Just Accepted a Job as a Server: What to Expect??

Question

I've just taken a job as a server at Ruby Tuesday's (my first ever job as a server) and am curious about what to expect besides the usual (waiting tables)? What other duties will the job entail that I don't know about or might not have thought about?

Also, from a time perspective, do the servers usually stay after closing to help clean up or are they generally sent home right at closing time? What about when you are there for the opening shift? What preparations are you responsible for then?

Sorry for all of the questions but I'm brand new and want to know what I can expect!

Answer 1

You should expect to learn the in's and out's of Rubys so that you can perform your job at the best of your abilities...

The customer is always right (even the a*****e one) and the cooks can be short tempered and you are going to make mistakes. You have to roll with the punches, learn from mistakes, and constantly  better yourself to make the most out of your new job, you can definitely make pretty good money working fulltime there (expect 300--700 a week depending on location) and that is cash in hand every week. Good luck, and remember to always smile, you will make more money.

And on the bathroom thing, it is usually a cleaning guy that comes every night and the server/host/mgmt staff is all responsible to do mild cleaning during his or her shift... like picking up paper towels off the floor .. hey it could help you make more money in the long run if a guest has a nice clean bathroom to go in and decided they will visit the store again!

Answer 2

Aside from the restaurant rules, always be polite to the customer. Smile, get back to their table to check on them and never keep them waiting. You will work hard, have to deal with the cooks and other staff, but enjoy it. It's a good job. And if you do it right, the tips are wonderful. Good luck!

Answer 3

ive been a server a couple times...my last job i was a server from what i remember is if i opened then i had to do somethings in the back like get the chips and hot sauce ready and cut lemons for the water put these little cap thingys on the the soft drink fountain lol.. and get the ice ready all kinds of little things then i when they opened i would of course serve the tables etc. if i closed i would have to swipe the floors, take off the caps of the soft drink fountain.. put everything up basically clean everything up for the morning shift to come in.

they will teach you, dont worry though.. you may make a few mistakes at first but in about a week or two you will get the hang of it.

Answer 4

Wow..how nice it must be to have that niavete. You can expect lots and lots and lots of work. Neverending. And rude people and mean cooks. Sorry to say this, but if I have any words of advice to you it would be "GO TO COLLEGE!!"

Answer 5

I don't anything about how Ruby Tuesday's is run, but I have been a server for 4 years and I can tell you what the job is like.  

Generally speaking, you will have to learn how to deal with all sorts of people.  There are people out there that will never be happy and nothing you can do will please them.  There are people who clearly think that by tipping you they have the right to boss you around and treat you like c**p.  There are people that will be very very nice to you and then leave you a dollar.  There will be screaming, spoiled little kids that their parents will not or can not control.  There will be customers (male or female) who think it's acceptable to touch, grab, or even smack their server.  (I've seen or experienced all of this so far.)  On the flip side, there are people who are very nice, tip generously, very polite, and treat you like a human being.  Managerment can be a good or bad, depends on who they are.  I've worked with some very lousy managers who resent you for knowing more about how your place is run then they do.  I've worked with some managers who blame their employees (servers, cooks, greets, dishers, ect) everytime, regardless of what really happened.  Sometimes they don't listen or don't care.  We are a dime a dozen to them and therefore very replaceable.  There are some great managers out there, I have one right now.  Sometimes they start off lousy and after some time become very good.  Your fellow employees are your support staff.  Treat them with respect and work as a team.  The cleaning duties can suck, but they are part of the trade.  You can make a good deal of money as a server in a busy place.  

Time management is the key.  Always keep the things you need to do and the order of importance in your mind.  Food gets cold fast, so running your food is a high priority.  Personally, everytime I'm in my section, I check on all of my tables.  It will save you extra trips.  Always anticipate your customers needs so you can be prepared when they ask for things.  Pre-bussing is a great way to keep your bussers happy.  Never let your personal feelings or emotions show when waiting on tables.  At the end of the day, all the little stuff that got on your nerves will be over and you will have cash on hand to leave with.

Answer 6

wow, if it was as easy as coming in, waiting tables, and leaving when the bell tolls 12.. i think everybody would want this job. No, you have a lot of sidework during, after, and a little before you shift. I have never worked at a ruby tuesdays, but have been serving for 3 years. you have to make sure your section is clean, your sidework in the kitchen (bev, salad bar, soups.. whatever they got in there that needs stocking, refilling, cleaning, or managing) could be part of your shift job. Also, expect your manager to p**s you off sometime later down the road when u really know your job.

Most only care about the money and scream at you for your tables not ordering it enough, as if it's your fault. if you don't have a busser there, you will have to clean your tables as quickly as you can get to them.. really sucks during the dinner rushes. I don't think ruby tuesdays has pre-rolled silverware, but if they do, be prepared to be there at least 1/2 an hour-45 minutes afterwords doing that. Also, after your shift, you need to clean some part of the restaurant, and some part of the kitchen.

So, to sum up.. lots of cleaning, managing, running around, stress, picky-annoying-complaining people (some are awesome people though), and expect LOTS of money.. serving makes so much money, and EVERYDAY IS PAYDAY!! :-D Have fun!