A question to restaurant staff?

Question

I just got hired for a job in a new restaurant. Since it's new everyone else will be learning with me and I like that. But I've never worked in a restaurant before. I've done customer service jobs so I know how that goes. But I'm wondering what a hostess does exactly. Obviously I'll be seating customers, but I'd like more details. I want to be as knowledgeable as possible going in to this. And I'd love to hear any stories from those of you who work at a restaurant, just don't scare me out of a job! Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm a waitress in a restaurant, but we do not have a hostess. However, I would say to smile, smile, smile! You have to be courteous and friendly. You are the first person the customer sees when they enter a restaurant.

You may have to get drinks, and tell them soups and specials. It depends on the restaurant. Give crayons out when there are children, again, if they have them.

If you are doing takeout orders, then some will tip. It's not mandatory, but some people do tip for takeout. I'm sure you'll get minimum wage. You will probably feel that you should waitress instead, I'm sure if it's busy, they will make more money than you.

But just be nice and smile. People do not want to see a sour person. And Good Luck!!!!

Answer 2

usually yoiu will take the money for dinners( if this place does that) SEAT THE CUSTOMERS. answer the phones, sometimes get the drinks. (dennys) asssign custimers to certain waters/ wait staff. and do small jobs around.  also, yes. you will and should get a % OF THE TIPS,  thats how it usally works. and you might have to pack the take out....

Answer 3

I've worked in a few restaurants as a waitress. The hostess would greet people, walk them to their table, tell them who their server is, etc.

Other duties might be going around the restaurant, gathering up the menus that the servers placed various places, taking phone calls, making reservations, getting highchairs & booster seats for the kids, getting an open menu count (letting the cooks know how many people are sitting down looking at menu's), cleaning and restocking the bathroom.

For to go, you would take the order, if could be on the phone or in person. Bag up the order and make sure they have everything they requested such as silverware, napkins, etc. You might have to bring it out to their car for curbside service. Then you might have to refill up the to-go area with to go silverware, napkins, condiments, register paper, pens, etc.

As far as tips, I've worked in 3 restaurants that had hosts. Two of them the hostesses did not receive a portion of our tips. Only one restaurant did the servers tip out the hostesses.

Now, with to go though. Some people do tip, some people do not. It's  not a guarantee. If people will, most of the time it's the ones that have  bigger orders and/or you bring it out to their car.

Good luck! :)  

Answer 4

Whoever told you that you get a percentage of tips is full of c**p. All a hostess does is seat and greet the customers--you will probably get paid minimum wage, but you do not get tipped.

Answer 5

you get to clean bathrooms have fun =)

Answer 6

Depending on the type of resturant  and the pace of the restuarant your hostess duties  will include greeting customers, taking reservations, possibly escoting customers to their seats. Tips..umm I dont know. I hope you dont have a thin skin because if this is the type of   restuarant that gets extremely busy you are on the front line.