estaurant advice and suggestions for the customer and server. Most of them are terrible ideas – I wouldn’t listen to them if I were you.

1. Menu Recommendations:-

Customer Advice:-

As a customer, if you’re going to ask for a server’s recommendation, just remember who he works for. He is going to push you a dish that has the highest profit margin or is about to expire. He doesn’t care about you. Never ask a server “what should I get?” Try instead asking “What’s best?” You might get a better answer.

Server Advice:-

If a customer ever asks you for advice or recommendations on the menu, this is your chance to increase your check and get rid of those slightly smelly fish cakes that the chef defrosted five days ago. Take this opportunity, even if he asks “What’s best?” The customer doesn’t care what you say; he just wants to feel special at your expense.

2. The Dessert Menu

Server Advice:-

Don’t ever ask your guests if they want to see the dessert menu. This is another two “yes’s” you need from them for an additional sale. Take the initiative and give them the menu directly. Make them say no to that apple pie – people hate having to say no.

Customer Advice:-

If a server brings you a dessert menu, expecting an additional sale without asking first, just say no. Then order a decaf cappuccino and hot tea. Servers hate making hot drinks, and you’ll keep their table for an extra half hour. You need to teach them a lesson.

3. Apologizing

Server Advice:-

As a server, refuse to apologise to customers unless it is necessary. If the food is a few minutes late, don’t apologise – it triggers negative emotions within the guest, and too many of those will see your tips decrease.

Customer Advice:-

If your server brings your food late with no apology, he is obviously rude, obnoxious and shouldn’t be tipped.

4. Blogging

Server Advice:-

Look out for the customer that take photos of their food and the menu. Be even more cautious if they ask a lot of innocent-sounding questions. Chances are they will be blogging about it later. Make sure you up your service game and mark their order as a VIP. If they ask how to spell your name, get the manager immediately.

Customer advice:-

A good way to get special service in any restaurant is to start taking birds eye photos of your food as soon as it arrives. Ask lots of obscure questions and ask to see the menu again half way through your main course. Make sure you ask your server to spell out her name and watch the manager come running over.

5. Insider Tricks

Customer Advice:-

If the restaurant serves a dessert that is usually cooked in large batches such as a peach cobbler or an apple pie, chances are the server will have to portion it herself. Servers are a lot less worried about portion control then chefs and are more likely to plate up bigger servings.

Server Advice:-

If your kitchen serves a dessert that is usually cooked in large batches, such as peach cobbler or apple pie, keep a fork in your apron throughout the shift. That way, you can take a forkful of the customers portion without anyone ever knowing. Keep using the same fork throughout the evening.

6. Tipping

Server Advice:-

Research from Cornell has suggested that if you draw a smiley face and write a thank you on the check, your tips will increase. It projects sincerity and customers appreciate the personal touch. Furthermore, sign your name on the check as well – people will always tip more if they know their tips are going to a particular person.

Customer Advice:-

Don’t tip anyone that draws a smiley face on your check – it is a psychological hack. If they do, make sure you get their name.

7. Jokes

Customer Advice:-

Servers work long, anti-social hours and appreciate someone bringing some joviality and humour to their day. A tired server is the perfect recipient for your jokes. They particularly like quips about having to do the dishes if your credit card doesn’t work, or claiming the dinner was terrible while sitting in front of your licked clean plate. If you answer the credit card machine like it’s a phone, they will laugh and definitely remember you next time.

Server Advice:-

If a customer ever picks up the credit card machine to enter his PIN and instead answers it like it’s a phone, laugh but remember who they are. Avoid them like the plague next time.

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