Any waiters or waitresses out there?

Question

I'm going for a temporary job as a waitress, and have blagged it a bit and said I've done it before.......err.......no I haven't. Is there a 'way' of doing it, ie, taking orders in any particular way round a table so you remember who ordered what? Should you serve anyone in particular first, ie ladies, or from left to right...... Any tips in general would be much appreciated. Thank you !

Answer 1

ladies first yes Left to right work fast and be polite  

Answer 2

I was a server for the majority of my working life.  I wish you luck and hope that you are going to be working in a restaurant where you will have the opportunity to make very good tips.  Most places serve from the left to the right.  Make sure to smile constantly, kiss up to the guests, and always help with the side work.  Good luck!!!!

Answer 3

Sorry i am not

Answer 4

Write everything down.  Write the table number next to every order.  Don't be afraid to tell someone to wait while you're still writing--tell them you want to make sure you are getting their orders right.  You'll quickly learn some shorthand that will help you write more quickly.  I was a waiter for years and this is the most important tip I can give any server.  Don't count on trying to remember it.  I have seen many servers that pride themselves on remembering everyone's order.  These servers are the same ones that constantly made mistakes.  Mistakes = Lower tips.

For who gets served first, it depends where you're working.  If it's just your normal everyday family restaurant (and I hope it is or you are in for a world of hurt as a new server) you can just go from left to right.  Try not to let people order out of order unless someone isn't ready.  If someone does order out of order still write it down where they would be on the left to right order.

Don't "auction off" food at the table.  It's tacky.  By that I mean "Who had the club sandwich?"  By writing everything down in order you'll know exactly who had what.  If you have to, pull out your order from that table and just go down the list.

Good luck.  I hated waiting tables but it paid the bills all through college.

Answer 5

Ladies first, left to right. When taking orders it helps if you put a clue next to the written order, for example: 1st order lady is wearing hoop earrings, you would write "hoop" next to what she ordered. Next to her on the right, man has blue tie, write "btie" next to his order...etc.. I have found this helps alot.

Also helpful when bringing the food to the table you can say something like.... " and the stuffed pork chops go???" Usually one of them will direct you who has what.

It's not that difficult to remember after a while. You should get the hang of it fast. Once you get a routine going you should be fine.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You are meant to serve the oldest lady on the table first but I don't think that makes a great deal of difference as long as you start with the lady.

You have to serve from the left and clear the dirty plates from the right. I always try and place my body behind the person I'm serving so that I don't have to reach over them too much, just my arm goes around. Although that depends on the sort of table.

I think as long as you have a big smile and seem really helpful people won't mind what you are doing. Ohhh and wear flat shoes or your feet will kill half way through your shift.

Good luck! : )

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