It's National Waiter and Waitress Day!

This is a great country for so many more reasons than I could ever name, especially here. We celebrate political, religious, cultural and sexual diversity in every form. We even go so far as to name a "special day" after various types of people to remember and commemorate them.

We have the normal days:

*Presidents Day
*Mothers Day
*Fathers Day
*Grandparents Day
*D-Day
*Independence Day
*Flag Day
*All Saints Day
*Veterans Day
*Thanksgiving Day
*New Years Day

Then we have the "cute" days:

*Groundhog's Day
*Girl Scout Day
*April Fools Day
*Administrative Professionals Day (give me a break!)
*Beautician's Day
*Take Your Son or Daughter to Work Day
*Forgot Day (I forgot that one)
*Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Day
*National S'mores Day
*Left Hander's Day

Now guess the best one yet is? Drum roll please it's...

National Waiter and Waitress Day! (May 21)

This is the day all customers should show their appreciation to the thousands of waiters that have served America over the years. But what is the best way for these same waiters to earn more tips? This is what many websites say is the key to making BIGGER tips:

*Write your name and a smiley face on the check
*Give a piece of candy to the customer with the check
*Bend or crouch down on the side of the table when speaking with the guest
*Lightly touch the customer sometime during their meal
*Wear a red shirt, red lipstick or a flower in your hair (for the ladies)
*Carry more than one pen

Are they kidding? I can't tell you how many blogs, articles and other web sites mentioned some of the same things. I think they all copied each other's dumb ideas. And yes, dumb they are.

These ideas are embarrassing and childish.
*Give a piece of candy when you present the check to the guest. What are we in preschool?
*Write a smiley face on the check? You might just get stiffed now because of that.
*Carry more than one pen? Well, that's a no-brainer but it won't make you any more money.
*Bend or crouch down while taking the order? Now you're getting in my face. Please don't do that.
*Wear a red shirt, lipstick or a flower in your hair? The 1960's are long gone my friend.
*Lightly touch me, not unless you want a fat lip!

These are childish, improper and useless things to tell a waiter, especially one that is young and inexperienced and just trying to learn more about their trade.

This will do nothing more than to instill bad habits that will be difficult to break out of.

You are a professional. You take pride in your job, your career. You do not need to resort to worthless tactics and I won't insult you with stuff like this.

Only by making your guests feel special, feel as if THEIR enjoyment is YOUR primary concern, will you make the big tips. All else is not important.

If you are willing to learn how, I will teach you. Are you ready?

Author Steve DiGioia has been in the hotel & restaurant business, in one manner or another, for 25+ years.

From a summer internship as a 16 year old "prep-cook" in Chicago, to Brooklyn NY banquet waiter, then booking agent, catering sales manager & room service manager, to restaurant director and director of banquets, he has seen some of the best and worst at their trade.

Known as "the ops guy" during his tenure at Hilton Hotels, Steve has redefined the operational and service standards for multiple food and beverage departments for some of the best names in the industry. Using a hands-on approach, he has developed multiple training programs and personally mentored countless employees that have successfully moved on to supervisor and senior management positions.

Still active in the business, Steve has put together this collection of those same straightforward no-nonsense tactics that he continues to use, that will improve the customer service mindset of your employees. When that happens, the result is bigger tips for the employees and increased revenue and repeat business for your company.

Steve DiGioia is the author of "Earn More Tips On Your Very Next Shift". Purchase the book on Amazon here.

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