10 Ways to Double your Tips
By clinical definition, gratuities (tips) are “a reward provided without obligation.” Many servers seem to forget the 'without obligation', while many customers seem to forget the 'reward'. Yet, in spite of this, there are several proven ways to increase how much you take home every shift.
1. Do not believe that you 'deserve' a tip. There are plenty of people in the world who can greet tables, take orders, run food and process payments. You do not automatically recieve 15% just for showing up. The people who make good money genuinely improve a dining experience, rather than just make it possible
2. Check your problems at the door. You are playing a character when you are at work. This means that, even if you are in a rotten mood or hungover or just broke up with your girlfriend/boyfriend, you should be clean, professional and cheerful as soon as you hit the floor and start interacting with guests.
Don't take anything personally. People can be in bad moods for any number of reasons, and just by the very nature of serving, you are a very convenient punching bag. Stay mature and professional, and deal with problems in a non-confrontational way.
3. Establish a connection. Use eye contact (the most intimate form of polite interaction). Tell them your name. When appropriate, use physical contact. Any trick you have to make it known that you're not a robot, and you don't regard them as a dollar bill will improve their dining experience. If it's a regular, greet them by name and remember their orders/preferences.
4. Sell, and sell well. Try and increase the dollar value of every table's bill, but don't be unscrupulous. Pressuring your guests to order a third drink if they're planning on driving home is not going to make you any friends. Sell to each guest individually, based on things that you know will make them happy.
5. Be attentive. If you can see and anticipate a guest's need before they do, you will surprise and impress them. Dining out tends to be a very social experience. By making sure your guests have everything they need, you ensure that they can focus on their food and friends. Good food, good service and good company will cheer even the most rotten of people.
6. Be observant. If you overhear a guest talking about something you have in common, bring it up the next time you're at that table. Eavesdropping is one of the best skills a server can have. It allows you to judge how a table is feeling, what they need, opportunities to sell.
7. Know your menu. If you are a confident server, one who can easily recommend food items and answer questions without getting help, then your guests will trust you. If your guests trust you, they will be more relaxed leaving them more time to socialize and enjoy their meals.
8. Be a team player. This is such an overused cliche, but the team is so important to a server. Clear other tables, refill drinks, quality check for other servers. If you can maintain a good relationship with your co-workers, you can begin to count on them to do favors for you.
While we're wearing our rose coloured glasses, communicate! If you need help, ask for it. This goes right back to the second point. If you are too busy to keep up with all your tables or if there is a crisis that is taking up a lot of your time, find a server who has a spare second, and make sure all of your guests are happy.
9. Use humor to defuse stress. This is a tricky one to get right, so if you're not confident, play it safe. But if there is an argument at your table, or you have made a mistake, humor is one of the best ways to get past it and make sure your guests are still enjoying themselves.
Try your best not to get pesonally involved in anything, and always remember to apoligze when it's necessary. Afterwards, a well timed joke can relieve so much stress that even tables that seemed like a lost cause may leave you a decent tip.
10. Learn to read people. Talk to talkative tables, and be attentive but discreet with everyone else. Forcing yourself on shy tables and ignoring chatty ones is a surefire way to ruin someone's evening.
11. Have an eye for detail. This may go unnoticed by most, but the people who do notice make the effort worth it. Keep drinks full so that the guest never hears that awful slurping noise as he or she gets down to the bottom of the glass. Repeat orders back once they've been placed to ensure accuracy. Compliment your guests (appropriately). If a meal is only half-eaten, check if something was wrong with it. Write 'Thank you' on the bill.
These may all seem like common sense suggestions, but they are extremely effective. They are all also very easy to forget, so it is vital that you constantly practice them. Use them to create your own unique and unforgettable style of serving, and you will see an increase in the tips you make, as well as an increase in repeat customers. You will find yourself making more money, enjoying your job, and, if you're good, improving your guests' day.
