Tag: “Tips”

When asking questions about the menu, be specific. It shows that you are willing to contribute something to the discourse and are engaged. Questions like “So, what’s good here?” or “What are your signature dishes?” drive servers batty. Are you looking for a seafood entree? Do you like pasta? Asking for help in a more specific way will help to focus the conversation and avoid the inevitability of the server recommending foods you don’t like. (ie. “What is your favorite fish dish on the menu?” or “If I’m having the pork chop as my entree, what appetizer would you recommend?”) Please don’t ever say, “If today was your last meal on earth, what would you order?” It’s so cliché. If it was the last day on earth, we’d probably eat somewhere else.

Waiters don’t think it’s funny when you pronounce “We hated it!” facetiously when we clear your finished plates. Anyone who waits tables has already heard this joke over a million times since at least one third of the restaurant population uses it routinely. Even though we bear witness to the joke bombing at tables nightly, we’ll do our best to laugh along and patronize you–because that’s what we are paid to do–but mostly we just wish you’d thank us for clearing the plates. Most waitstaff appreciate having guests with a good sense of humor, just find something aside from the dirty plates we have to bus for you to joke about.