What do you look for in a good waitress?

Question

When you go out to eat tell me what it is that makes you say "hey our waitress is great". What is it about a waitress that makes you say WOW!? What are you looking for in a good waitress?

Answer 1

keep the drinks coming and not dissapearing for long durations on end

Answer 2

someone friendly and responsible. i think that's good enough.

Answer 3

most people are lost when they go out to eat. they have no where else to throw away money.    so you take command and make them feel wanted. that should result in a nice tip.   thanks!!!!

Answer 4

Someone who is attentive but not buggy.  One of my pet peeves is waitresses who come up to your table and interrupt you mid sentence to as if everything is OK.

Answer 5

polite, respectfulness, good PR, able to communicate with all level of people, humorous in controllable manner, know how to dress up, controllable temper, know how to deal with customer's complaint and the most important is always smile.

Answer 6

prompt service

Answer 7

Somebody who knows what they are talking about or is at least willing to be wrong.  Nothing pisses me off more in a waitress/waitor when they just make answers up on the fly and end up being wrong, especially when it comes to beer.  

I also really hate it when wait staff assumes that you want your food a certain way like slathering your meal in some sauce, or serving your beer in a frosted glass with a wedge of fruit.  I suppose that could be a bartender/chef thing but the wait staff are the ones that have to deal with it and therefore should be the mediator of stopping such things.

Answer 8

As a former waitress, I can be somewhat particular... (I was trained by a very strict boss!)

~If a man and woman are dining, the waiter/waitress should ask the woman what she would like to drink/eat first, and also serve first...

~After the food is served, after each person has taken one to two bites, the server should be back at the table to make sure everything is acceptable, and if anything else is needed.

~If drinks are getting low, offer to refill if it is alcoholic or just do it if it is water/pop

~Keep tabs on them..if it looks like they are missing something, or if something is wrong, stop over to make sure everything is up to their standards

**edit** I agree w/ Diane...getting the check out promptly is huge..I HATE waiting around for it!!

Answer 9

Cheerfulness, sense of humor, promptness, helpfulness and staying out of my/co-diners personal business

Answer 10

efficiency! checking up on us to make sure all is well.

Answer 11

one that is polite, doesn't rush to place order, gets order right, sence of humor, doesn't bugs so much if you want a refill (if it's near empty just refill it if it's free), doesn't run around like she doesn't know whats going on, doesn't stand behind you but lets you breath

Answer 12

I have only one crieteria...SHE SHOULD NOT BOTHER ME MUCH

Answer 13

first, she must be clean & well groomed, not overdone.

a friendly, personality, pleasant smile.

promptness.

listen to any changes your customer wished to make.

make sure their drinks,( all drinks + water ) are kept refilled.

make sure you are friendly, keep up with your customers wants & needs. but do not over do as to interrupt their meal.

Answer 14

someone who keeps checking on the table, especially after the food has arrived; the server should check to see that everything is satisfactory and nothing missed.  I look for a person who makes me feel welcome.  Also, if I ask for recommendations, I want the server's honest opinion, not just, "everything's good."

Answer 15

These have all been great answers! As a waitress I made sure to read each & every one! I know I ALWAYS try to provide excellent service! GREAT QUESTION!

Answer 16

Quick to introduce her or himself.

Allow us time to read menu.

Be polite and make possible suggestions or comments.

Repeat our order to be sure it is correct.

Keep water glasses or sweet tea full.

Serve food with a smile and ask if we need anything else.

Check back to see if everything is Okay

Clear dirty dishes promptly.

Ask if we would like to see dessert menu.

Thank us for coming in and that she enjoyed serving us.

Present check and offer to pick up when ready.

A few mints with the change wouldn't hurt.

Now, she deserves a good tip - 20% or better!

Answer 17

i like it when there fast, and they try to connect to you like get involved in your conversation and laugh and the jokes you make and such, relateabilty is a big factor. and if they cant get the food or drinks out right away one who make suree that you understand the issues

Answer 18

Someone who anticipates my needs instead of making me wait until she (you did say "waitress", not "server") happens to come around again.  Keep my drinks filled without me having to ask.  Smile and don't make me repeat my order 10 times.  If she's pleasant and does all those things, I'll tip in the range of 20-25%.  If not, 5-10%.

Answer 19

she should have a perky backside

Answer 20

Unlike some people, I don't feel like the waiter/waitress had to treat me like I am their only customer. As long as I feel like they are in control of all their duties. If I am eating something spicy, don't make me wait or have to ask for a refill. Demeanor is the obvious first though. If you're having a bad day or had a bad customer, choke it down, shrug it off, whatever, so you don't treat other customers badly.

Answer 21

keep my drink full... but dont bother me too much

Answer 22

Grub and coffee ........ FAST.

Answer 23

Respectful, promt, knowlegable, honest,funny,laid-back, ready for service. Non smoker, attractive.  Well, I think I just described myself.

Answer 24

Polite and repectful.

Answer 25

Polite, knowledgeable about the menu, keeps the drinks full, attentive but doesnt hover and annoy you,has a good sense of humor,  gets you the check promptly. Makes you feel welcome and that the restaurant is concerned with you having the best possible experience.

Answer 26

politeness and humoris