Top Of The Table

K-Lee

Aug. 12, 2001

Pleasant Experience

In the server's world we often come in contact with customers we wish we'd never met. More often than not, we think our diners are spicier than our hot sauce, a few margaritas short of a good attitude, or fresh out of the basement to dine in public for the first time. Let me ask you a question though.
Do you have any patrons that you are happy to see?

Now I am not talking about those fat tippers that bring a smile to your greedy little face. I am talking about the guest who is pleasant, never has a complaint or says a cross word. The diner who walks in and although may only be an average tipper, you are happy when they sit in your section. Perhaps it is not even that regular that you've come to know, but a new person to your section that turned out to be a breeze to help, a pleasant experience, and was more this side of human than that side of asshole?

Well, friends, as much as we tire of those jerkies that roll in from who knows where to reek havoc on our pleasant little worlds, finding the first problem they can bring to our manager's attention in hopes of a free meal, do we ever thank those kind souls who come in with a smile for us? Are we ever grateful enough for the folks that exchange pleasantries in a conversational manner rather than because it is expected? Do you have patrons who sincerely wonder how you are, how the wife is, how old your kids are now, or if your vacation was good? Have you ever let them know how nice it is to wait on them? As much as we tire of the scales tipping more to the side of complaints than to compliments from our diners, they surely tire of our sometimes short, curt, and even abrupt tableside manner.

Try to work a shift making only positive comments about your guests. It will be difficult at first, as we are so conditioned to bitch about poor tips and high maintenance females, but once you get in the swing of seeking positive attributes rather than fault, I wonder if our tips might increase. This is not to be confused with the already polite manner with which you serve your customers. It has more to do with genuine warmth, sincere, positive energy given off by you immediately and received by your diners. Of course there are those ugly people that no matter what type of vibe you send them, they are set on having a grim outlook. Yes, they unnerve us, but isn't it nice when that familiar face comes in and you already know what beverage to bring them and what their dining pattern is? Shouldn't that dessert they never order be your special treat to thank them for coming in and always being kind. I'll just bet the cost of that dessert to you will surely be made up in the tip left.

One good turn deserves another.