what do you people like (not that i really care)

[Skingirlsteady]

I just started as a back waitress (the one who takes care of all the wines, drinks and dessert) at an Italian restaurant called Ciao Baby. The managers drill into our heads about how we need to chat up the customers, "get all up in their business", and basically tell them what they're gonna eat and drink and recommend/upgrade all sorts of shit. (i.e. if they want a martini, tell them we have grey goose instead of regular "house" vodka, etc)

HOWEVER...at 4 or 5-star hotel restaurants (such as the W Hotel or Trump) I've seen customers call the manager over and ask to have a differnet waiter because he talked to them too much.

Just out of curiosity what do you people like,

the waiter that chats you up, makes small talk recommends drinks, or the waiter that just does the job, doenst' really talk and leaves the table ASAP?

[PoundingNails]

I just started as a back waitress (the one who takes care of all the wines, drinks and dessert) at an Italian restaurant called Ciao Baby. The managers drill into our heads about how we need to chat up the customers, "get all up in their business", and basically tell them what they're gonna eat and drink and recommend/upgrade all sorts of shit. (i.e. if they want a martini, tell them we have grey goose instead of regular "house" vodka, etc)

HOWEVER...at 4 or 5-star hotel restaurants (such as the W Hotel or Trump) I've seen customers call the manager over and ask to have a differnet waiter because he talked to them too much.

Just out of curiosity what do you people like,

the waiter that chats you up, makes small talk recommends drinks, or the waiter that just does the job, doenst' really talk and leaves the table ASAP?I like it when the waitress serves me and then comes home with me.

[SouthSide Eric]

I just started as a back waitress (the one who takes care of all the wines, drinks and dessert) at an Italian restaurant called Ciao Baby. The managers drill into our heads about how we need to chat up the customers, "get all up in their business", and basically tell them what they're gonna eat and drink and recommend/upgrade all sorts of shit. (i.e. if they want a martini, tell them we have grey goose instead of regular "house" vodka, etc)

HOWEVER...at 4 or 5-star hotel restaurants (such as the W Hotel or Trump) I've seen customers call the manager over and ask to have a differnet waiter because he talked to them too much.

Just out of curiosity what do you people like,

the waiter that chats you up, makes small talk recommends drinks, or the waiter that just does the job, doenst' really talk and leaves the table ASAP?

In between!! Seriously though, I've worked at a restaraunt for almost 20 years, and it's about a toss up. Just do what you feel better at, because your going to have about an even breakdown between those who like getting attention, and those who just want you as a statue. I personally think the more friendly/talkative waitresses and bartenders get better tips, though.

[Skingirlsteady]

In between!! Seriously though, I've worked at a restaraunt for almost 20 years, and it's about a toss up. Just do what you feel better at, because your going to have about an even breakdown between those who like getting attention, and those who just want you as a statue. I personally think the more friendly/talkative waitresses and bartenders get better tips, though.

yeah i think the talkative ones usually kiss more ass and they end up giving them bigger tips cause the customers feel like they SHOULD give them better tips for being so attentive, but I like to give people their privacy and shit..

i personally fuckin hate it when waiters keep coming over and talking to me, just come over when i want you to. hahah

[PoundingNails]

In between!! Seriously though, I've worked at a restaraunt for almost 20 years, and it's about a toss up. Just do what you feel better at, because your going to have about an even breakdown between those who like getting attention, and those who just want you as a statue. I personally think the more friendly/talkative waitresses and bartenders get better tips, though.
I waited tables here for years, although because of excesive tattooage I don't anymore. Here you'll get way better tips if you sit at the table and talk about the people. Whatever, people like talking about themselves. Most everyone here is on vacation though so it may be different someplace else.

[SouthSide Eric]

yeah i think the talkative ones usually kiss more ass and they end up giving them bigger tips cause the customers feel like they SHOULD give them better tips for being so attentive, but I like to give people their privacy and shit..

i personally fuckin hate it when waiters keep coming over and talking to me, just come over when i want you to. hahah

I don't even mean the ass kissers, I mean the friendly ones. Talkative and friendly without going over the top and being annoying/fake. Though the ass-kissers usually get the most money. One thing that's ironic, is that for the most part, the rich fuckers tip bad. The best tippers, though, are usually the loud obnoxious Rodney Dangerfield(from Caddyshack) type rich fuckers!

[Chicago Red]

I just started as a back waitress (the one who takes care of all the wines, drinks and dessert) at an Italian restaurant called Ciao Baby. The managers drill into our heads about how we need to chat up the customers, "get all up in their business", and basically tell them what they're gonna eat and drink and recommend/upgrade all sorts of shit. (i.e. if they want a martini, tell them we have grey goose instead of regular "house" vodka, etc)

HOWEVER...at 4 or 5-star hotel restaurants (such as the W Hotel or Trump) I've seen customers call the manager over and ask to have a differnet waiter because he talked to them too much.

