Picture this: You’re out for dinner, and throughout the meal, you keep flagging down your server for single requests. First, you ask for extra napkins. Five minutes later, you wave them over for more ranch dressing. Then you politely order your drinks. After that, and a few other requests, you need the check. Sound familiar? Congratulations, you’ve just “one-timed” your server. And trust us, they’re not thrilled about it. If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, you already know the unspoken rule: respect the flow.
But if you haven’t, it’s easy to make this seemingly “harmless” mistake that drives servers quietly up the wall. Individually, none of your requests are unreasonable. But when they’re spaced out like that, it messes with the whole rhythm of the dining experience, not just for your table but for every table that the server is handling.
Your server ends up making constant trips back and forth to your table, which means they’re spending way more time with you than they should be. Interestingly, what most diners don’t catch is that restaurants operate on an extremely thin balance of timing and efficiency. And when your server is running around fulfilling those one-at-a-time requests, it’s harder to check in on their other tables. That means the family at table 12 is still waiting for their appetizer, and the business lunch at table 15 is getting increasingly frustrated about their missing side of fries. Servers are typically managing multiple tables at once, and every unnecessary trip throws off their entire rhythm.
Make your dining experience as smooth as possible
The solution to “one-timing” waiters is surprisingly simple: think ahead and group your requests (be sure of what you want to order). When your server comes to check on you, take a moment to consider what else you might need. If you know you’ll need extra napkins, or if you’re the kind of person who likes ranch with everything, ask for it. If you’re dining with others, encourage them to speak up, too, so everyone’s needs get addressed in one visit. Think two steps ahead and be considerate of your server’s time. Asking in batches helps your server help you faster and better. It’s a little shift that makes a big difference.
Remember, good service is a team effort between you and your server. Most servers want to give you the best service, so try not to throw a wrench in their system, as it can cause a ripple effect for other guests and stress out the staff. By being mindful of how you make requests, you’re making your server’s life easier, as well as making sure every guest in the restaurant will receive the attention they need.
So next time you dine out, treat your server like a partner in the meal. Even if you’re in a rush to order, take a little extra time to be thoughtful and timely so you can skip the one-timing. You’ll get better service, and the whole restaurant will run smoother because of it.
