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5 Creative Ways to Serve Your Server

2 min

Before listing some practical ways to serve, how about a practical question: who is your server?

Some possible answers (feel free to add to the list):

  • a wait person in a restaurant
  • a wait person in a fast food restaurant
  • a coffee barista
  • a work colleague who sits by you
  • a work colleague who sits away from you
  • a family member
  • a spouse or partner
  • a parent
  • a child
  • a public transport employee
  • a hairdresser
  • a neighbour
  • friends
  • a social media acquaintance
  • a care giver
  • a vicar
  • a pet

And so on. For me a server is someone who is there, willingly or not, who provides something that I cannot do for myself at that time. So now I have some idea who my server may be, why should I serve them? (The why should come before the how –which is the practical bit that is coming.)

Here's why: I once heard someone share that on a 50th birthday they received a book that people wrote remembrances of them in. They were shocked that the majority of the messages were about a time they were kind. The birthday person shared that they were not a particularly kind person (truthfully I agree with their self-assessment) but they were greatly surprised that they were remembered for kindness. Their big take away? People really remembered few things about us as time moves on, but all are touched in a very permanent way by kindness. And that is why we should serve our servers, to be kind and in doing so touch another in a permanent and loving way.

Now to the how.

How can I practically serve my server?

  • Look them in the eye, pause, smile and ask if you can, 'Hi, how are you today?' I'm an American, and - granted - this is an incredibly 'American' thing to do, but try it. Looking at and seeing someone tells them that they are seen; important.
  • Speak slowly and clearly. Don’t rush them or yourselves or the moment. Ensure that you communicate in a thoughtful manner.
  • Listen as they speak and share ideas, thoughts, food choices and procedures and issues. Don’t interrupt; try to hear what is said and also what is not said. Ask your waitress what she'd eat on the menu, if it was her choice. Their opinion matters, too.
  • While they are serving, look for a small detail that they do well. Their attention to your meal; their smile; their patience. At the end of their time with you, praise them for this detail. A simple ‘well done’ goes a long way.
  • Thank Sincere gratitude and thankfulness always encourages and brightens days, as well as a life. And as you leave their presence, say quick prayer to God thanking Him for them. He hears and can and will serve them better than you.

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