Restaurant Etiquette 101

Now, I was just going to make this a 'tipping etiquette' blog. However, there are more rules then just tipping when it comes to dining out. Here's the need-to-know info.

1. Tipping-When it comes to tipping it should be based off the quality of service you’ve had. However, there is a minimum standard to this. The serverswho  take your order, bring your food and drinks make $2.83 an hour, so you should always stick to 15-20 percent of your check minimum, if you think they did an outstanding job your are welcome to tip as much as you like, you will hear no complaints coming from them. There are some other factors that work into that as well though, if you sit at their table and chat for hours with friends/family, take into account that they could have easily made another $10+ tip off the other tables in the hour or two extra that you sat there. Of course, forbid, something does go wrong, I would hope a manager were to come over and help with the situation. Just keep in mind, a person who is waitressing does rely on tips so please do not be insulting.

2. Treatment of the server- If you are a “need” guest and constantly want refills or extra sauces that you didn’t mention when you ordered you are going to encounter a less-than-happy server. While your server may never seem anything but kind, they are probably less than enthusiastic to be constantly running for many things when you could have told them you needed them all at once. If you are one of these people be sure to compensate the server for their hard work.

If think you like your server that is great, they may even like you, too. If you find a server you like, stick with them as much as you can. In chain restaurants/pubs that serve food/ dinners, having “regulars” means that server is doing what they are supposed to be doing. They are not only retaining business they are also more likely to get their “regulars” to recommend the place to their friends, as well. Even if you don’t go to a place that often, being considered a “regular” is a good thing. The servers will get to know you, help you out by clueing you in on specials that may not be as well advertised and may even work with their manager to get you drinks, or appetizers on the house for special occasions.

3. Complaints-When it comes to the food, YES, the server may have a hand in mistakes being made, but when things are cooked incorrectly, take a look around you. Are they busy? If the restaurant is busy, try to be understanding. The kitchen and servers have a thounsand things going on while they may be seasoned at multi-tasking, mistakes are still made. They are only human. Do not tip them off of bad food… EVER! Tips are purely for service.

If something was wrong with the order, please tell the waitress or waiter and they will try and accomodate you. Often times, the guest will tell the waitress everything was fine and tell the manager a completely different story. If you are allergic to anything and need to have a certain seasoning off your food or cooked in a different pan, please tell the waiter/waitress when you order. They don’t want to have to call an ambulance to take you to the hospital just about as much as you don’t want to go to the hospital.

4. Some other key tips-a.-When you go out to eat one of the first suggestions is to make sure you are clean, If a server walks past a table and can smell the body odor oo perfume, they in all honesty avoid that table as much as they can. Just like other forms of allergies a lot of people are allergic to strong perfumes. Not only will it give your server a headache but you will also be the topic of interest in the kitchen.

b.-As for the 21+ crowd, please do not complain when you are carded, sometimes numerous times. A lot of late night places will card at the doors, but this is not a guaranteed checkpoint, therefore you may or may not be carded again at the bar, or at a table, if there is a wait you will often be carded at the bar and again at the table if you have finished your drink and sat down at the table without one.  Carding doesn’t mean that the servers think you are lying about your age; it is a requirement on our end to keep our liquor license. If we were to be tested and they had a younger man/women (looking under the age of 30) come in and were not carded, the liquor license could be pulled, and they could be fined.

c.-One of the biggest pet peeves of a server is when customers come in and make a mess, or shortly before closing time. If you come in, with children especially, it is almost guaranteed there is going to a mess underthat server’s table. A few crumbs here and there is expected but dropping large amounts of food on the floor is just inconsiderate, not only is that servergetting paid less than minimum to serve you, they are then getting paid even less to clean up after you, in which time they are not being seated at that table because it is considered “dirty”.

d. Lastly, while you should avoid eating late at all costs, there are often times you can’t help it, whether your traveling or your stuck because of bad weather or your job held you late. If you catch yourself in one of those situations treat the server as if they were family, while you can’t do the dishes or get your own food you can help wipe up crumbs and stack everything neatly for them.

So, there you have it. We are all human and deserve some respect and dignancy. Tip your waiter or waitress, and be sure to keep neat at your table.