1. 20%. Plain and simple. That is the "new" "15%". I'm not being greedy, it's just I expect that tip amount when I give the service that I give. If I don't get 20% I think to myself, hmmm, I wonder what I did wrong, or what happened? If they tip below 15% I chalk it up to, they are just plain rude or ignorant. If I get above 20%, I think wow! They were really nice, and blessed me tonight! Made up for people who tipped "below".
2. *side note to #1* Did you know we only get $3/hour as a wage? we depend on your tip. :-)
3. If you use a gift card, have a coupon, or get something taken off your bill...guess what? You tip off of the original bill. Not the discount amount.
4. When a server comes to your table, to ask what you want to drink, introduce themselves, ask how the dinner is, etc... Please do not ignore them and continue talking like they are not there. Rudeness. I think you can take 3 sec. of your time to smile and say, "I'll have a coke please, or Everything tastes great, thanks!" After all YOU chose to come out to eat and be served....you have a server. If it is something that you need privacy for....go home or rent a private booth at another restaurant that does that. We're not bothering you...we're just doing our job.
5. Manners. First of all you should treat everyone the same, but I would just like to point out that....you don't know the back-story to your server! I didn't choose to be a server b/c I can't do anything else. I have a college degree, going to be a performer/singer, and my husband is studying to be a chiropractor. Respect. Please, Thank-you, smiles, not thinking you are "above" your server.
6. We don't cook your food. You would be surprised at how many people act like they "think" this. If you have to wait a little bit longer for your food than normal, it's not because "we're out back chasing the chicken" or "we're out back picking the tomato". (yes, people have said this) It's because the kitchen is backed up, and you chose to come eat between 6:45-8pm. Wait time has nothing to do with the server, please don't take it out on them.
7. Be aware of close times! If the restaurant closes at 10pm, do not get in there @ 9:45pm expecting to sit down and eat a relaxed meal. It's rude. You didn't "just make it". I would say a good rule of thumb is, a hour before close to be the latest to eat. You have to figure, you're not going to leave there until right before close. Also, if servers are still around, and you are thinking "oh, they're still here...we're fine". hello. We're here, because you are :-)
8. Credit card, great! Cash, great as long as no change needed...or saying "hey, just give me a $5 back" would be fine. During the shift you have a lot of tables going on and to stop and go get change, etc...slows you down. Credit/debit cards we just swipe it, deliver it to you, and then we're done. Cash, when people say, "no change needed"...bless you. *side note* go ahead and pay your server after the check is delivered. Guess what? You can still sit there and visit to your hearts desire...it just allows us to close out your check on our end.
I wrote this because honestly I had no idea about a lot of these things until I worked in this industry. Someone once said, everyone should be a server at one time in their life. I totally agree with this statement. You appreciate the hard work that is done. If I have helped someone here have a "light-bulb" moment by writing this, I'm sure their next server will appreciate it. And my job is done.
