There’s nothing more frustrating during your night out to eat than a waiter who is never around when you need them most. Either you get the walk-by with no eye contact, the waiter who pretends they don’t see you, or a server that tells you “Sorry, I’m not your waiter.”
First of all, those sorts of things should never happen in a professional restaurant. If you find yourself constantly being neglected, it may be time to find another restaurant to dine at. But for all other regular circumstances, there’s are some key things you can do to make it easier to grab your server attention when you need something.
1. Raising your hand
This is one of the simplest and basic ways to grab your server’s attention. In order for this to work, however, your server must be on top of their game and circulating within their section, readily available for any sign you may be trying to give them. But, you have to keep in mind that they are not mind readers and sometimes need a clear sign to know that you actually want something. Be obvious with your hand raising. Especially while dining out at a busy, rush filled restaurant. Otherwise, the waiters may think you’re just tapping your hand on the table or talking with your hands.
2. Learn your waiter’s name.
I’ve mentioned this before in another post called “Remember to Tip Your Waitress”. As stated before, it’s actually encouraging for servers to be called by their name instead of something as rude as a finger snap. Imagine your in a busy, loud restaurant and you need another beer. You call out “Excuse me, Miss” but the waitress doesn’t catch what you said. If you raise your hand and say “Excuse me, Ashley “, the chances are much better that they’ll notice you.
3. Speak with a manager.
Of course, servers should be doing their utmost best to make sure your experience at the restaurant is a pleasant one. If you’re a regular at a restaurant and sense that a server is disrespecting you or purposely ignoring you : ask to speak with the manager. They may be able to switch your waiter or waitress and may even speak to the server who was ignoring you in the first place. If you find that you enjoy being served by a specific waiter, ask if it’s alright that you be put in their section each time you come. Management loves to get feedback on the good…and the bad and will most probably do their best to try to give you the service you need as a guest.
4. Treat your server with respect.
I can guarantee you right now that if you disrespect your server by snapping your fingers, yelling, making fun of them, or calling them names you will not receive the service you were expecting. I’ve seen waiters purposely ignore customers that were rudely snapping their fingers, so the solution is quite simple. Don’t do it. Period. If you are constantly getting bad service everywhere you go, take a step back and take a look at you table manners.. Are you making inappropriate jokes? Do you find yourself swearing at them? It may be time for a change in your dining etiquette.
There are always exceptions…
Servers are mostly responsible for being available for their guests. The things, they aren’t machines. They are responsible sometimes for quite a few tables and sometimes if one thing goes wrong, everything else gets dragged down with it. If you see you server trying to take care of a problem with another guest, be patient and remember that they are doing their best in sometimes a crummy situation. If you can help them out some of the time by making it obvious when you need something, it will make their jobs a lot easier and in return you’ll get the service you expect.
The Waitress Confessions 