Just out of curiosity what do you people like,

the waiter that chats you up, makes small talk recommends drinks, or the waiter that just does the job, doenst' really talk and leaves the table ASAP?


Depends....what does the waitress have to wear at this job?

[SouthSide Eric]

I waited tables here for years, although because of excesive tattooage I don't anymore. Here you'll get way better tips if you sit at the table and talk about the people. Whatever, people like talking about themselves. Most everyone here is on vacation though so it may be different someplace else.

Like I said, here it depends. I'd say about half the people want you to linger, while the other half want you to serve in slience. I'm ok though, since I haven't worked inside the restaraunt in over a decade. It's all about parking the cars(which is so much better than my janitor job...)!

[siobahn]

you just gotta play it by ear. if i was sure about what i wanted i would be thinking "get the fuck out of here already", whereas if i was kind of undecided i wouldn't mind a few suggestions. privacy is good, i want to have a conversation with my fellow guests, not the waiter.

but yeah, one thing that really annoys me is when the waiter/waitress comes over half a dozen times to ask if "everything is alright".. if everything wasn't alright i'd be signalling you, shithead.

[Billy Klubb]

the talkative waiter/waitress always seems more friendly and gets a bigger tip. they usually bring coffee with them or ask if they can refill you drink. it's irritating trying to flag someone down when you want a refill. and recommendations are always good.

[PoundingNails]

Like I said, here it depends. I'd say about half the people want you to linger, while the other half want you to serve in slience. I'm ok though, since I haven't worked inside the restaraunt in over a decade. It's all about parking the cars(which is so much better than my janitor job...)!
Yeah now that I think about it it's the same here. You have to read the people.

[SouthSide Eric]

Yeah now that I think about it it's the same here. You have to read the people.
That's it right on the nose. Have to know how to read the people(though, then you'll get some big ass party with mixed types! You can't win.:cool:).

[Skingirlsteady]

Depends....what does the waitress have to wear at this job?

we wear potato sacks

[Billy Klubb]

we wear potato sacksyou're in Idaho?

[Skingirlsteady]

you're in Idaho?

no, long island and/or Durham, NC.

and we really wear black pants, black long sleeve button down, black tie, black shoes. yeah we look real sexy i know

[Dutch Raven]

Depends on the waiter. The thing I hate most are waiters in a bad mood or waiters that think to high of themselves and that you're low-life scum.

[Diana E]

Make sure to ask how everything is when their mouths are full of food. People instinctivly will just nod yes or give you a thumbs up so they can chew their fuckin food in peace. All the smart waiters/esses do that.

And make sure to act like you're completely blind even though your customer is holding up their empty drink glass clinging it like a goddamn dinner bell.


Just be your usual nice, kind, sweet, non-sarcastic self. Bring a cell phone to work with you, take pics, photoshop them with ridiculous smiley faces and post them here.

[SouthSide Eric]

Make sure to ask how everything is when their mouths are full of food. People instinctivly will just nod yes or give you a thumbs up so they can chew their fuckin food in peace. All the smart waiters/esses do that.

And make sure to act like you're completely blind even though your customer is holding up their empty drink glass clinging it like a goddamn dinner bell.


Just be your usual nice, kind, sweet, non-sarcastic self. Bring a cell phone to work with you, take pics, photoshop them with ridiculous smiley faces and post them here.

Don't forget to take samples of their meals. To make sure that it's edible for them...

[PoundingNails]

Haha, anyone see Waiting? Good shit.

[bethany]

I just started as a back waitress (the one who takes care of all the wines, drinks and dessert) at an Italian restaurant called Ciao Baby. The managers drill into our heads about how we need to chat up the customers, "get all up in their business", and basically tell them what they're gonna eat and drink and recommend/upgrade all sorts of shit. (i.e. if they want a martini, tell them we have grey goose instead of regular "house" vodka, etc)

HOWEVER...at 4 or 5-star hotel restaurants (such as the W Hotel or Trump) I've seen customers call the manager over and ask to have a differnet waiter because he talked to them too much.

Just out of curiosity what do you people like,

the waiter that chats you up, makes small talk recommends drinks, or the waiter that just does the job, doenst' really talk and leaves the table ASAP?


i leave horrible tips for people who bother me during dinner. i like someone who fills my drink when it's empty and who chats as little as possible. but i'm pretty antisocial.

[Slick_Rik_Van_Howle]

Well, at the diner I frequent if I can get my coffee sans cigarette butt/lipstick stain/tooth and keep from "Midge" the anchor tattooed senior waitress from calling me a cunt I'm happy.

But on income tax refund day when we go for a real meal, not eggs ala burnt, I like suggestions of food and beverages since my palate consists of curry, steak and vodka. Makes a rather fine broth I might add.

