How To Be a Good Customer for Your Waitress

Being a waiter or waitress is perhaps one of the most underpaid and underappreciated jobs ever. If you've ever been in this occupation you know what I'm talking about. In many aspects I think the job is more difficult for girls as we have to deal with unruly and disrespectful men who think it is their right to ogle and harass the poor waitress bringing them their food.

In any case, here are some tips on how you can be a good customer and ensure the best service.

Tip #1: Tip!

Believe it or not, waitresses don't do it for the hourly wage the restaurants pay them. Tips are how they make a living. The rule used to be tip 15% of your total bill. However, due to inflation that has been upped to 20% which believe it or not is not all that much more. When tipping keep these thoughts in mind: many restaurants require that waitresses give a percentage of their tips to the hostess, busboys, and in some cases the bartender. So think about that when you're considering how much to give. Your tip is getting split three or more ways. (It's outrageous, I know.) Tip #2: Be patient.

It can be very difficult for a waitress to remember everything, particularly during peak meal hours. From experience I can tell you that customers start to blend together as the day goes on and it gets harder to remember specific requests simply because you are so tired. Also be patient when it comes to mistakes with your order. Between the waitress taking your order and delivering your food there is another person who can mess it up: the cook. I once worked in a restaurant where the main cook had serious eye problems. He couldn't see the orders and so many times would cook the wrong item. If you're lucky your waitress will catch the mistake and demand that the cook deliver the correct meal. However, this does result in a longer waiting time for your food, but your waitress is doing you a service by making sure your meal is correct. Should the wrong order slip past your waitress, be polite and understanding. Believe me, they're embarrassed by a wrong order and will do what it takes to correct the mistake. Tip #3: Be loyal.

If you eat out often, find a good restaurant and stick to it. Loyal and frequent customers will receive better service simply because their faces are remembered. I mentioned earlier that customers start to blend together as the day wears on. Not so with 'regulars'. Being a loyal patron will make you stand out. Tip #4: Be clear when ordering.

In my opinion the best way to guarantee that your order is correct is to state the name of what you want while pointing to the item on the menu. This is particularly helpful for newbies who might not have memorized the menu yet. If you have a group it can be helpful to appoint one person to recite everybody's orders, particularly if you have multiple orders of the same items with slight variations (i.e. 3 orders of enchiladas, one with extra onions, one with no onions, and one with jalepenos on the side).
Tip #5: Control your children.
There is nothing worse than having little children running around while you're carrying a giant platter stacked with dishes and a stand to set it on in the other hand. There is literally nothing you can do to avoid a collision if they get in your way. It's also not helpful when children throw food. With these tips you'll not only receive better service but you'll acquire a reputation as "good customer" and that can only help you.