What Should You Expect From Your Server?

I know, I know...  I make the server sound perfect.  And no - not every server is a good server or perfect.  So here are some ideas about what is considered basic service, what is considered good service, and what is considered excellent service and how to tip appropriately.

BASIC SERVICE - 12% AND UP
Basic service by your waitress/waiter includes:

• Comes to your table and greets you
• Takes your order
• Sends your order to the kitchen
• Makes sure you get your order
• Presents the check
• Collects the amount due (if required by the restaurant)

GOOD SERVICE - 18% AND UP
Good service by your waitress/waiter includes:

• Comes to your table and pleasantly greets you
• Takes your order and double checks for accuracy
• Accurately sends your order to the kitchen
• Makes sure your order arrives correctly and in a reasonable amount of time (based on number of customers, food ordered and availability of cook staff)
• Refills beverages before empty (if the restaurant's policy permits and promotes this step of service)
• Checks back on customers more than once
• Brings any extra items customers request
• Presents the check at the end of the meal
• Collects the amount due and thoughtfully makes any change necessary (if required by the restaurant)

EXCELLENT SERVICE - 20% AND UP
Excellent service by your waitress/waiter includes:

• Approaches your table, pleasantly greets you and does/says something to make you feel welcome
• Takes your order, makes suggestions that fit your tastes, and double checks for accuracy
• Accurately sends your order to the kitchen and follows its progress
• Makes sure that the food prepared is cooked properly and has all of the condiments needed for a good meal
• Makes sure your order arrives correctly, in reasonable amount of time and is personally delivered (if allowed by the restaurant's policy)
• Anticipates the needs or requests of the customer while they are dining
• Refills beverages before empty (if the restaurant's policy permits and promotes this step of service)
• Checks back on customers frequently
• Brings any extra items customers request in a timely manner
• Presents the check after clearing the dishes (if the restaurant's policy permits this)
• Collects the amount due and thoughtfully makes any change necessary  (if required by the restaurant) - often rounding down to the nearest dollar

Please remember that it is very likely your server will not hit all of the goals listed in each section here.  More likely they will manage all of the BASIC SERVICE steps and many of the GOOD SERVICE steps and several or more of the EXCELLENT SERVICE steps.  If you feel that your server really did a great job, but maybe missed one or two steps out of the EXCELLENT category - give them an EXCELLENT tip!  Nobody is perfect and EXCELLENT SERVICE expectations are often unachievable due to a variety of factors - including number and attitude of customers, number and quality of waitstaff, number and quality of kitchen staff, availability of requested items, injury, and random acts of god and man.  Just BE GENEROUS with others and others will be generous with you!