Waiting Tables

[ladypanther]

Keep the drinks filled.  If a waiter never lets me run out of tea, or if I am not waiting on them to come back to get me another drink I am happy.

 

Good luck   Hope you make a lot of money.  Keep us posted about how it is going.

[CarolinaNCSU]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

Sadly however, the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol. Big time Christian family run business, and although the county is no longer dry, it won't serve alcohol until the son (my friend) takes it over in a few years.

 

My friend has also banged/dated nearly every decent looking waitress the place has ever had, but there is a new cute hostess...who turns 18 in December. LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN. 

[Floppin]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

Sadly however, the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol. Big time Christian family run business, and although the county is no longer dry, it won't serve alcohol until the son (my friend) takes it over in a few years.

 

My friend has also banged/dated nearly every decent looking waitress the place has ever had, but there is a new cute hostess...who turns 18 in December. LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN. 

 

It's NC, my friend. You're good at 16. 

[CarolinaNCSU]

I'm 22.  I thought it was 4 years after 16 or something like that?

[Floppin]

I'm 22.  I thought it was 4 years after 16 or something like that?

 

Umm actually no.

[Floppin]

There's a "close in age exception" but it's only when someone is under the age of 16 and it's a three year maximum gap. Meaning, if a 15 year old and an 18 year old fug it's ok. (well sorta as the allowable gap is 3 years and under but you get my drift.)

[pantherclaw]

I don't want to want.

Keep my drinks filled, be polite, entertaining, but not annoying. Keep me informed of any issues in the kitchen.

Do that, and you'll get at least 30% from me.

[Chimera]

I waited tables for ~3-5ish months about 13 years ago. Tips are great, but the general public will always find a way to get under your skin. Learning how to deal with that appropriately will be key.

-you will hear the same jokes over and over.

-you will be asked the same questions over and over.

-you will have one person taking 90% of your time at the busiest part of the day.

-you will have to butter up the kitchen staff as well; they can create situations that are just plain embarrassing to you (but not if they like you)

[Zcustom]

Don't smoke weed in the office after closing, srsly

 

all other advice here is great, but I'll add one more.

 

an empty cup at the edge of the table is a polite way of asking for a refill, if you see that act quickly since the diner is probably already thirsty

[thefuzz]

do not stare directly at your female customer's breasts for prolonged periods of time

when you can, always give the bill to the guys...after years in the biz, my wife says 98% of the time, guys tip larger than girls.

SEXIST!

[Mrs Pantherfan]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

Sadly however, the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol. Big time Christian family run business, and although the county is no longer dry, it won't serve alcohol until the son (my friend) takes it over in a few years.

 

My friend has also banged/dated nearly every decent looking waitress the place has ever had, but there is a new cute hostess...who turns 18 in December. LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN. 

 

Find a restaurant that serves alcohol...seriously...run...and run fast...you're not going to make poo for tips...and you'll have more fun. One of the best times at a job I've ever had was in my early 20's  at a sports bar for a year and a half..lots of good times during work and after work..way too many after work...but that's a whole 'nother thread :)

 

Go to a sports bar! you get to make money and keep an eye on games :)

 

[CarolinaNCSU]

Find a restaurant that serves alcohol...seriously...run...and run fast...you're not going to make poo for tips...and you'll have more fun. One of the best times at a job I've ever had was in my early 20's  at a sports bar for a year and a half..lots of good times during work and after work..way too many after work...but that's a whole 'nother thread :)

 

Go to a sports bar! you get to make money and keep an eye on games :)

 

 

Trust me if I were pursuing this as a full-time job, I would.  But I've never had any experience, I'm helping out a family I'm great friends with, and I'm mostly just taking this to get some experience/have something to do some nights.

 

While I'd prefer they sell alchohol, the wait staff usually makes 75-125 a night anyway, so I'm not complaining.

[thefuzz]

Trust me if I were pursuing this as a full-time job, I would.  But I've never had any experience, I'm helping out a family I'm great friends with, and I'm mostly just taking this to get some experience/have something to do some nights.

 

While I'd prefer they sell alchohol, the wait staff usually makes 75-125 a night anyway, so I'm not complaining.

 

I'm going to repeat what MPF said.

 

For real, you don't need experience to wait tables.

 

Go to a place that serves alcohol, it's a whole new world.

[CarolinaNCSU]

I'm going to repeat what MPF said.

 

For real, you don't need experience to wait tables.

 

Go to a place that serves alcohol, it's a whole new world.

 

Yeah it's a possibility if/when I move back to Raleigh or somewhere, but this is the only steakhouse/decent place to eat in my town.  Everywhere else is 30+ minutes away.