What kind of server do you like?

I'm a waitress/server and i was just wondering what type of server do people like. i work at a resturant where we are extremely service oriented so it is normal for me to talk to a table about all of our specials and promotions we are running. I just want to know if your the type of person that wants your server to leave you alone or you dont mind chatting with them?

I don't like the 'clingy' waiters that are there all the time but for sure come a few times during the course of the time and see if we are OK just not evey five minutes like some.

Depends on my mood. If I look up and smile at them and hold eye contact - I am in the mood to talk. If however, I look at my menu and not at you - sorry, but I have been having a not so good day, please give me space!

I like servers who are not hovering but don't disappear altogether. I also like servers to bring a spoon with my coffee so I don't have to use my fork to stir my coffee (happened to me today).

I normally don't mind a small chat occasionally.

Originally Posted by amanda8501

I'm a waitress/server and i was just wondering what type of server do people like. i work at a resturant where we are extremely service oriented so it is normal for me to talk to a table about all of our specials and promotions we are running. I just want to know if your the type of person that wants your server to leave you alone or you dont mind chatting with them?

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I like them to leave me alone, but keep an eye on me and know when I need a refill or the check!

I agree...a check-in with me a few times is always good. It kind of irritates me when they just bring the check, and not ask if I want dessert or anything else....I usually don't, but its nice for them to check before handing you the bill. Its also unprofessional to be standing around chit-chatting (not work related)with the other wait staff when I can hear their entire conversations .

I like a server who is able to pick up the subtle signals about how friendly I and my companion(s) want to be. For the most part, friendly but not forward is the best policy. If I'm alone and my "companion" is a book, I'm not interested in chatter. If it's just me and my sweetie, and we're looking into each other's eyes, I'm not interested in chatter. But there are lots of times when a little kibbitzing is just fine, and it's a good server who can tell the difference.

I'd like to know about the specials. I'd like my server to check shortly after our meals arrive that everything is OK -- not while my mouth is full and I can't speak, though. I'd like her/him to have an eye in our direction in case there's something we want. I'd like dishes cleared soon after we finish with them, without whipping them out from under our noses before we've finished chewing. I'd like to be offered dessert/coffee etc, before we're presented with the bill. I'd like the handling of the bill to be efficient -- nothing, and I mean NOTHING, irritates me more than to stop receiving attention the moment I'm not ordering anything more -- want a quick route to a lousy tip? that's it at my table.

Hope that's useful.

I like servers who are being themselves while serving. If their smile and manner is genuine rather than phony I will like them. If a guy is serving me and calls me "bud" or "buddy" he's really paid his disrespect in spades. I don't like that.

We went out tonight and had great service! We have never had bad service there. It is obvious they really pride themselves on service. We have had a few servers who have bordered on phony, but that's rare.

They usually ask if you have been to the restaurant before. If yo say no, they tell you a little about the restaurant )everything is made fresh every day, etc.) If you say yes, they welcome you back.

When bringing drinks they always ask if you have any questions about any items on the menu. They do check in a few times, but it doesn't feel like hovering. This particular waiting told us of a dish that's not on the menu, but can always be ordered in case we are interested next time - my husband and I both ordered something similar to the dish.

He offered a little conversation that also told us a little about himself.

Also - when you are speaking to your tables - so not use the same "lines" on everyone. You can hear what you server is saying to others.

Seat me, take my order, refill my glass as needed, leave me alone. That gets a good tip from me every time.

When I first read the subject line, I thought, "I dunno ... Windows XP Server Edition?"

We're pretty easy-going. You want to chat a bit? That's fine with us and feels like better service, actually. I love it when servers ask if I have questions about anything on the menu.

But if you don't do much talking, that's okay too—you're probably really busy—as long as you keep our drinks full, take the orders in a reasonable amount of time, check back occasionally, etc.

We're really easy customers , but I agree that nothing, but nothing irritates me more to finish with my meal and then have to wait a*g*e*s on the check, and the tip has more than one time reflected this. We always give a 20-25% tip (unless the meal is really expensive, but we very rarely go to places like that) but if I have to wait an unreasonable amount of time it starts dropping!

I don't like clingy servers either, mainly I want them to sort of keep an eye on us and see if our glasses need refilling, or ask us if we want another beer if we're getting toward the bottom of the glass (we usually get draft, it's a rare treat.) Coming back shortly after being served asking if "Everything okay?" is good, as sometimes it has occurred to me that I need some sour cream (mexican) or something else.

