Just get the people their food and keep the beverages full, clear off any used plates and Keep an eye out for anyone trying to get your attentionand do alot of smiling, quit worrying cuz that will just mess you up inside.

be friendly ( but not overly or intrusive) listen well to what your customers want. dont waste time, make your trips to the table as efficient as you can ( but dont be hessitent to run something to a customer thay are waiting for. use common sence, ( people want the sides with the meal,not after, ect) keep the drinks full and most of all. smile and be your frendly, good-lookin self and youll do just fine!

multi tasking is very important when waitressing it is the most useful skill, you must learn to be able to do several things at once without getting overwhelmed or forgetting things try to think of the best service you had when you were out to eat remember what made it so good somethings that inexperianced waitresses often do that may not seem as big of a deal to us as it is to them is clear away their dirty dishes, as a customer this is one of the most annoying things servers do as a waitress it doesn't seem as big of a deal until someone complains about it, also offer them what is called silent service this is when you give your customers something without them asking for it if it looks like they need it like if their soda is empty refill it automatically (if its free refills) or if you see them push half of their food to one side of the dish neatly like they want to wrap it bring them a box and wrap it for them, if they are sharing something bring them an extra dish or if they are eating ribs bring them some extra napkins if it look like they need them, customers appreciate this more tham you realize imagine you were at a restaurant eating hot wings or something and your drink was empty you look around for your server finally find her and she already has a refill in her hand for you now you don't have to wait until she goes all the way back to the kitchen also be able to read your guests if they are cool then you can be more laidback and joke with them if they are real uptight then maybe that wouldn't be the best approach, if they come in wearing work uniform assume they are on their lunch or dinner break and ask them if they are in a hurry and bring their check right away but make sure they know that there is no rush and you're are trying to help them with their time restraints if something does go wrong sincerely apologize to the guests alot of times people are much more understanding when you do this then when you try to ignore something if you forgot to ring in their food pologize that there food is taking so long and assure them that it will be right out offer them something else such as soup salad another cocktail or some bread or something like that if it's dinner or a restaurnat where that would be appropriate also, realize that its important to build a raport with your guests talk to them and treat them the like friends they love feeling of being important or like regulars like everyone knows them learn their names and remember what they like i actually hafta go to work now good luck email me if you need anything or advice i been a waitress way too long illimitato_hustla@yahoo.com or www.myspace.com/hustle1luv

multi tasking is very important when waitressing it is the most useful skill, you must learn to be able to do several things at once without getting overwhelmed or forgetting things try to think of the best service you had when you were out to eat remember what made it so good somethings that inexperianced waitresses often do that may not seem as big of a deal to us as it is to them is clear away their dirty dishes, as a customer this is one of the most annoying things servers do as a waitress it doesn't seem as big of a deal until someone complains about it, also offer them what is called silent service this is when you give your customers something without them asking for it if it looks like they need it like if their soda is empty refill it automatically (if its free refills) or if you see them push half of their food to one side of the dish neatly like they want to wrap it bring them a box and wrap it for them, if they are sharing something bring them an extra dish or if they are eating ribs bring them some extra napkins if it look like they need them, customers appreciate this more tham you realize imagine you were at a restaurant eating hot wings or something and your drink was empty you look around for your server finally find her and she already has a refill in her hand for you now you don't have to wait until she goes all the way back to the kitchen also be able to read your guests if they are cool then you can be more laidback and joke with them if they are real uptight then maybe that wouldn't be the best approach, if they come in wearing work uniform assume they are on their lunch or dinner break and ask them if they are in a hurry and bring their check right away but make sure they know that there is no rush and you're are trying to help them with their time restraints if something does go wrong sincerely apologize to the guests alot of times people are much more understanding when you do this then when you try to ignore something if you forgot to ring in their food pologize that there food is taking so long and assure them that it will be right out offer them something else such as soup salad another cocktail or some bread or something like that if it's dinner or a restaurnat where that would be appropriate also, realize that its important to build a raport with your guests talk to them and treat them the like friends they love feeling of being important or like regulars like everyone knows them learn their names and remember what they like i actually hafta go to work now good luck email me if you need anything or advice i been a waitress way too long illimitato_hustla@yahoo.com or www.myspace.com/hustle1luv

The other suggestions here are good. Being a server is ultimately all about service -- i.e. having your attention on the needs of those being served, with an intention to do your best. Customers sense when the server is really "there" or if they're "out to lunch", there are all sorts of little details. As to whether the job is right for you or not, certainly its legitimate to ask whether this is something you want to do for the rest of your life. That's a big question for everyone, no matter what job they have. It may take time to decide whether this is something you want to stick with, but while you're on the job -- as with any job -- you'll be happier and more satisfied if you try to give it your best effort. Lots of people get caught up in thinking "this job sucks", or "I should be in management", or some other form of "this isn't it". When we're doing that, we're no longer present and engaged in life, and everything starts to go downhill.

