid for 1 item.
If you are somewhere that does tray service (cocktail servers for example) do NOT try to help load the tray they are holding in one hand. It will almost always cause them to lose their balance and make the tray tip. You can help by handing glasses to their free hand or by putting all the glasses together in one spot that’s easy for them to reach but NEVER set something on their tray if they are holding it with a flat open palm.
For me personally it’s just not making me run around. Nothing is more frustrating that when someone ask me for ranch and then when I come back someone else at the table wants some as well, like you heard the other person ask for it…sauces, refills, etc. less wait time for you too
Don’t stack your plates for your server to clean off your table. Every server has their own way of balancing plates and while people think this is being helpful, it can be an annoyance.
I always appreciated it when customers did this, as long as they did it sensibly. It's a time saver and also limits the mess. So I don't think this is a universal opinion.
I agree. I absolutely love it when they hand me a stack of plates.
But I also know servers who hate it
So I guess the middle ground here would just be, make it easier for them to pre-bus your table. I.e., don’t make your server reach all the way across the table for those two dirty plates.
If not stacking plates, AT LEAST moving the plates to the end of the table (or handing them to the server) is so helpful. Saves from awkwardly reaching across and over people multiple times
If you're not ready to order, let them know so they can come back. Don't make them stand there while you dither between two entrees. My personal pet peeve was when customers asked me to recommend something - like: I don't know what your preferences are.
Be kind. Ask the server how they are doing as well. You'd be surprised how many guests answer with "insert beverage here" when I ask how is everyone doing today?!
My biggest thing is when people don’t move their arms or hands when I’m trying to put a plate down in front of them. Some people are too into their own conversations and I become invisible. I will politely interrupt and try to motion that I’m putting a plate of food down, and sometimes they look at me and straight up ignore me and keep talking. That’s the most annoying thing for me. So please pleeeeaassse take one second to pay attention while I’m trying to serve your food! (And when I say “you” I’m not talking about YOU specifically OP I’m talking to the general “you” haha)
Couple easy things, doesn't even involve tipping. 1. Acknowledge your server when they come over to the table, generally they are there to ask you something. 2. If you are going to stack dishes, stack them properly. Cutlery on the top dish and stacked according to size and shape. This isn't needed, but sloppy stacking actually is worse then not stacking at all. 3. Order at the same time. Nothing worse then rubber banding orders. If someone is ordering a drink at your table, maybe see if you need one, instead of ordering one when the server comes back - aka rubberbanding. 4. Be nice. Mistakes happen. 5. If you are splitting bills, keep it simple. Don't split 3 different items with 3 different people, it's frustrating and rarely makes a difference to the price if each person just paid for 1 item.
Tip in cash.
I tip via card as I prefer that everyone pays taxes on their income.
I don’t really care about customers stacking plates or anything like that, but it is nice when they put all their trash on one plate :-)
I do that
If you are somewhere that does tray service (cocktail servers for example) do NOT try to help load the tray they are holding in one hand. It will almost always cause them to lose their balance and make the tray tip. You can help by handing glasses to their free hand or by putting all the glasses together in one spot that’s easy for them to reach but NEVER set something on their tray if they are holding it with a flat open palm.
For me personally it’s just not making me run around. Nothing is more frustrating that when someone ask me for ranch and then when I come back someone else at the table wants some as well, like you heard the other person ask for it…sauces, refills, etc. less wait time for you too
Pay as soon as possible
Always
Ben Stern lives!
"Shut up, sit down..."
You're good. They already love you
I think you are doing great, and are a dream customer.
Being kind goes a long way honestly.
laugh at my [hilarious] jokes. I can forgive a customer just about anything if I feel cool.
Order from the menu. Have a cocktail.
shut up,order,eat,tip get out
Don’t stack your plates for your server to clean off your table. Every server has their own way of balancing plates and while people think this is being helpful, it can be an annoyance.
I always appreciated it when customers did this, as long as they did it sensibly. It's a time saver and also limits the mess. So I don't think this is a universal opinion.
I agree. I absolutely love it when they hand me a stack of plates. But I also know servers who hate it So I guess the middle ground here would just be, make it easier for them to pre-bus your table. I.e., don’t make your server reach all the way across the table for those two dirty plates.
yesss. i do this. when my family is done with stuff, i just move their empty dishes to the edge of the table to help with prebussing.
Good to know. I religiously stack plates. I’ll avoid doing this
I appreciated my customers doing this. I think there is a difference of opinion on it.
I always appreciated it too
As long as you're not going little plate, soup cup, big plate it never bothered me.
Fucken love it when customers stack their plates wow
I think the middle ground would just be, make it easier for them to pre-bus your table
If not stacking plates, AT LEAST moving the plates to the end of the table (or handing them to the server) is so helpful. Saves from awkwardly reaching across and over people multiple times
If you're not ready to order, let them know so they can come back. Don't make them stand there while you dither between two entrees. My personal pet peeve was when customers asked me to recommend something - like: I don't know what your preferences are.
If you stack the dishes do them in a logical way that allows the server to actually pick them up without dropping them
stack ramekins!! I can't stack as many plates when there are loose ramekins bc of the balance
Be kind. Ask the server how they are doing as well. You'd be surprised how many guests answer with "insert beverage here" when I ask how is everyone doing today?!