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Perfectly good dining experiences at restaurants can be ruined by a few ill thought out actions by waiters. Some things should always be done by servers and some should never be done. To most diners, these things seem obvious. But to a lot of waiters they go by the wayside. Here are a few basics that every waiter should know.

To begin with, you should never bother the patrons by standing around their tables when they are trying to eat. After the food has been served, wait a few minutes and then go check to make sure everything is satisfactory. Then leave them alone to eat in peace. If they need you for anything, they will try to get your attention. So keep an eye on everyone in case somebody is trying to get your attention.

Also, don’t pressure them into making a decision about ordering if they are not ready. If they say that they need a few minutes, actually give them a few minutes before you come back. Don’t come back in 1 minute with pen in hand. If they are not sure what they want, don’t roll your eyes or otherwise express annoyance. It really shouldn’t matter to you how long it takes them to order anyway.

Should a restaurant customer happen to have a complaint, always apologize even if you didn’t do anything. Do not make excuses or try to blame them. Say that you are sorry for the inconvenience and that you will fix the problem. If you are not able to solve the problem, get someone who can right away.

Another important topic concerning waiters is removing plates. It is downright shocking how many waiters magically appear the moment a patron’s fork touches the last piece of food. Before they even have a chance to chew that final bite, the dishes are scooped up and whisked away. This can make the customer feel as though you have been counting down the seconds until they finished so that they can leave. Not good.

Something else to keep in mind about dishes is this: Never, ever take away one person’s plates is somebody else at the table is still eating. This is outrageously rude! This could make the person who is still eating feel uncomfortable or rushed into finishing his or her meal. The number of waiters who do this to customers is astounding. Please don’t be one of them.

There are other things that should be obvious, yet still we see in restaurants every day. Don’t shout or point at a customer. Do not play with your hair, chew gum or argue with other staff where customers can hear you. Don’t smoke cigarettes where they can see you. Never touch a patron or handle any of their personal property. And under no circumstances should you tell a customer that you cannot wait until it is time to go home. And for crying out loud, refrain from asking for tips or counting them in view of the guests.

As for the dos: do be well groomed at all times. Dress nicely and make sure your shirt is tucked in and tie is straight. Always be polite and give the guests a smile. Thank them for dining at your establishment and say it so that it seems like you mean it. Even if you don’t.

In the city known for its popular vacation destinations for Vancouver travel, have an enjoyable dining experience at the many accessible restaurants. Also, when purchasing Vancouver real estate, you may want to consider an area with lots of options for delicious foods.

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