Really really nervous about starting my waitressing job?
I was a waitress for 5 years at the same restaurant. There were days I loved it, loved the people, loved the money, loved the food, everything. Then there were days that I hated it. You only hear about planes that crash, remember. Being nervous is the one thing that will make it the hardest. You are being paid to provide FRIENDLY (not terrified) service. Practice carrying trays of dishes (start with tupperware, move on to plastic) so you wont drop anything after a little bit of practice. The fact that you are studying the menu now is wonderful! Get a family member to sit with you and order different meals, so you can practice asking how they'd like it cooked, what sides, etc. You'll catch on, and just be aware that everyone has a bad day at work; waitresses and bankers and CEO's alike. You'll figure out soon if it's the job for you or not.
I am starting a new waitressing job at a club?? So nervous, help!?
I have social anxiety, I am going to the doctor tomorrow, but I heard that med's take awhile to take affect. I get nervous in almost everything I do, this more then another job, but I need to grow outta this, please give me some useful tips how to get thro nerve racking situations. I am not a great waitress either, I am just starting, I want to be the best I can and I don't want to be so down on my skills!! Thanks!
I'm starting my waitress job tomorrow..?
Most likely they'll have you look over the menu and make sure you know about all of the items on the menu and all of the specialty items. Then you will most likely shadow an experienced server that will be serving tables and they will explain to the table that you are new and training. You will watch them and learn how to use whatever system they have to place orders and all that good stuff. After a day or two of shadowing then you will start serving tables and the person training you will shadow you to see if you need any help and to answer any questions you or your customers might have. Tip: You have to learn how to read your customers, this will come in time, but you should be able to tell which customers want you to just take their order and leave them alone. Other customers may want you to engage with them and joke around. If you joke around with a customer that just wants to be left alone you may not get as big of a tip as you would have if you just left him alone and vice versa
First Waiter job....tips/advice please
I actually have an anxiety disorder and am pretty socially stupid sometimes. I've also been serving and bartending for over 4 years. Even now I sometimes get butterflies in my stomach when I get my first customer(s) of the day. While this is really cliche I'm going to say it: above all, be yourself. Kill them with kindness, but don't let any customers turn you into their slave. Keep a smile on your face no matter what you're feeling inside, but also be honest with your customers- they'll really appreciate it. If someone asks you how the pulled pork sandwich is and you really hate them, tell them it's not that great, then suggest something that you think they may like and tell them it will rock their socks off. Make them smile and make them laugh. If they have children, cater to the children- parents love this. If something goes wrong or if you get one of those customers that just can't be satisfied (and trust me, you will have them!) do not let them belittle you. Keep your manager aware of how you're being treated; while your manager probably won't/can't do much about it, at least its out there, and he/she will likely go out and ask how things are going, making the customer feel like they're getting prime treatment. If the customer sees you crying or cowering they will think you're not cut out for the job (even though its not their business they DO provide part of your paycheck...) and will tip accordingly. Try to make every customer feel like they are your favorite, like you're letting them in on your secret. Some customers love when they feel like you come to their table as opposed to others because you like them so so so much. Most of all, have fun and work those tips!
Any advice for starting work as a waitress in a restaurant/bar?
A2AOh man. So much.I wish I knew a little about your background. How old you are, what type of restaurant you are to work in, what other jobs you’ve had, what other restaurant work you’ve done, etc.Learn everything you can about the menus. Knowing as much as you can about food and what the restaurant offers will help you with your guests. Learn about the cocktails/wine/beer you serve and what tastes like what. General stuff like, “Kolsch beer is light but earthy”, “Sauv Blanc is a dry white wine”. You’ll learn more as you eat and drink more. Which I highly recommend. Know what you like.Act like you’re almost on stage. Like everyone is watching you and everyone can hear you. You’ll become self-aware of any habits and how they come off to your guests. The object of acting is to entertain your audience…same thing goes for serving but stay genuine and authentic.Give a damn. That’s right. You need to care about your guests’ experience. They are not customers they are guests and they are your guests. This separates an order taker from a server. If you care, your guests will know it.Become a yes person. Don’t confuse this with “allow your guest to walk all over you”. Rather, know your restaurants’ policy on substitutions and know the boundaries of what you can offer your guest. This goes back to knowing everything about your menu. I always like to say, “I want to say yes, but let me check with the kitchen/bar/hostess”, especially if I don’t exactly know the answer. You’ll start learning what food is prepped during the day that you can’t alter. You’ll learn what you can alter. You’ll learn what you don’t want to alter. ETC.Thank your support staff. A lot. Give help when you have time and others will jump to help you when you’re in the weeds (busy AF).
I am starting as a waiter in a restaurant with no previous experience. What are some good sources or books I can read to get off to a good start?
If you want to understand how customer service could work, I'd recommend Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business: Danny Meyer: 9780060742768: Amazon.com: BooksHowever, if you want to learn to do good service, practice is infinitely more valuable in this industry than theory. I'd suggest you work somewhere enough to get your feet wet, to show you have some experience. And then try to get into as nice of a restaurant as you can. And I don't mean "nice" as in casual dining decorated all fancy with a little bit of star power (ie, not Moxie's, Cactus Club Cafe).Those places will really care enough about their customers to train you well; if you can learn good service there, you can work front of house anywhere.
I just got my first job as a waitress, and I'm really nervous?
I just got my first job, i'm 16 and its at a restaurant that is re-opening. Everyone in my town is happy that the owners decided to open it again. So its going to be REALLY busy on my first week. A lot of the people working there are 16 too. I just need tips and advice. How do I not get mixed up? How do I not get behind and have people waiting forever? Any other tips would be helpful.
New job, never been a waitress/hostess before, any first time advice?
I'm starting my training tomorrow at a local,small town cafe. I've had other jobs before and have been working at a pharmacy for three years. I am usually really good with people and have no problem trying to talk to them. However, I've never worked in a restaraunt before and I was wondering if anyone has any advice for a new comer? My manager told me that I will start off as a hostess and eventually move to waitress but I'm worried about things like figuring out bills (since I'm not real great at math) and I also wondered if anyone has any clever tips for remembering what customer ordered what item off the menu. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you in advance! :D