What is a Server by L. A. Keller

What is a server

Generally, my character Jayne posts her local restaurant reviews, but I decided to usurp her and review the tips and tricks to getting the best service from your server. I broke this post into more than one part when I realized there is so much to review.

I'll start with my qualifications. I worked as a server or bartender at establishments which varied from fine dining to cowboy saloon. I opened three new restaurants in the Valley of the Sun and waited on everyone from well-known celebrities (yes, I did wait on Tom Selleck and he is as handsome as you think he is) to first time diners. I've made every kind of cocktail and I have tasted hundreds of wines.  I earned my living exclusively in the restaurant business, so I know how hard servers, bartenders, and bussers work.

In most States, servers are considered semi-independent contractors. By that I mean, they earn an hourly wage but because their income is supplemented by tips the wage is very low. Often they do not have health insurance or benefits of any kind.  Paid vacation or sick leave are unheard of. Many servers never receive an actual paycheck because their wages are used to pay their federal, state and local income taxes. As a rule, a bartender makes a higher wage although I can't say their work requires more knowledge or expertise than a server.

I found this on payscale.com which made me laugh because I've never met a server whose base is this high. Of course, the maximum may be true in larger cities such as New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles.

Payscale.com also listed what a server does which was so rudimentary that I was shocked at the lack of knowledge.

Job Description for Restaurant Server

Maintain table appearance by pre-bussing, check drink levels and remove clutter.

• Keep station clean, set up and take down station tables appropriately.
• Present check for payment and provides change as needed.
• Take food and beverage orders, give food orders to kitchen and deliver orders.

When you dine in an establishment which provides table service, you are expected to tip your server. Personally, if someone merely takes my order at a fast food place (Starbucks, sub shops, quick fix Chinese), I don't feel compelled to tip. So, what is the difference?

A server does:

• Polish your glassware and silverware pre-shift. 
• Greets you professionally and promptly.
• Explains the menu, including ingredients of dishes.
• Makes recommendations on food and wine.
• Ensures your drinks are always refilled - water, cocktails, wine, etc..
• Takes your order accurately.
• Times the delivery of your food. No one wants their appetizer to come out after the main course, but it happens.
• Checks back after each course is served.
• Is unobtrusive while being attentive.
• Knows when you are celebrating a special event, such as a birthday or anniversary.
• Knows when to get the manager involved and when something should be comped.
• Clears your table of crumbs, dirty glassware or dishes.
• Offer to package up your leftovers. Runs after you when you leave your $50 steak for tomorrow's meal at the table.

A server doesn't:

• Call you honey or babe or any other term of endearment - or other name for that matter.
• Sit down at your table to take your order.
• Touch you or anyone at your table.
• Lean over you to serve or remove drinks or food items from the table. 
• Hand you plates to serve to someone at your table.  This makes me crazy!
• Mix up your order with another table's or another person.
• Auction your food - my biggest pet peeve next to handing you drinks/food to serve.  It's the "Who had the...?" situation.  
• Chat with the table/guest at the bar next to you while ignoring you.
• Chat loudly with other servers and ignore you. This is especially annoying when they are bad mouthing guests or the restaurant itself.
• Forget your leftovers.

I'll delve into this more deeply in future installments.  Until then, remember to always drink responsibly and tip your bartender and servers.

Happy Dining,

Leslie

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