How to Get Service at Restaurants

There is an art to getting good customer service. Having a competent waiter or waitress may be the luck of the draw, but even a mediocre server can provide outstanding service with the right motivation. Using a little finesse, you can get great service almost every time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Smile. People do not smile anymore. They look bored or angry or both. Look your server right in the eye and smile with a bright, genuine smile. Genuine, because his or her presence means you are about to enjoy a meal--which is preferable to waiting in line at the door.
2. Be polite. The public sometimes treats people rudely in service professions. Stand out from the crowd by treating your wait staff with common courtesy. Say 'please' when you order, and thank you. A polite 'excuse me' to gain attention works wonders compared to an across-the-room 'HEY!' Simple manners are one of the key ingredients to obtaining great restaurant service.
3. Be respectful. Diners often treat wait staff as lower class citizens. This is the wrong approach, since service does not improve with condescension. Think of your waiter as an important person whose expertise you seek. Bearing this in mind favorably affects the way you speak to your waiter. Respect goes a long way in motivating good service.
4. Remember to empathize. Your waiter has been standing for several hours and has endured sore feet, rude people and a hot kitchen. This person looks forward to the end of the shift. Make a comment that shows you empathize. "Wow! You guys are really hustling today. I hope things calm down for you," or "Gosh my back would hurt in this job. How do you do it?" This small nod to his feelings shows you see him as an equal, rather than a servant.
5. Subdue your children. It is your server's job to provide you with good service not be your babysitter. Clean up any messes your kids create, and require they keep their voices down. Teach your children to be respectful in restaurants, or leave them at home.
6. Use a little bit of charm. There is no need for syrupy-sweet overkill, just a little twinkle. If your server gets the whole table's orders right without writing anything down, compliment that amazing memory. If she anticipates the need for extra napkins, thank her with a smile. If she has pretty earrings, say so. Find at least one thing you can genuinely praise. It is not a difficult task, but many of us have forgotten how to give compliments. Your waitress will appreciate receiving one.
7. Tip well. Most hourly wait staff earn less than minimum wage. Their livelihood depends upon tips, and give the 'standard 15 percent' for mediocre service. Tip good service 20 percent, and exceptional service much more. Odds are you will be back and servers remember good tippers!