DINING OUT 101:
How To Treat Your Server They’re here to serve you and give you the best experience of your life. Here’s how you can return the favor. BY BARRY KAUFMAN
•
When you dine out or enjoy a cocktail at one of Hilton Head Island’s bars or restaurants, there’s a tacit agreement you enter into. The server or bartender agrees to bring you some of the finest food and drink you’ve ever experienced, treat you like the VIP you are, and maybe give you a few laughs. In return, you agree to a few things. The first is a given – a tip. Money talks, as they say. A few bucks at the end of the evening is often the best reward you can give. But there is something else you agree to, something that may in fact be more important. You agree to be nice. “That’s it. Just be nice. Be patient. And don’t be rude,” said Jeff Mix, a veteran server and bartender at Charlie’s Coastal Bistro. As the customer, you are of course always right. It is your prerogative to be rude, and certainly no one expects you to respond to horrendous service with a bank-breaking tip. But as a human being, you do kind of have a moral responsibility to mind your manners. Beyond simple courtesy, this can have a tremendous impact on the level of service you receive. “I’ve had a lot of customers compliment me on my good service, which always encourages me to continue providing excellent service to them,” said Ann Finnerty, another veteran of local F&B with stints at Salty Dog, New York City Pizza, Fat Baby’s and more. “I’ve had customers give me large tips that were totally unexpected and made my whole day! Also, when they write online reviews that mentioned me by name.” That respect you’re showing is a two-way street. Mix makes it a point to greet everyone who approaches the bar at Charlie’s, even if the rush only leaves him with enough time for a brief, “I’ll be with you in just a moment.” He’s also been known to keep a few Hershey Kisses behind the bar, to give to the fairer half of any couples in for date night. “Always take care of the wife. Because if it’s your first time at a new place, and your wife likes it, you’re coming back,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you liked it. She’s calling the shots.” For Mix, it’s not just about bringing people back. It’s about the experience he’s able to give people, which builds the sort of fiercely loyal following he enjoys at Charlie’s. “I have the best customer base, bar none, because I’m nice to them,” he said. That said, he warns of one annoying habit that will land you
24
TASTEOFHILTONHEAD.COM
PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN
on the “do not serve” list: yelling “Hey! Hey! Hey!” at a busy bartender. Instead, he urges you to simply be patient. You may get the odd bartender who isn’t as attentive as he is, but even then a simple, “excuse me” should suffice. And if that doesn’t work? “One time someone just sat down and put a $20 in the air. That got my attention,” he said with a laugh. Ultimately, it comes down to one simple secret: be nice. Your server is there for you. Your bartender is there for you. Be there for them, and you’ll enjoy a night out you’ll never forget.