Serving

I have worked a lot this weekend and have made some observations. Some I have noticed before, others just recently. Talking to my fellow servers, I think it important to note some dining out etiquette.
1. Standard tip should be a minimum of 15%, if your server does a good job, tip them more. 20% lets them know that your dining experience was a good one.
2. If you have teenagers, that are eating out without you there, they should know about rule number one.
3. If your food did not meet your satisfaction, you should tell your server about it, so they can get you something else, or try and fix it for you. If the server stops by your table and you say that your food is fine, then don't leave them a note on the credit card slip that it did not meet your expectations.
4. Don't punish your server because the food, was not cooked rare enough, well enough or somewhere in between, we don't cook the food. However, we can take it back and make them do it again. Which we will gladly do if you tell us about it (refer to #3).
5. If you come to a restaurant to eat, expect to talk to people, namely your server. Don't ignore them when they come to the table or tell them that they are bothering you. YOU sat down at the table to be served, expect some communication.
6. If you have toddler children with you, just because you are in a restaurant, doesn't give you a right to throw food on the floor and then walk on it when you leave.
7. If you eat out, expect to add a tip to the total, don't rack up the bill and then not tip accordingly because you don't have enough money.
8. Remember, that most servers like the job they have, including me, next to Cinnabon, I love my job! However, I work for $2.13 and hour and tips make or break my shift.
9. Servers enjoy being treated like a person, we can make your dining experience enjoyable if you give us the chance.
10. If you eat our regularly, or if you have a server that you like, ask for them, it is a compliment that you would want them as your server again. And if you have one of those annoying but informative surveys on your receipt, take it, mention your servers name, tell the higher ups that we did a good job. We get rewarded for those things, and most of the time you get free food when you come back.

Alright, it was meant to be informative, not a rant, but it probably came across as both. But, if you learned something pass it on. Happy Dining :)!!!!