#Busboy at a restaurant how to#

It is also proper form to remove a woman's plate first. In some cases you will not be able to do this if the customer is sitting next to a wall or in a corner. Also, take the plate on the right side of the guest whenever possible.

If an empty plate sits in front of the guest, be sure to ask before taking it. This is especially true when you are pre-busing during the meal.

#Busboy at a restaurant how to#

Don’t stack dishes that can easily fall, and avoid using trays that allows dishes to slide around.īelieve it or not, there is such a thing as clearing tables etiquette and unwritten rules on how to bus properly. Carry out only as much as you can handle in two hands to prevent the clanging and crashing of items being dropped on the floor, which can be extremely disruptive to guests. Note any plates that have been pushed to the side, or look for empty dishes when a new course is brought in. Servers may be advised to remove items as the dining guests are finished with them. Many fine dining restaurants don’t rely on bus staff alone to clear tables. Guests who seem rushed and in a hurry will probably prefer having items cleared one by one as soon as they finish, while groups that are enjoying leisure conversation may prefer to have everything removed at once at the end of the meal. Pay close attention to the mood at the table. Rush in too early to remove unfinished food and you will upset guests leave too many soiled dishes and you will get the same reception. Knowing how to read your meal guests is an art form, but one that a busboy (or bus person) should learn.