Girls, I work as a server in a bar/restaurant. How do I compete with the female servers for tips?

[2nd_Sexiest_Man]

I work as a server in a bar/restaurant. Many people would say I am average looking. Most of the servers at the restaurant are tall, blonde and feminine. I am good at my job but my tips are always significantly less than any off the female servers. Should I quit? How do I compete with them?

[SueShe]

Except for agreeing 100% with @PrettyPriya, I would suggest that you find yourself a workplace, an employer that is much more progressive than the current, old fashioned one where you currently work.

Any more modern establishment that really cares for its employees would collect all the tips of its employees and place them in a pot. At the end of the day, of the week or even at the end of the month, the total sum in the pot would be equally divided by all its employees and that would include cleaning staff as well as the staff in the kitchen.

Usually, most of the staff work on minimum wages and while the waiters are the ones in direct contact with the customers, the tips would certainly not be as good if the food was inedible. Then, why leave the kitchen staff out of being recipients for tips?

Girls are tipped more just because the male clientele is sexist and tend to tip female workers more than males workers. It is very difficult to go against those habits that are dictated by the testosterone rather than because of good service received by the waiters.

[PrettyPriya]

This is very good advice. I’m unsure how they handle tips at our favourite restaurants here. This would be the fairest way of doing it though.

[PrettyPriya]

You work extra hard on being the best server there. Go out of your way to be pleasant, helpful and kind to your patrons. I’m other words, be a step above the girls.

You don’t seriously believe that everyone that comes to the establishment you work at is there to hope for some hot girl to wait on them? How about the families? What about a group of girls dining? Bet they would prefer a nice young gentleman that gets everything perfect to serve them.

I know I would. Okay, so thinking to some places that I go that are fancy in my city, we often ask if _________ will be working that evening and if we can request that server.

Running through a list in my head and confirmed by my fiancé, all the servers we like to request if we can are guys. Know why? They are simply top notch at what they do. Become that guy.

[2nd_Sexiest_Man]

@PrettyPriya I appreciate the great advice. I try to always be pleasant, helpful and kind no matter who I am serving. I served a much older couple and the wife said that I reminded her of her grandson. I did appreciate the compliment and while they were very nice the tip they left was tiny. A group of women came in last Friday and while serving them I got so nervous I dropped a tray of food. I was so embarrassed.

[PrettyPriya]

@2nd_Sexiest_Man You’re welcome. It is late and I’m off but I’ll leave you with this. Mistakes happen and you just pick yourself up and move on.

I get you were embarrassed but I’ve seen that happen so many times. Nature of that job it seems. Keep working at it. You seem like a nice, polite guy. The tips will come.

[dustybiker]

It’s how you project yourself. Anticipate the needs of the customers. Smile.. genuinely smile. Be friendly. Enjoy the people who are happy. Doesn’t mean you have to interact with them, but if their conversation strikes you as you hear it in passing smile or laugh softly but keep going about your job. When people feel welcome they are happier and more likely to tip.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

Identify the rich older woman. Learn to compliment and flatter. Try to identify who has the money and press them harder.

Supplement with learning to read and anticipate your other clients. You don't have the natural... Er... Assets... Your female coworkers have.

So work on charisma, knowledge of your products, and building good connections to your customers.

Make sure you're dressing snappy and styling your hair. Keep yourself clean.