Eating out at a restaurant is supposed to be a pleasurable experience. However, the service you receive can enhance or ruin your meal. However, the right motivation can often convince even the most average server to provide you with great restaurant service. With a little finesse and a some effort on your part, you can easily get good service in a restaurant almost every time you eat out.
Treat your server with courtesy. He or she is not your personal slave. Your server is a person and appreciates being treated like one. Use simple manners like thanking your server when you get your food and saying "please" when you ask for something. A discreet wave is usually good enough to get your server's attention, and there's no need to shout across the room as though you are shouting at a puppy who has just soiled your carpet.
Acknowledge it when your server has done something impressive, like bringing extra napkins without being asked or correctly remembering a large order without writing it down.
Be nice to the server if you need to send your meal back. He or she didn't cook it and isn't responsible if it was poorly prepared.
Ask questions and engage your server in friendly small-talk. Topics could include how busy has the restaurant been today and if there's any chef specials on the menu. You can even comment on the old stand-by, the weather.
Frequent the restaurants you like, since it helps build relationships. Regular clients often get better service because restaurants know that repeat customers are what makes their businesses successful.
Tip well. Provide a 15 percent tip on average with a higher tip for better service.
