How to order at a cafe?

5 comments

1. I’ve been there and it’s awkward for sure. Try asking the person you have ordered from,”how this works.

2. 1. How to order at a cafe
   > Hello! Can I get (insert food/drinks) please? Thanks!

   2. How do you know if they serve you or if you’ll have to take it from the counter
   > Here in my country, they usually put up a board like “self service only” or “pick your drinks from counter 1 and ice cream from counter 2” or “please be seated till your food is served to you” or something similar
   If not,
   > Ask the cashier or any person that works there when you place your order

   Have a nice day! 🙂

3. Just tell the waiter what you want. Feel free to ask. They will check with the chef (if they can do) that particular order (if its unusual).

4. “Give me a mocha, and get me that employee discount while you at it”

5. How to order at a cafe:
   Step 1 – enter said eating establishment, quick survey to get the lay of the land, if it’s seat yourself – try choose a place where you can make a quick exit if needed also face the entrance preferably with your back to the wall. Place a jacket or sweater over the back of your chair – this is a universally known indication that this spot is taken.

   Step 2 – Once you have your personal area selected, it’s time to go up to order. Possible encounters with random characters imminent. Do not waver, stay the course, smile and nod, if eye contact is established. Do not stare, no talking to yourself out loud, keep fidgeting to a minimum. Approach cashier and ,assuming it’s the place just off broadway, place an order of food and beverage from the big board hanging on the wall, pay for goods and services.
   (The assumption was made, this was a solo trip)

   Step 3 – return to aforementioned seating area, looking around but not staring as you do so. When engaging in verbal exchanges with fellow diners or staff a few things to monitor: i. Posture, you want to be head up, chest out, but not too stiff. ii. Selection of vocabulary, people covet intelligence, but nobody likes a show off, refrain from using non-typical words and phases, reason being not to stand out. iii. Be polite and courteous, but don’t lay it on to thick. Have some banter/small talk items on deck in the event of any encounters with other diners or staff (weather, local sports team, fuel prices are perfectly acceptable)
   P.S. A subtle grin as opposed to a full on smile, or frown/grimace should be worn, it’s neutral

   Step 4 – it is important to always treat servers and staff members with the utmost respect as they are employed to provide a service to the public, not cater to your every wont and desire. It’s ok to be friendly and even flirty with the servers ( I find servers a good opportunity to practice small talk, light flirting as part of their job is to be engaging and friendly to customers, respect is to be maintained at all times. A good gauge of an individuals character is given by how they treat service workers.)but only reciprocate on what they are putting out. Body language, please be mindful and act accordingly. Ingest your meal, try not to be messy, and if necessary do a quick tidy of your eating area, and don’t forget to leave an adequate tip, standard 15-20%, nobody likes a cheapskate.

   Step 5 – While performing the previous steps be aware of your surroundings, a lot of questions you may have won’t need to be asked, but will be answered by simply paying attention. Don’t be afraid to look them in the eye, then a big smile to put them at ease. Try not to slouch and speak loud and clear, but no yelling. Stand out while at the same time blend in, there are many contradictions you will come across when transversing social norms. Do not over think things, try to be decisive, and if you made a mistake? Big deal! Either way you should by thankful. Are there other diners? What did they do with their tray? Are the diner’s rules/policies posted? Again just watching, without staring, will give you a lot of incite on how to act.