If I were not a server, I think I would make a good scientist.  My approach to serving is very similar to scientists testing new theories.  I form hypothesis and experiment to see if it can be proves true or false.  Everything I write about here has been tested on thousands of guests and over years of serving.  With this critical eye, I think I have proven some theories to the extent that I refer to them as rules.  These are truism that have been proven in my mind time and time again.

In the coming weeks I will expound upon these rules in greater detail.  For the moment though, here are my first ten rules of serving:

1)    If you worry about the guest, the money will take care of itself.

2)    If you worry about the money, the guests will not take care of themselves.

3)    Generic servers receive generic tips.

4)    Guests do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care

5)    Always recommend what is in the guest’s best interest, not yours.

6)    Never spend money you haven’t made.

7)    Be the coworker you want to have.

8)    Never count your money until you run your checkout.

9)    Never get just one.

10)   Pessimism is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Some are a little cryptic, but all will be explained in the days to come.  I will hyperlink future posts back to this list, so feel free to bookmark it.  Have a suggestion for a future rule you have proven to be true?  Drop a comment below.

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