The Art of Serving: Lessons from Life on the Floor

If you have ever been like me and worked or currently still work in the service industry, you know that serving is more than just taking orders and delivering food. It is a delicate juggle of multiple things at once. The art of balancing multitasking, people skills, and endurance. My 8 plus years in the restaurant business, starting as a host, then moving my way to the kitchen, and finally back onto the floor as a server have made me into who I am today. Starting from humble beginnings in a small local pizza place, to working for one the best best restaurants in the QC, I have learned so much to help me survive in this field. These lessons are not just for the restaurant floor though, they extend into other aspects of our lives as well.

The Hustle and Flow of a Busy Shift

Walking into an already busy and packed restaurant on a Friday night is both exhilarating and overwhelming. The hum of conversations, the clinking of silverware, the occasional shout from a child or the kitchen create this organized chaos that servers must navigate carefully and meticulously. Seemingly without error, because one mistake can back up the entire night for more than just you, but other servers and customers as well. One of the biggest skills I have learned is Time Management. Managing multiple tables at once while ensuring drinks are filled, food arrives hot, cocktails are served properly, and guests feel attended to requires constant mental juggling. We have all had those late night realizations about the ranch you forgot for table 25 and that comes with the territory. This has taught me how to prioritize tasks effectively; a skill that applies to every aspect of our lives.

Reading the Table: Mastering Social Intelligence

As a server you quickly learn that no two tables are the same. For some tables you will get people who want to talk your ear off. Whether that is menu recommendations, life events, or even just little jokes to break any tension. Then there are other customers who want a quiet and peaceful dining experience, free of the distractions of others. Reading people's energy and adjusting my approach accordingly has been an absolute game-changer. Learning to anticipate needs before they are verbalized, whether that is extra napkins or refilling their water/soda, enhances the guest's experience and often results in better tips. As a male server especially there is a stigma that women get more tips due to their looks and that men need to work harder for better tips. While there may be some truth to that statement from my time in the industry, this skill has helped me overcome that obstacle and be one of the best and well respected servers at my job currently.

The Not-So-Glamourous Side of Serving

Mistakes happen to everyone, no matter the job. There are moments in the service industry when you slip and fall, spill a drink, get yelled at for something out of your control, or deal with difficult customers and it can be incredibly frustrating. For the slips always go through shoesforcrews.com for high quality shoes that have slip resistant treads. It can take both a toll on your physical and mental health when this happens. A good example of this is during COVID, the job I was working just implemented Door Dash and we had a little tablet that would ring when an order was placed. You would have to input the order in our system to get it fired and one time, someone put the order in but didn't notify the system that it was fired, so I put it in a second time unknowingly. This made the head chef furious when I went back to tell him we did not need that order twice after he already started making it. He ended up throwing to-go boxes at me in a furious tantrum. I have always said to others that a good cry in the walk-in does wonders, and I needed it that day. These experiences have taught me resilience and patience. Instead of dwelling on bad encounters, I have learned to shake them off and move forward, a mindset that has helped me in many other areas of my life.

The Joy of Making Someone's Day

One of the most rewarding aspects of serving is creating memorable experiences for guests. Whether it's remembering a regular's favorite order or going the extra mile for special occasion, the smallest gestures can make a huge impact. I love to give out desserts for birthdays and anniversaries. It is a little impact on their overall experience but I genuinely feel like it goes a long way for higher tips and better customer experience. The job I work at currently, even likes when we give out free appetizers and desserts to frequent customers to get them to come back. We love the regulars at our job, since they are the ones keeping the lights on. Moments like these remind me why I enjoy working this job, it's about Connecting with People and Bring Joy to their day. Come out to Monarch Kitchen and Bar in the Quad Cities for some of the best food and desserts in the whole area! Link to the menu is right here: https://restaurantmonarch.com/

Tipping Culture: The Unspoken Rule

Tipping has been mentioned a lot in this blog post. That is because as we all know, it is the cornerstone of how we are servers get paid. bad service means a bad tip. While most customers understand it's importance, it is also important to understand how other culture perceive tipping. It is not the same for every country. Working in this field has given me a better understanding for tipping etiquette. That includes all the effort that goes into providing excellent service. If you have ever wondered whether to tip, just remember - those extra dollars make a huge difference in a server's livelihood. Plus it might help put a smile on their face.

Lessons That Last a Lifetime

Working as a server has shaped me in ways I never expected. It has strengthened my ability to handle pressure, enhanced my people skills, and taught me the value of hard work. Whether I continue in the industry or move on to a different career, these lessons will stay with me forever. As well as saying "heard" in response to someone.

So, the next time you dine out, take a moment to appreciate your server and all they are doing for your dining experience - they're juggling more than you might realize!