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Getting Good Service at Restaurants

Gayle King
Steve Dublanica began his career as a New York–based waiter at the age of 31, and years later, when he became frustrated with his work experience, he created the blog "Waiter Rant." The successful blog was the precursor to his book Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip—Confessions of a Cynical Waiter. Gayle talks with Steve, now 40, about why he wrote the book, appropriate customer etiquette and rules for tipping.

Steve says that 80 percent of restaurant customers are very nice people. "It's this 20 percent of crazies that make your job so much harder," he says. "You always remember the people that give you a hard time."

When it comes to customer etiquette, Steve shares his advice to get good service.
  • "Please" and "thank you" will get you a long way, Steve says. "It tells me that you consider me a fellow member of the human race," he says. "It's a servant job, but we're not slaves. Please treat us as professionals."
  • Refrain using your cell phone at the table—especially when ordering.
  • Tell your waiter what you want and be very clear about it.
  • If you do have a bad experience with your waiter, don't stiff them on the tip. "The best thing to do is write a letter," Steve says. "When an owner gets a letter in the mail—that's an impression. Half of the time they will give you a gift certificate—they want to make it up to you."
Related Resources
  • Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip—Confessions of a Cynical Waiter by The Waiter, Steve Dublanica


The opinions expressed by the hosts, guests and callers to Oprah Radio are strictly their own.
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