...why the fuck do I keep going to that diner? I know the food and service are lousy.

[RuneDK]

I like my waiters/waitresses to shut up, take my order and bring me my steak fast. I don't tip, cause we don't do that around here. We give people a decent paycheck instead so it evens out.

Haha, anyone see Waiting? Good shit.

Never fuck with the people that serve you food!

[Pride and Loyalty]

I like the wait staff to be pretty business-like. Not too much talking, asking how things are, etc.

The kind of crap that impresses me is like when you have like one gulp left of drink and they are already bringing you another before you can set the drink down and look around. Then you know they are on their game. Very stream lined/efficient makes me want to tip well.

[Skingirlsteady]

I like the wait staff to be pretty business-like. Not too much talking, asking how things are, etc.

The kind of crap that impresses me is like when you have like one gulp left of drink and they are already bringing you another before you can set the drink down and look around. Then you know they are on their game. Very stream lined/efficient makes me want to tip well.

streamlined? Like a streamlined modern train?
hahaha just fucking with ya


DIANA E, you're just trying to get me fired you bitch!!

Thanks to everyone who gave SERIOUS input, jeremythejew, you're a dirty fuckin man.

[steeltoed_prick]

I like the wait staff to be pretty business-like. Not too much talking, asking how things are, etc.

The kind of crap that impresses me is like when you have like one gulp left of drink and they are already bringing you another before you can set the drink down and look around. Then you know they are on their game. Very stream lined/efficient makes me want to tip well.

Yep, that's right.......I don't want to jabber about nothing with a stranger but I'm the happiest guy in the world if I don't run out of fucking Coke. Nothing is worse than taking a bite, reaching for your glass, and finding it empty......I've actually went up and refilled them myself a few times, and made sure to leave a 2 cent tip just to be a dick.

[Pride and Loyalty]

streamlined? Like a streamlined modern train?

they get bonus tip money if they are wearing a wet suit and bathing cap.

[Skingirlsteady]

they get bonus tip money if they are wearing a wet suit and bathing cap.

Hahahaha...whatever floats your boat...personally i prefer not to wear something that is as constricting as a wet suit, im more of a bikini gal but the bathing cap is a good idea...ill see if i get more tip with the cap on.

[mikeyoi]

Go check out bitterwaitress.com.There's tons of funny stuff there.
i

[Tokyohoon]

BTW, you can still do the upsells without getting in their face.

They ask for a vodka martini, you respond, "Would you like that made with Grey Goose or Finlandia?" Give 'em a smile and see how few of them ask for the well vodka after that. The trick to a good upsell is always to offer a choice between two premiums and never mention the cheap option at all - but if the customer responds with "Do you just have regular vodka?" Give him a smile, a "yes sir" and and don'T treat him like a cheapskate. Remember that at the end of the night he'll have more money let to tip ya!

[PUNISHER]

I just started as a back waitress (the one who takes care of all the wines, drinks and dessert) at an Italian restaurant called Ciao Baby. The managers drill into our heads about how we need to chat up the customers, "get all up in their business", and basically tell them what they're gonna eat and drink and recommend/upgrade all sorts of shit. (i.e. if they want a martini, tell them we have grey goose instead of regular "house" vodka, etc)

HOWEVER...at 4 or 5-star hotel restaurants (such as the W Hotel or Trump) I've seen customers call the manager over and ask to have a differnet waiter because he talked to them too much.

Just out of curiosity what do you people like,

the waiter that chats you up, makes small talk recommends drinks, or the waiter that just does the job, doenst' really talk and leaves the table ASAP?
Some people like the chatty type but i just like to be left alone. I especially hate it when I'm shopping and someone asks if i need help. Wtf would I need help with? If I need help I'll ask.

I think it's mostly old ladies who like that kind of shit. So chirp at them the most.

[LastRites]

They gotta be friendly and joke around a bit. None of this serious shit. I want to eat or drink relaxed not pissed off.

[Skingirlsteady]

They gotta be friendly and joke around a bit. None of this serious shit. I want to eat or drink relaxed not pissed off.

HAhahahah the most surprising answer of all the answers...


By the way, what if the waiter is...say, NOT WHITE? HAHAHHAHA

[Chicago Red]

we wear potato sacks

Above or below the knee? that kind of shit matters to me...

[Pride and Loyalty]

I especially hate it when I'm shopping and someone asks if i need help. Wtf would I need help with? If I need help I'll ask.

This is so true! I hate that shit more than anything. Unless you see me holding a shirt at the dressing room not able to get in or looking around specifically for help, I do not need your freakin help. I have been known to leave a store if too many sales associates ask me this. Leave me buy crap in peace!

[Pride and Loyalty]

By the way, what if the waiter is...say, NOT WHITE? HAHAHHAHA

Most waiters/waitresses are white. (I wonder if that's really true...)