Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with waitress

Pampered and Elegant Toes That Work Hard

Phalene — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:48:23 -0800

Waitress Shoe Filter: What shoe would you advise this Canadian to buy, online, that she can return easily if it doesn't fit? I need a new pair of black work shoes. I have size 9(US) feet, which means depending on the model of the shoe, I range from 8-12. The city that I live in has six or so shoe stores and the only sensible black work shoe I can find are these ugly nurse shoes that look like plastic rubber boots. Online seems to be the only way to go.

Can you help me find feminine shoes that are black, formal, versatile and easy to return, while being good for working retail and service?

For an example of my taste in footgear, I really like Maryjane style shoes or shoes with girly details like bows or leather punched to look like lace. I can spend a bit more than $200 for the right shoe. And I’m 22, so a young-ish but classic shoe would be perfect.

credit card service fee/waitstaff

andywolf — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:37:05 -0800

lawfilter: is it legal in minnesota for credit card service fees to be deducted from a waitstaff's tip? according to this it sounds like it's up in the air in MN and a few other states. i can't find anything with more clarification as to the current standing of the law or if it's being contested in court right now.

How can I be a better waiter?

solipsophistocracy — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:32:54 -0800

I'd like to be a better waiter. Got any tips? I just started a new job at a wine bar/restaurant, and I'm looking for tricks of the trade. I've waited tables several times before, but I'd really like to step up my game for this new gig.

The restaurant serves small, tapas-style dishes and has an extensive wine list from which guests can order either three or five ounce servings (in addition to several hundred different wines in the adjoining retail shop). A party of two generally spends between $25- $50 on food and another $15 - $40 on wine.

Taking into account the fact that every customer wants something different, what are some good guidelines for providing excellent service? If you work in a restaurant, what works best for you? If you just eat in restaurants, what do you like/dislike about the way your servers interact with you?

Do Waitstaff Hate Change?

L. Fitzgerald Sjoberg — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 08:41:15 -0800

I read a guideline in Modern Drunkard's mostly, but not entirely, tongue-in-cheek "Rules of Boozing," and it confused me.

39. Never tip with coins that have touched you. If your change is $1.50, you can tell the barmaid to keep the change, but once she has handed it to you, you cannot give it back. To a bartender or cocktail waitress, small change has no value.

This seems to imply that a waitress would rather have a dollar tip than a dollar-fifty tip, at least if you leave it on the table.

Those of you who have worked for tips, can this be true? Would you rather have a dollar bill than a dollar bill and two quarters? How about a dollar bill, a quarter, a dime, two nickels, and five pennies? Is six quarters for a beer a horrible tip, or is it laundry/parking money? How about two bucks in loose change? If you're speaking from experience rather than conjecture, it'd be nice to know.

Can they really make me do that?

stormygrey — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 08:46:25 -0800

Quasi legal status filter: There are a lot of things out there that I take for granted as legal till I think about it. How can you find out what the actual legal standing of an issue is? I am not saying that perhaps these aren't moral or whatever obligations, just perhaps not legally enforcible.

Here are a couple:

"You break it, you buy it"

"May I please see your receipt?" (especially coupled with physical restraint or intimidation if you don't show it)

"Oh barkeep, someone walked out on their tab? Its coming out of your pocket!"

"15 minute Dry Cleaning Parking Only!"(In large shared parking lot, that space is not theirs!)

Google and such provide sketchy answers on the legality even if I am a little confrontational at times. I would just like to know where the law stands.

How can I get a job at a sushi place?

k8t — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:42:52 -0800

How can I get a job at a sushi restaurant? I need a part-time job for the summer and my favorite sushi restaurant just posted a Craiglist's ad. I've been applying for tons of food and retail jobs but haven't had much luck. I worked as a barista in 1995-1997, an assistant manager of a clothing store in 2003, and have done a ton of customer service jobs (IT help desk), but now I am a grad student and it seems that this is a black mark on my resume, regardless of my service industry background.

Anyway, I'd like hints from people who have worked at sushi restaurants or in food service in general to help me nail this job.

* This is the most upscale sushi place in Santa Barbara (in Montecito, actually). It is expensive (~$45/person for cheaper rolls and cheaper wine). It has an upscale atmosphere. It only seats 20 people. It is really difficult to get into on a weekend night.

* The ad says: "Experience a must" and "Experience in Japanese food/translation."

* Most of their servers are Asian or white college students. I'm not Asian and I am 6 years out of college. I haven't waited tables before, but I think I'd be okay at it. (I was a bus girl in 1995 for a summer though.) I think that as a slightly older person, they may overlook my lack of experience.

* I don't know Japanese, but I do know most of the sushi-related words. I figure I should learn the terms in this glossary before I go.

* I have complete weekend and evening availability except Tuesdays and Wednesdays this summer when I have class.

Do I have a shot, food service comrades? What else can I do to impress them?

Where can I buy this poster?

thefinned1 — Sun, 19 Jun 2005 10:29:38 -0800

My girlfriends sister really wants this poster but has no idea how to find it. This may be a better shot of it. I want to get it for her for her upcoming birthday but I don't have any clue who it is either. Can anyone tell me who is pictured in the poster or better yet where I can buy it?

Tipping and Bad Service

jaysus chris — Wed, 02 Feb 2005 15:54:35 -0800

TipFilter: Some friends and I were on the receiving end of some bad service last night, so we didn't tip. The waitress followed us out and made a scene. I'm looking for advice on how to handle tipping in these rare situations and what to do now. [More Inside] I know questions on tipping are pretty common, but can't recall a similar situation coming up.

The food was fine and on time, but getting our drinks took ages. Literally 20+ minutes. The pub has dozens of excellent beers on tap. I know it can take a few minutes to pour a nice pint, but it wasn't busy (Two tables with food, two tables just drinks). Also, the people who ordered at the bar were served immediately, so it's not like there was a mechanical problem gumming the works. The first round I chalked up to her just forgetting, and wasn't going to hold it against her, even though she acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world for it to take 25 minutes to get three beers from a bar. Second round, same deal, 20+ minutes. As we stood to talk to the bartender about canceling the order and settling the bill she appears with our drinks oblivious to the time that had passed and our intentions to leave. We settle in, drink them, pay and leave without tipping.

She followed us out to the parking lot, and asked if there was something wrong with the service. I explained what happened. She said, "You've got to be kidding me. Never come back here again." and stormed back in to the pub.

How do you handle tipping when the service is bad? If she had made even the slightest effort to explain or apologize, I wouldn't have hesitated to leave a full tip. Should I do anything further to try to address the situation? Does the dramatic finale mitigate the circumstances any?