Take a tip from restaurants

Why do we tip waiters, hairdressers and taxi drivers but not nurses and shop assistants? According to the research in the US, more than 90 percent of restaurant diners tip their waiter or waitress about 10 percent of the bill. Tips are often a large part of the income of waiting staff.

Research shows that, to get tips, some things work and others don’t. There are three main factors which can increase tipping.

The first is contact between customer and waiter or waitress. It includes:

1. touching the customer politely on the arm.

2. bending down so your eyes are on the same level as the customer’s.

3. extra visits to the table to check that everything is OK.

4. smiling when greeting the customer and being pleasant. Being helpful and warm makes a big difference.

5. introducing yourself by name. Even things like writing ‘thank you’ or drawing a cartoon on the bill are effective.

The second factor is speed. There are three occasions during the meal when speed is important: bringing the menu and drinks and taking the food order; bringing the food; and bringing the bill. It is important to get the speed

right. The trick is to understand what the customer wants. A business lunch may be quick or slow: get the timing right and the tip increases.

The third factor is giving small gifts – a free aperitif at the start of the meal or a chocolate with the bill.

 

1. How much do diners usually tip the waiting staff, according to the article?

2. What can increase tipping, according to the article? Choose three answers.

1. giving extra things for free

2. quick service

3. dressing smartly

4. playing music

5. creating a good relationship with customers

3. What can waiting staff do to increase tipping, according to the article? Choose three answers.

1 never touch the customer

2 visit the table often to make sure the customer is happy

3 smile at the customer

4 be pleasant and helpful

5 introduce the customer to the manager

6 ask the customer for their name

 

Which factors make you tip more?

· A sunny day

· Being in a big group

· Good food

· An attractive waiter or waitress

· Pay day

· Other

 

Retell the text.

Grammar review

1 Match the phrasal verbs in sentences 1 to 8 with their definitions a) to h).

1. Alice is looking after some visitors from Tokyo.

2. They want to look around the city before they go.

3. We look forward to welcoming the new Chief Executive.

4. Our Sales Manager is taking them out tonight.

5. We hope all staff can take part in the visitor programme.

6. We’d like to take up your invitation to visit you next year.

7. We changed the hotel booking when several extra visitors turned up.

8. It was a shame to turn down their invitation to the conference.

 

1. see the sights

2. arrive/appear

3. get involved in

4. give attention to/protect

5. accept (an offer)

6. wait with pleasure

7. entertain

8. refuse

 

Complete the story with one of the phrasal verbs from exercise 1.

I was really worried when I had to meet our new sales team in Tokyo as it was my first time there. No one ...................... at the airport to meet me. Sachiko, the person meeting me, had been given the wrong information. When we finally met, she ........................ me really well. The next day we ........................... the retail outlets, and I actually ......................... their sales meeting on the last day. In the evening the sales team offered to ............ me ................ for dinner, but I had to .................... it .............. because I was really tired. However, I’m really ............................................... my next visit, and I’ll certainly ......................... their offer of dinner next time.

 

Make up your own sentences with the phrasal verbs from exercise 1.

Skills

Entertaining. Ordering a meal

Read, memorize and reproduce the following dialogues.

Dialogue 1.

A Would you like a starter?

B Yes, please. What would you recommend?

A Well, the snails in garlic butter are very tasty. And the tomato soup is very         

good here.

B I’d like the tomato soup.

A Great. And I think I’ll have the snails. What would you like for the main

course?

B Can you help me with the menu? What’s paella?

A It’s Spanish. It’s a kind of rice dish. It’s made with seafood.

B That sounds nice. I’ll have that.

A Right. I think I’ll have the spaghetti. Shall we order dessert later?...

A Well, how about some dessert?

B Actually, I’ve eaten too much. I’m full. I think I’ll just have some fruit.

A OK. And I’ll have the apple pie.

 

Dialogue 2.

A Look! There is a vacant table in the corner. Let’s sit down at the table.

B Here is a menu. Let’s read it. Would you like a starter?

A Yes, I’d like some chicken broth. What about you?

B Well, the choice is not very wide. There is nothing to my taste.

A You should try the roast turkey. It’s delicious here.

B OK. And what would you have for the main course?

A I’ll take the grilled fish. And would you like a dessert?

B No, thanks, I’ve had enough. I’m full.

A Right. I’ll get the bill then.

B Don’t worry. This meal is on me.

A Thanks very much. That was a lovely meal. I really enjoyed it.

 

Dialogue 3.

A How can we entertain our visitors next week?

B Why don’t we invite them for dinner?

A Good idea. Which restaurant would you recommend?

B The food is always good at Pierre’s.

A That’s right, but it’s usually very busy and there isn’t any parking.

B How about a restaurant by the river?

A Yes, there is a good Italian restaurant there. Shall I book a table for

Wednesday night?

B Yes, please. By the way, are there any vegetarian dishes?

A Yes, the choice of vegetarian dishes is very wide there.

B OK. Can you call the restaurant as soon as possible, please?

 

1. Make up a similar dialogue on the following topic:

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