Important Things Your Server Might Not Tell You

What could sound better than enjoying a piping hot meal made by a professional chef and served to you with your choice of drinks? And that too without having to clean up all the food mess and doing dishes afterward? Mostly, people eat out because of this reason alone. Convenience is the fundamental reason why people love dining out. 

However, no matter the reason you eat out, you should never forget how important it is to treat your server well. The way you treat your server in general showcases your personality and humbleness. It is good to understand how some of your behaviors might annoy your server more than anything and how to avoid them altogether.

Things Your Server Might Not be Telling You

 

Besides the restaurant’s formal rules, there are certain unwritten rules or mannerisms that require you to be polite and humble with your server. You might not find them written anywhere, but they are essential. There is a reason behind a lot of things your server might not be saying to your face but dying to point out. 

Servers have to keep a smiling face all the time. They might be bursting inside, but they are not required to say some things on your face. This is the reason why several struggling actors take waiting tables as their first job. 

1. It is Difficult to Keep Waiting for Your Incomplete Party 

If you arrive earlier than the rest of your party and have to wait while they seat you, it is not because the waiter has something personal against you. If the server does not give you a table before most people of your party arrive, it does not mean they are trying to show their power over you. It is simply difficult to seat one or two people while they wait for a dozen more.  

2. Empty Tables are not up for Snagging 

If you see empty tables while waiting for a little while, do not get cross at your server. Empty tables at a restaurant do not mean that they are up for occupancy. There might be some reasons why there is no one being seated at those. First and foremost, the restaurant might be a tad bit short on the servers, and that is why, for your own sake, they have chosen to let those tables remain empty. 

Secondly, there might be a reservation for a gathering you are not invited to. So, the next time you incessantly argue with your server about the empty seats, keep in mind these things that your server might not tell you. 

3. Do Not Stack the Dishes 

While you might think you are helping your server by stacking up your empty dishes after finishing the meal, you might be increasing their workload. Professional restaurant servers are trained to stack and carry a big pile of dishes. They know how to manage those delicate plates and cutlery. 

If you stack them your way thinking that you are helping the server, they have to rearrange the pile again and then clear the table. This only increases their workload as servers are busy and have to wind up things quickly. This is not something your server can say to your face, but it sure is in their hearts.

4. Nagging Your Server Will Not Speed up Your Order 

We all know how hard it is to wait for the food to arrive, especially when hungry. However, if you keep bugging the waiter about it and ask them the same thing whenever you catch a glimpse of them, know that it is not going to speed things up.

Your servers might not tell you because they are trained to be polite and courteous, and speeding up the order is not in their hands. It might be the kitchen staff making the order late or something else, but nagging the server is not going to help. 

5. Order For the Kids Yourself 

Parents love when their kids are getting the hang of socializing and eating out. They love the cute baby babbles when kids start wanting their plate of fries at a restaurant. Sure, it must be very cute and heartwarming but believe it when we tell you that waiters are running on a clock. They have to keep things going while not wasting any time trying to decipher what your toddler is trying to order. 

They would never tell you that because even if they love babies, there is no time in their hectic schedule to stand there for ages trying to get the order out of your kids. Be a sensible parent and ask your kids beforehand and tell your server. 

6. Make Room for Food on the Table 

Okay, so this does not imply that your server wants you to perform any of his duties. Likely, the server will not ask you to do so, but the mannerism implies that you make room for the hot foods or plates when he brings them and removes your belongings. The server is not allowed to touch or move your things, such as your phone or wallet, or keys. So, the least you can do for them is to shuffle things around when your food arrives. 

7. You Cannot Switch Tables by Yourself 

If you have any problems or issues regarding your seating, ask your server to move you somewhere else. Seating you at a table is the first step a server has to take. He must have thought it through before making you sit – such as cleaning and setting the table. So, if you want to move to a new table, say near the window or at the restaurant’s back, ask your server to move you. 

8. Think Through and Order Correctly 

Although it is a server’s prime responsibility to attend to you with the best services possible, it is not good to keep teasing them and making changes in order. Go through the menu thoroughly and think it through. Order correctly afterward and if you have any special instructions regarding food, tell them while ordering.

You should avoid constantly calling them time and again to have your order changed– as your order will be delayed, and the server will be lagging on the rest of the tables. 

Be Polite and Treat Them Well 

Servers or waiters are trained to be always helpful and courteous. It is their job, and they are required to be polite. However, if you are polite with them and treat them with respect, it is a reflection of your upbringing and kind nature. They might keep so many things from you as their job is to serve you with the utmost respect, but you need to take care of a lot of things.