Server / Bartender

What types of customers are the worst tippers?

Asked by kellytime! over 11 years ago

Believe me when I say that I am not tryin to be racist, but asians are definitly the worst tippers. During tourism season however (summertime) Europeans are the worst. Many countries in Europe such as France include the gratuity automaticly into the bill and alot of tourists believe it is the same in Canada so they end up not tipping.

Which do you prefer: serving, or bartending? Why?

Asked by thechase almost 12 years ago

They both have their ups and downs. Bartending is very low stress and high paying. I was a bartender in a club, a golf course and a lounge so i've seen it all. Serving is high stress but also high payout. I've served for chain restaurants, small town diners and downtown classy restaurants.

All in all, I prefer serving to bartending simply because of the higher standards in serving. As a woman, I feel I am much more respected as a server than as a bartender.

How much more would you guess female servers and bartenders get tipped compared to their male counterparts?

Asked by shogunn almost 12 years ago

I would say it is about equal. Female servers will obviously get tipped higher on tables where the customers are all men and Male servers will ge tipped more on tables with all women. During your shift, you will get a mix of men and women. At the end of the day it balances out. If you have high charisma skills and product knowledge, combined with a friendly smile, you will most likely hit it off with your customers regardless of their gender. Being a male or female server dosen't necessarily affect your tips, your skills and personality do!

What's the most disrespectful thing customers do to you on a daily basis? And while we're on that topic, what's the most disrespectful thing a customer has EVER done to you?

Asked by allie over 11 years ago

Any server would get irritated at the kind of customer who snaps their fingers to get their attention. I am not your slave, I am not your Butler. I make a point of introducing myself BY NAME to every single customer and I expect them to use it. 

In terms if the most disrespectful thing EVER, it's really hard to say since this is the kind of business where being disrespected daily is part of the job. 

Is it safe to say that the table that's ordering alcohol (AKA driving up the bill) will get better service than the table that doesn't?

Asked by camel_joe over 11 years ago

In many chain restaurants (kelsey's, montana's, est side Mario's) yes! Since in those establishments tips per table are usually significantly lower, even though you worked your booty off for that 4$ on a 80$ bill. In higher class restaurants, no. In the establishment I'm working for presently, we pride ourselves on building an experience for every single customer. This includes great drinks, excellent food and of course top of the line service from the staff. No matter who you are or what you are spending you will get the same amazing service. 

The only thing that would influence whether you get more attention from your server is your attitude. I am much more inclined to give my all to a chatty table full of friendly people that one that barely acknowledges my existence. 

Point being, if you want better service, be a good customer. 

Best tip you ever received? Good story behind it?

Asked by JKow almost 12 years ago

The best tip I ever recieved was from a regular at the restaurant. The man comes at least once a week and always has a nice entourage with him. Of course he always orders the best food, the best wine, the top shelf liquor, anything for him and his guests. His favourite? A 600$ bottle of champagne. Every server in the restaurant always wants him to sit in their section. One day, he sat in mine. I was so excited. As I started chatting to him and his guests, I got to know him a little more. Turns out, he is the son of the former president of the United Arab Emirates! I couldn't believe it, he seemed like such a normal guy (aside from the insanely high bill at the end of the night,which he had no problem takin care of). I ended up with a 500$ tip. This man basicy paid my rent!

What do you think of those news stories where cashiers or waitresses leave mean comments on a customer bill as a joke? Is it awful, or just at-work pranks that miss the mark?

Asked by PP over 11 years ago

I think it depends on the establishment. In the kind of restaurants I have worked in (higher class establishments) it would be completly unacceptable. I am a strong believer in making a connection with my guests and vulgarity or offensive language is not part of them. Such behaviour is completly innapropriate and I prefer to leave kind or funny messages on my bills

honestly... If someone accidentally double-tips when gratuity is included, do you say something?

Asked by blubuttonz over 11 years ago

Honestly...if they have been nice to me, yes I will tell them. If they have treated me like less of a person than them, no. If they want to be respected then they need to treat me the same.

Have you ever dropped a tray full of meals you were bringing out?

Asked by gronk over 11 years ago

Yes. Yes I did. Our kitchen is actually in the basement of the restaurant so we have to go up and down stairs with the plates...in heels. I was carrying 4 plates in my hands and i couldn't see the stairs and half way up I missed a step and fell in the middle of the stairs. I will always remember this because it was the first time (and hopefully the last time) that I dropped a plate. I broke 2 plates and all the meals had to be re-done. It was very embarassing having to go see my table and explain to them why their meals were going to be a little longer, but we all laughed about it together.

It much more common for servers to drop a tray full of glasses. The glasses are much more fragile, light and unstable. I can't count how many time I broke glasses haha.

Have you ever brought out a table's food only to realize that you completely forgot to put one person's order in? If so, do you own up to it, or just tell them that "theirs will be right up" and then tell the kitchen to make it pronto?

Asked by inthehoodie over 11 years ago

How did you become a bartender? What would you recommend for someone that is a server trying to be a bartender?

Asked by anonymous almost 11 years ago