How to Be the Perfect Waiter or Waitress...and Earn Great Tips

Believe it or not, there are right ways and wrong ways to crumb a table (i.e., remove the crumbs without disturbing the diners)--and the difference can often be seen in the size of the tip. Nadia Semczuk, president of the Los Angeles Professional Servers, narrates this demonstration-laden, informative video aimed at waiters and waitresses who would like to increase their tips by providing better service. The program teaches servers the importance of quickly approaching newly seated customers, the benefits of a positive and courteous attitude, ways to suggest items such as appetizers and desserts, the proper way to take an order, correct food placement, presenting the check, and much more. The only drawback to the program comes at the very end, where the producers shamelessly hawk a "Certificate of Completion" and 30 more "secrets of the trade" if you send them $14.95. This crass commercial aside, the tape is recommended as a fine introduction for public libraries, high school career guidance collections, and, of course, French waiters. Aud: H, P. (R. Pitman)