The Art of Serving (A note to
Servers)
Serving can be an art form. I know, you don't believe that. It's grunt
work, it's degrading. It's something you do until something better comes
along. I say, it's all in your attitude.
Haven't you ever heard the old saying "Be the best you can be, no matter
what it is that you're doing?
There is nothing degrading about making people happy and getting paid
for it.
I don't know what the current day managers tell their servers to say to us,
the paying customers, but half the time, I feel like a "mark". Like all the
server thinks about is their tip, regardless of whether the server actually
earned it by displaying good service. It is so common now to be served by
someone that has no goodwill or good cheer about them.
As a former waitress, I KNOW what the scene is. I KNOW when it's truly busy
to the point of mental breakdown and you have to "focus, focus, focus".
I see Wait Staff today act like "they're so busy", (too busy to pay attention
to us) when they are not. They might be busy to get back into a conversation
with another Server or even eat their own food. But when the restaurant is
half empty and they spend fifteen minutes in the kitchen without coming out,
something is up and it's not my food.
YOU are the GOODWILL AMBASSADOR for the establishment in which you
work. You are the frontline representative. How you treat the customer is
reflective of what you think of your job, the place itself, your boss and
even yourself. One does not need to be a psychic to figure out if the server
enjoys their job.
The bottom line is to treat people the way that you would like to be treated.
Treat people as well as if they were guests in your own home, instead of
the non commitment that is so prevalent today. Today being served feels like
a "hit and run".
You don't have to be "buddy buddy", you just have to be friendly and efficient.
Make sure that the tables have silverware before the first food is presented,
don't wait for the customer to have to ask for their forks and knives, it
makes you look like you're not paying attention. Even if you ARE extremely
busy, at least acknowledge the table and state that you'll be with them as
soon as possible. We've watched waitresses zooming by for fifteen minutes
having no idea if this was OUR waitress, or not. People have eyes, they can
see if their Server is really busy and they'll be patient. Just acknowledge
them.
Extend yourself and really seem interested in your job and the surroundings.
Give it a try, can't hurt, right? Who knows, maybe your tips will go up and
you'll like your job better.
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