From a waitress to the consumer. How can I get a better tip from you?

Question

I am a waitress in Texas. I just graduated college with a BA in Biology and I have a new job as a Microbiologist, but that's besides the point. I am currently still waitressing before I transition into my career level job and I may still do it on the weekend to get extra cash. I've been a waitress for 3 years and I wanted to know from people who are not waiters or are in the industry, what can I do better to get a good tip from you? I usually do the rotation getting drinks, entertaining guests, getting hot food to them in a timely fashion, but for some reasons beyond that, tips haven't been what they used to be. I am overly nice and I smile a lot and talk to my tables (I'm required to at the restaurant I am at). What can I do better to get a good tip? And what I mean good is 20% or more?

Answer 1

The best waitress I ever had, I felt like she was reading our minds. Drinks refilled before we knew they were empty, extra napkins on the table when our food was served.

Worst experiences included a waitress who had on way too much perfume and creepily asked us how we were doing every 5 minutes and a waiter who took our drink order and then went out for a 15 min smoke break before coming back to take our food order.

Other than reading minds, being friendly and laying off the perfume and smokes... all I can tell you is to move on to a better restaurant or city

Answer 2

Hard to say as havent seen you in action, you may be trying too hard, the place you work may be too slow on food preparation, and quality of food may be lacking,  timeas are tough, people may be cutting back, people are cheap.....

Answer 3

Make sure that people get their drinks RIGHT AWAY! (Bread sticks are also great!) They will wait a long time happily if they have something to sip and/or chew on!

Answer 4

It will always be an individual decision on the part of the guest. If a person is not naturally inclined toward generosity, there probably isn't much you can do about it. Do keep in mind that economic times are getting more difficult for everyone.

Answer 5

Sounds like your doing a great job to me! Check in alot and maybe bring the unexpected, an extra bottle of ketchup although the old ones half-way-full, tell them of your personal faves and give them tips on whats good and whats not!

Be so friendly you make their tooth rott out and just keep doing what your doing! :D Best of wishes! Good Luck with the microbiologist thing! youll be making good money soon, dont worry too much about the waitress thing! some people just dont tip good!

Answer 6

Once before the food gets there once during the food and after to ask if everything is ok and can anything be gotten thats about it sounds like your doing what you  can.

Answer 7

Maybe it's because you're overly nice!  People might think you're trying too hard to get a big tip and purposely won't give you one.  Just say to yourself before you get to a table that any money you get is more than what you walked in the door with, and then you won't seem so desperate.

Answer 8

other than show your cleavage to the businessmen i think people (men have a set amount they are going to tip when they sit down) women will deduct money for every minor detail and justify it with her friends and a guy can't tip alot when he is out on a date or with his spouse because she will say that's too much are you trying to pick her up or something so there is nothing you can do other than be yourself

Answer 9

After Christmas tips  will drop cause everyone spent too much and income tax is on the way.  

But here are some tips for increasing tips.  

Don't flirt with guys if the girl is there, talk to her also.  She may be the one who figures out the tip for him...I always do that.  

Be friendly but don't hang around the table making small talk, unless you see that it is welcome, that gets irritating.    

If customers are unsure what to order, ask for preferences and then make suggestions.  

Serve food in the order it should be served, appetizers first, salad, then entree...and pre-bus everything.  

Serve all guests at one table at the same time.  

Don't serve overdone or dried up food, and don't make excuses for poor quality food, replace it.

If food items are empy, salad dressing, lemons etc.  offer more.

Always stop by after they start eating to check for any needs they have, fill water etc.  

That's just normal restaurant service.  Good luck.