One idea I read is at least once during the meal get your head down to the same level as theirs somehow. For some reason this really seems to increase tips. Tell them your first name, too, so they can ask other wait staff heading for the kitchen to "Have Halya come out here, okay?" Other than that, ask your boss for pointers. And be honest.

A GOOD server would make sure what you are taking to the customer is correct. Example: A server brings out a steak entree with fries, but the customer ordered mashed potatoes, well as a server, as long as YOU are the one taking the food to the customer, it's *YOUR* RESPONSIBLITY to make sure the food is correct as far as what you can SEE without touching the person's food. I can COUNT the number of times I've had WRONG FOOD delivered to my table that was SO OBVIOUS that it was wrong by the SAME SERVERS that took my orders. I've even had a wrong ENTREE be delivered by the SAME WAITER before. I bet he felt EMBARRASSED, because he even wrote the order down, but didn't bother to REREAD the order and compare that order with the plate of food he was bringing me. Also, make sure the check is correct. I've had MANY times been undercharged and overcharged. Sometimes the server will forget to put something on the check or put something I didn't order on the check. Sometimes it was a wrong price in the computer, which a SERVER can verify that indeed the price matches the menu. I've also had a few times where the servers rung up the wrong table on my credit card. My point is, MAKE SURE you are taking the customers the CORRECT THINGS as long it's something you can SEE without having to touch someone's food. I've had a waiter NOT write my husband and I's drink orders down one time at a certain restaurant. I ordered mixed drink as well as a dr. pepper and my husband ordered a diet coke. The waiter brings out a SPRITE. NOW COME ON, if you can't see the difference between a CLEAR liquid and a DARK liquid, you've got a problem. THE MOST OBVIOUS MISTAKES servers seem to make because they won't TRY to get the order correct. Compare what you wrote down with the plate of food or glass. Also, knowing a bit about the menu is VERY helpful. Think about when you are a customer. Have you EVER asked questions about the food? KNOW that if the menu states cheese fries comes with a side of ranch, that when you get ready to bring it to the table, if the ranch is not there, unless the customer told you they didn't want it, TELL THE COOK. Don't expect customers to BABY-SIT you with EVERY LITTLE DETAIL. I understand if it's like a pickle under a bun that someone didn't want, well you can't SEE that, so that's out of your control unless you printed the ticket incorrectly, but a side of ranch, YOU DEFINATELY can SEE it's MISSING. Also DON'T **ASSUME** ANYTHING, EVER! I've had times when I wanted to get a mixed drink after a dessert was ordered, but the servers decided to "ASSUME" we didn't want anything else by just bringing the check, even one did during my husband and I eating our dessert, so we had our mouths full of food and wasn't able to tell him we weren't ready yet for the check. I feel that is pushy to just bring the check without knowing 100% for sure without a doubt the customer is ready for it. The servers that brought the check without asking had their tip lowered some because they "ASSUMED" we were done. Let the CUSTOMERS make ALL THE DECISIONS! Assuming also includes keeping someone's change that didn't say to keep it. I've had that happen before. Make SURE they want whatever you are giving them FIRST. If you make **ANY** mistakes at all, APOLOGIZE. I have given bigger tips to servers that have just been NICE ENOUGH to say they are sorry. I feel servers should ALWAYS WRITE DOWN the orders. I know it's not a guarantee it will be right, but it's a start in the right direction at least. I know I can't remember people's names at times, much less remember a complicated order. My entire point of this post is to PREVENT MISTAKES BEFORE THEY HAPPEN and NOT TO ASSUME THINGS. You can be ready with the check for the customer by having it in you apron, but at least ask something like this "Will there be anything else this evening."(if it's at night) Sure 9 times out of 10, they more than likely will want the check, but not always will it be like that. I shouldn't have to tell my server I may be getting another drink after the dessert ordered. That's ridiculous that I'd have to do that. They should make sure that I don't want to order anymore things by just simply ASKING them, because they DON'T TRULY KNOW FOR SURE.