I’ve been in the service industry for over a decade. I’ve made all the rookie mistakes. There are so many things I wish I’d known before getting into the industry. Like with anything in life, hindsight is 20/20. Here are some of my biggest take aways from a decade waiting tables, I have, unfortunately done all these things …trust me, your life will be 1000% better if you follow this list:

 

1.    Never go out drinking with you manager/owner: Seriously, don’t do it. I know I am a hypocrite, but I promise you, it only leads to problems.

2.    Never sleep with your manager/owner/co-workers: See above.

3.    Limit yourself to a two-drink maximum especially on work nights: Being hungover is tragic and such a waste of time. You don’t have to rage every single night. Drink like an adult and limit yourself.

4.    Don’t gossip: So many things get lost in translation and it never turns out well. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to someone’s face.

5.    Show your value by how hard you work, not by saying how you could “do it better.”: Work hard and show your co-workers, managers, etc. that you are a powerhouse server. Talking about how things “should” be done is amateur behavior.

6.    Stop thinking the grass is always greener at another restaurant: unless you work at a fast casual restaurant and want to move to fine dining, the money is going to be about the same and a new restaurant means learning new menus and learning their problems. Grow where you are planted unless it is a toxic work environment.

7.    Slow down to speed up during service, you don’t have to run around like a chicken with its head cut off to be effective: you can take care of a lot of guests effectively by staying calm. Take deep breaths and focus.

8.    Keep your mouth shut about your co-workers’ abilities: Focus on your own abilities.

9.    Never be too familiar with guests: Never, ever, ever. You never really know what is going on in their lives.

10. Never assume anything about your guests: See above.

11. Don’t wear your emotions on your face: I’ve struggled with this, always keep a smile or at least a pleasant look on your face.

12. Never go to work with a wrinkled shirt: duh.

13. Learn how to cut a cake properly, and if you don’t know how to do it, get someone who does to do it: there is nothing worse than ruining a guest’s birthday by hacking away at their cake and bringing out mangled pieces.

14. When waiting on a party of women, keep everything on the ticket separate, down to a side of dressing (I know I said never assume anything, but women will always split the bill…always. I’ve never once in the ten years I’ve been waiting tables had a group of women where one woman picked up the tab. Never.)

15. Don’t bring a huge/expensive bag to work with you. (unless you are breastfeeding and need a lot of snacks and a breast pump): you don’t need a lot of stuff. Eat before you go to work, don’t bring extra clothes, don’t take up a bunch of space in the area for personal belongings.

16. Do not over caffeinate before your shift: know your limits to avoid that cracked out feeling that we all know and hate.

17. If you have a more formal uniform, get it dry cleaned: just do it, it looks so much better.

18. Get shoe inserts to support your feet: game changer.

19. Never take shots at work (I’ve actually never done this, but I can promise you it never ends well).

20. Don’t take stimulants if they are not prescribed to you. Just don’t do it, you look cracked out and the guest can always tell.

21. Do not touch guests (I don’t do that ever, but I have worked with people who do, and it is so cringe)

22. Get enough sleep, like an obnoxious amount of sleep.

23. Always look guests in the eye and always make eye contact with the women first. The women are running the show no matter what, always make eye contact with them because they want to feel in control. I promise, it’s a real thing.

24. If someone is ordering for someone else (a man ordering for his wife) let them, and do not comment on it, while it may be stupid to you, there may be a real reason why and it’s really none of your business to question it.

25. Always ask about allergies even if your restaurant doesn’t require you to (I fed a kosher man bacon once. I felt so bad, I’m still not over it.)

26. If your guests are emotional, let them be and give them space. People dine out for all different reasons and a lot of times its after something terrible has happened. Respect people’s emotions. If someone is crying in a restaurant, you know it’s bad so just give them space.

27. You are not unique, if someone is promising you the world, most of the time they do not have the authority to do so. Do not fall prey to superiors who talk a lot and say nothing.

28. Do not talk about your future with the company with anyone except the hiring manager, in private, while sober.

29. Do not give away your shifts: it’s just not a good look.

30. Work doubles.

31. Do great side work and don’t leave until you know it’s perfect: good side work is directly correlated to how much of an asset you are to the team.

32. Never complain about money with your co-workers, on the floor or at work in general. If you are concerned about money, schedule a private meeting with you manager.

33. Treat every element of a guest’s meal with importance.

34. If you make a mistake, let a manager know immediately and take full responsibility for your actions. Never blame someone else.

35. Get to work at least 15 minutes early.

36. Always run food.

37. Compliment you co-workers when you notice them doing a good job.

38. Do not sacrifice service to reach a certain seat or sales amount.

39. Always eat before your shift.

40. Always keep N/A beverages full.

A DECADE IN THE INDUSTRY

A DECADE IN THE INDUSTRY