THE ATTRIBUTES OF STAFF

THE ATTRIBUTES OF STAFF 

The quality of service staff in any establishment reflects the quality of the establishment
itself. No matter how good the food and ambience are, poorly trained, untidy or rude
staffs can annoy customers. On the other hand, if the staff are well-trained and efficient,
they can, to a certain extent, make up for other shortcomings in the services provided.
Following are the attributes of a good food and beverage server.

Personal Hygiene and Appearance

1 All members of the staff should be well-groomed and clean at all times. This
gives them a sense of well-being and confidence to do their job efficiently.
2 The hands of the waiting staff should be given special attention. They are
constantly observed by the guests. Nails should be trimmed, and kept clean.

Playing with one's hair and face should be avoided.
3 Chewing gum should be avoided in all public areas of the hotel.
4 You should wear minimum jewellery. A wrist watch, finger ring and plain earrings
(for girls only ) should be permitted.
5 If an employee has a skin problem, a doctor should be consulted immediately
6 Uniform should be clean and well-pressed. Shoes should be properly polished and

well-fitting.

Good Conduct

You should be well-mannered and respectful to guests, and to senior members of the
staff. You should be calm and pleasant, even in the most tiring circumstances. You
should be able to satisfactorily solve any problem that may arise. In case of difficulty,
a senior and experienced member of the staff should be consulted. Tact, punctuality

and honesty are admirable qualities among service personnel.

Good Memory

A good memory helps to improve performance. It also helps the service personnel to
attend small but important details such as remembering a guest's name or his likes
and dislikes regarding food and beverage.

Observation

You need a keen sense of observation and an eye for detail. It will help you to
be more efficient at the job. An ability to correctly judge people is definitely an
advantage. A sense of anticipation in the service industry is an invaluable quality. The
ability to anticipate what a guest or the management needs, even before it is asked

for, creates a very good impression.

Concentration and Skill

Waiting at a table requires concentration and skill. You should develop a sense of
urgency in the performance of duties. Good service may not be commented upon, but

bad service is surely noticed and talked about. Service should be prompt without haste.