How to Summon a Waiter Politely

Last Updated: April 17, 2021

Showing good manners and class at a restaurant starts with how you deal with the wait staff. This varies from place to place, but the rule of thumb is to do it as discreetly as possible.

Steps

1
Raise your hand, but don't wave. Most waiters are very busy but will get to you eventually. Be patient if the restaurant is packed. The waiter might have many tables to help besides yours.
2
Talk to your waiter with respect. Control your tone and attitude, a bossy or condescending way of speaking is not needed. Never yell or snap your fingers to get attention.

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3
Make eye contact with the waiter.
4
Try to always remain polite. If your waiter is ignoring you, be patient, he or she may be busy and stressed out with too much work.
5
Remember that if the food does not taste good that the waiter is not responsible; if the food is cool, then it would be uncommon that the waiting staff is at fault, but it could happen.
6
Avoid behaviors that will make your waiter want to pull out his or her hair and give you slow service.
- Changing your mind over dishes after they have been ordered
- Telling your waiter it is time to order than make them stand there for 10 minutes because you really have not decided what you want.
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Harassing other wait staff/customers
- Asking them out on a date
- Talking about your waiter even if they are standing right there.
- Ask for separate checks after the waiter bring you the bill or order dessert after the waiter brings the bill
- Asking the waiter to come back over and over again to take your order.
7
Grabbing any waiter by the elbow to get service is a big no no. Don't ever touch your waiter!
8
Practice good manners when the waiter does arrive at your table and you are with a large party, do not ignore them. It is very rude.

Community Q&A

Question

Do I say "Can I have" or "I will have" when ordering a meal at a restaurant?

Community Answer

"I will have" is proper and more common. However, both are acceptable and will be understood by the waitstaff.
Question

How do I tell a waiter what I want in a polite way?

Community Answer

Say, "Could I have? And then state your order. The waiter will like how kind you are and maybe even give you faster service!
Question

How do I call over a waiter in a restaurant in France?

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Community Answer

You can raise your hand with a smile and you'll be served correctly. If you want to order something, you just have to call the waiter/tress by saying: "Excusez-moi" or saying : "Monsieur" for the waiter or "Mademoiselle" if it's a young waitress or "Madame" if it's an older waitress.

Warnings

Never call out "Garçon" or "Niño" (they both mean 'kid or boy in French and Spanish respectively, or the female equivalents either). Again it is not cute nor funny. Save your jokes for someone who is not very busy.

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Never scream out or stand up at your table looking for a waiter. It is rude! Don't ask your waiters name just so you can shout it out across the room.

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Don't send out family members to look for the waiter especially children. It is dangerous in a busy restaurant.

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Don't make up cute nicknames for the wait staff. They don't like it.

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