I just wanted to say that I admire anyone who can do this job, it's one I never even considered as I know I couldn't do it!

Ok hubby and I eat out a bit more than most. We go to this one restaurant where they have great food for breakfast. There is one older waitress that just cracks us up because she is always calling us Dear, and Sweetie, it drives me nuts! She talks down to us everytime we order, like we are 6 years old. In that same establishment there is a very attentive waiter. He makes sure that our drink glasses are always full, he doesn't hover, he just appears. He doesn't engage us in conversation (like this other one does) and if there is a problem he solves it quickly with no fuss. We are quite impressed with him and always tip him over the norm.

YEsturday I was dining alone( i like too ) and had a magazine to keep me company... the waitress nearly sat doen wtih me... I was in shock.... she did keep my tea full though

I agree with Fran's thoughts on the matter.
Also to add, I was a server for years, and know it's hard work, although it can also be fun and definitely great money. I believe you must get the feel of each table and act accordingly while being yourself in a friendly manner. For some, to just be professional, others, to get at eye level for more friendly behavior, but always knowledgable and courteous. If a guest engaged me in conversation, I would talk, but if they seemed to just want prompt efficient service, then that would be most appropriate.
I sometimes enjoy going out with myself and a book for coffee, in fact, this is rather a treat for me. It would only bug me if my server lingered for conversation. Also, they should never think just because their guest is getting only one item that I won't tip well. I will tip my server huge if they will keep my cup full. Each guest should be treated as if they are the most dignified, elegant individual and be made to feel as if they are your top priority.

I like servers who are just being their selves and not trying to be super nice (I can tell fake-nice a mile away, and I hate it) to get a bigger tip. I don't like it when servers act like they hate their job either. One time a server sat down at our table when we were ordering and I didn't like it. I mean, I was with my friends and it made us all uncomfortable having a stranger invite himself to sit down, and then we felt obligated to make HIM feel comfortable when he came around, so we'd stop talking and stuff. Bottom line is, servers shouldn't interrupt the flow of the table, but be someone I don't mind talking to when I need to. I think it should feel like we're at home with a server, not like we are at the server's home as guests.

Oh, and the one that took a seat was um...his deoderant wasn't working well.

Of course, I don't really care as long as they're nice and do their job, but in an ideal world, they would be like I described above.

I like to know the specials, but don't usually want to have a long conversation with the wait staff. I love when it feels like they just "know" when I need something...filling the drinks, taking away the empty plates, asking if I have everything. I usually tip pretty well, because I think wait staff are underpaid, but will cut it down to 10% if they ignore me.

What I hate most is waiting a long time for the food or between courses. If there is a way you can stop by and let me know the cook is working on it, that helps a lot.

I like waiter staff to be friendly.....chatting is ok too. I just dislike it when I know that they aren't geniune.

Oh I love to have a server close by at a nice restaurant. I had someone excellent last Monday when we went out. He was there cleaning off the crumbs, taking plates and delivering new forks, etc as soon as we were ready. He was young, but acted like he had done this for years. Didn't miss a beat. I wrote the company to tell them about how excellent he was

All of this reminded me of a place I once went to.....Ed Debevic's (most locations in the Chicago area). I believe their motto is "Eat out, and get out". Their service was intentionally rude! The few times I went, there always seemed to be someone who didn't exspect such service. The last time I went there was a waiter with an Ace Ventura hairdo. When the lady asked for a glass of water, he told her to get it herself and pointed and told her to get it from lake Michigan! LOL He was also banging around pots and pans. Our waitress put her foot on an empty chair at our table, snapped her gum, and took our order on a paper napkin on her knee!!!

Although, I have been to places where that type of service wasn't expected. My ex and I went out to eat at a chain restaurant. We asked for a certain appetizer, and our waiter told us they were out of it, so we skipped the appetizer. There were two guys who sat down at the table next to us. They ordered a different appetizer, and were quite fumed when the waiter told them they didn't have it. One of the guys was fumed because he said they came there mainly for that. My ex and I thought "Gee, they need to keep their appetizers in stock better". The manager came over to their table and explained that they were in fact out of the appetizer they wanted, but she could get them someting else....and guess what they decided on? The appetizer that we wanted that the WAITER said they didn't have. We were furious!!! He also never refilled our drinks, and actually the cook brought us our food since our waiter seemed to be more concerned with sitting and chit chatting at a table with teenagers (who he just met).

My ex wasn't going to tip him at all, but I convinced him to leave him a penny because he could just say we forgot. We also left a comment card that stated what we thought of the service!!!