When you go to a restaurant, what are some things that the waiter does to influence your opinion of the?

Question

experience/establishment/waiter, either positively or negatively??

Answer 1

*How long it takes to get water/drink to the table.

*Whether acts rushed in telling you the specials and wanting you to order.

*How nice they are when something is wrong with your order & not making you feel uncomfortable when you would like something changed.  That it's not your fault.

*Willingness to answer question no matter how small.

*Acting like nothing is a problem, they can do anything for you.

*Doesn't take too long to get requested item or your food.

Answer 2

A positive attitude, friendly, checks the table several times, but not too often to be pesty. I like when the server does the discreet walk by to see if my coffee cup is low. The tip I leave depends on if she treats me like a person or if she's bothered to have us at her table. If I hear my server swear..she gets nothing. I was a waitress and I learned alot. I have compassion for other servers and I know what is acceptable and what is not. Never touch your body or face in any way when serving. Do not ever put your fingers in the food. Always hand silver ware to the person as your holding the handle. Don't reach over someone at the table to pick up something or place something down unless it's totally unavoidable and tell the person you need to do this first. And manners manners manners. Please, thank you, your welcome, come again soon.

Answer 3

I'm a waiter, so it's kind of rare when I go out to eat.  I think the most crucial thing is the greeting.  I am put off to the whole bit if I am not given the attention I deserve as a paying guest.  It has to be done with a positive attitude with the host/hostess as well as the server.

Answer 4

to affect me positively: very clean appearance, well groomed, very attentive to (about everything, like empty glasses,plates etc.), has courtesy, greets me and attends to me with a smile that says we are very greatfull that u chose our restaurant,(becaue we know that there are a million out there that u could have chose from and we will give u such first class treatment that will want u to come back) checks on my table regualarly and knows the menu and if unable to answer a question pertaining to the menu at least seek an answerr

negatively, if he is inattentive, unkept,well, generally if he is not all of the above

Answer 5

Being attentive is always appreciated.

Answer 6

friendly,introduce themselves,maybe point out specials and check back to see if meal is ok and refill drinks and smile of course oh and pulling plates when you finish eating and offer dessert. i dont know or expect more than that.

Answer 7

What did you get a new jo  or something?

The waitstaff at the restaurant i work at always try to sell the specials, because it brings in more income for the restaurant.  Regular menu prep is also lessened.  The more things you order and the faster you order them, the more money they make, and the more money the restaurant makes.

Answer 8

being friendly is nice...making sure everything is ok shortly after serving and bringing the bill promptly.  

One thing that bothers me is when the waiter/waitress asks if I want my change back....it's basically asking for the tip rather than allowing a person to offer it and I find that to be rude.

Answer 9

i don't think you should get tips.  But i still tip not much unless (and here is the part you want to hear) the waiter is very friendly,  keeps checking up on the table regularly,  know how to have good professional conversation some humor and a genuine smile even I will give a good tip.

Answer 10

I enjoy it when the waiter/waitress is talkative and smiles alot. They should act like they are happy I'm there and would like me to come back. Also if they can answer questions about menu options, this is also helpful. Even if they don't know, they should offer to find out.

Answer 11

the main thing i notice is this........if i go in the restaurant with my husband and the waitress pays more attention to him.she has it backwards.most wives(myself included)love and need the extra attention when we go out.we wait all week for a night out of our own kitchen so we can be pampered.also in my case if i don't like the waitress she will not get a tip.think about it,waiters and waitresses !

Answer 12

Positive:

-acknowledges our presence even if she is busy and lets us know she/he will be with us when she/he can

-Returns after serving the meal to make sure we have everything we need and that the order is right.

-Checks on the drinks to make sure they are kept full

-Removes plates when they are empty or it is obvious the patron is finished with them.

-Offers to box anything that is left over.

-makes sure if it is the smoking section there is an ashtray available

- positive happy attitude

Negative:

-Takes the order and then doesn't come back for a LONG time. Then drops off the food and disappears again for a long time.

- wears facial jewelry other than earrings.

- does not keep the drinks filled

- does not fix mistakes

- does not acknowledge that we are sitting there for a long time without service

- appearing indifferent to the job. Like he/she could care less and is just waiting to get paid.

- refusing to amend the bill if there is an error or at least contact the manager if there is a dispute.

Answer 13

I need a smile, drinks within the first 5 minutes and food within 20 minutes of ordering, roughly.  I also need them to check on me a minute or two after getting my food.  Some things that turn me off are when the waiter takes my order and rushes away from the table.   I want to feel like I'm important, but without being hovered over.

Answer 14

if their funny i tip more.

Answer 15

I like it when s/he asks intelligent questions. I like it when they know the menu, the specials, and can tell when it is time to clear.

Answer 16

don't act as though the man is going to pay the check and give extra service. my wife and i go out and she always pays. makes the ones trying to flirt for a tip look really stupid.

Answer 17

is clean with hair appropriately done up

is prompt coming to the table

smiles and introduces him/herself

knows the menu

can offer advice on food

does not try to sell me the special, just tells me the specials

offers water

knows where the food goes when he/she delivers it to the table

refills drinks without being asked

checks back to see if there is anything additionally we would like (at least twice)

Presents the bill to the appropriate person

says Thank You.

OH YEAH -- most of you work hard for your tips and I think it is a crying shame they don't pay you a better hourly rate to boot.

Answer 18

a waiter should not approach when you are chewing or talking.  a waiter should anticipate what you need before you need to ask for it (i.e. fill up on a drink, brink crackers with a salad,) and a waiter should ask if there is anything else you want like dessert BEFORE bringing the check.  I tip those waiters 30%-40%.  waiters that are basically pack mules who bring a plate of food from the kitchen to my table and then disappear are worthless.  especially when were all wanting dessert and they show up with the bill after disappearing when they dropped off the meal.

Answer 19

If the waiter/waitress is rude, I rate them negatively.  However, for establishment, etc.  it depends on the food, menu options etc.  Most restaraunts are pretty good in hiring great help, and I also keep in mind that people have bad days, however, if a waiter/waitress is rude more than one time, then I talk to management.

Answer 20

smiles,

pays attention to you,

does NOT ignore you,

knows about the food, when asked.

is generally helpful,

these are good things they can do

Answer 21

Negative:

Refering to the diners as "guys", as in, "Can I get you guys some more coffee?" when we're obviously women.

Taking forever to bring the check.  I'm done eating, I want to leave.

Positive:

Prompt service (we know you can't control the kitchen but you can control other aspects) with beverages and the bill.

I'm a big tipper (40% or more) if the service is good.

Answer 22

Positive:

Listening to what I request

Being available without being intrusive

Bringing all diners' food to the table simultaneously

Asking if I would like a second bottle of mineral water as soon as the first one is empty

Leaving adequate time between courses - I'm out to dine, not just "eat"

Bringing a decanter and knowing how to use it properly without being asked

Offering a digestif on the house

Negative:

Serving mineral water in a wine glass

Interrupting me and my guests to ask if everything is to my liking - if it's not, I'll let him or her know

Rabbiting on about specials or desserts when not asked

Using phrases such as "excellent choice" or "that's my favourite" - I'm really not that interested

Bringing me a huge ugly knife when I order beef and taking away my table knife - good beef doesn't need a cleaver to be cut

Trying to clear away dishes before all diners at the table have finished the course