DoubleYourTips.org

You can greatly increase your gratuity revenues by following these simple rules:

Never let their drinks go empty, especially for coffee, water, and iced tea drinkers. Never ever take a drink away to refill it. Bring a refill to them.

Never interrupt their conversation. Your time is never more important than theirs.

Never make them want you for more than five minutes, when they want your attention. Glance at them whenever you are near by, to see if they want you.

Yet, do not pester them constantly. They should never feel pressured, rushed, or interrupted by you. And especially avoid asking them repeatedly if they need anything, in a short period of time, then disappearing for an extended period of time. This is never helpful.

Your attentiveness should continue from the moment your guests sit until they leave. Sudden attentiveness at the very end will never make up for a lack of attention throughout their meal. However, ignoring them at the end, can ruin the good will you have acquired with good service through the rest of the meal.

Never rush or hurry when asking if they need anything. Never talk faster than normal or give any indication that they should be in a hurry because you are. They have every right to expect you to interact with them at their pace, while having a relaxed meal. Unless they are in a hurry, you are not in a hurry at their table. Never EVER blase past the table and quickly ask if they need anything in a manner where you are likely to be gone before they can even think to respond. This is stunningly rude, and deserving of a ZERO tip. And if you see them looking fixedly at you, NEVER ignore them.

This one is a pain in the ass, but it is the reality. There is a very rude new trend, of very low-class people to watch videos, without headphones, on their mobile devices in restaurants. It is incumbent upon you to ask them to stop. It is unfair that you should have to, but anything that annoying is going to reduce your tips, if you do not make an overt effort to end it. And it is certainly your prerogative to intervene when rude and inconsiderate behavior is taking place in your section.

Never argue with them. Always do anything you can to give them what they want. If you charge them extra for a sauce or something, that amount will very likely come out of your tip.

Never make excuses. Your guests are no more interested in your excuses than you would be in theirs, if they were unable to pay.

Especially important is the idea that your customers are your real employer. If you are doing a good job, you are making more money from tips than what your paycheck employer pays you. And if that employer hands you a bunch of rules that screw your customers, always remember that they are more easily replaced by you than your customers are. And you are more easily replaced by your customers than by the paycheck employer.

Never ask, "Is everything alright?" Have good, specific questions that show you are both paying attention and know what the hell you are doing.

Never EVER greet a single diner by asking, "Just one?" This is a rude and stupid question. Would you like it if they replied by asking, "Low IQ?"

danielc@danielc.com