Compared to other countries, the US may have a little catching up to do when it comes to how we pay at restaurants. Thankfully pay at the table is becoming more widespread, to the benefit of restaurants, their staff and guests everywhere.
In a recent industry report, the National Restaurant Association found that the restaurant industry’s growth shows no signs of slowing. In fact, the industry is expected to hit a staggering $997 billion in sales this year. Combined with the fact that more employees are needed in the industry, it’s more obvious than ever that to maintain success, restaurants need to come up with ways to become more efficient and keep staff and guests happy—all while saving on costs.
One way to do this is to improve the payment process. So what does that process currently look like in many US restaurants?
Typically, a server will drop the bill off at a table, then leave. Customers put their credit or debit cards on the table. The server returns, then collects the cards and takes them away from the table to a fixed POS terminal to swipe the card (or cards) and complete the transaction. Once the transaction is complete, the tip is calculated and the server comes back once again to have customers sign the bill.
Pretty convoluted, right? In contrast, pay at the table is a solution that streamlines the payment process. Nowadays, guests and employees alike value convenience and simplicity, and that can be achieved with pay at the table.
Paying the bill at a restaurant seems like it should be simple, but it’s surprising how many people mess it up. As someone who has worked as a server for years, I’ve seen all kinds of awkward bill-paying scenarios play out. Follow these tips to pay your restaurant bill smoothly and avoid looking foolish when the check arrives
Know Who Is Paying
Before you sit down to eat, have a conversation with your dining companions about who plans to foot the bill. Is one person treating the whole table? Are you splitting it evenly? Or is everyone paying for what they ordered? Get this figured out upfront so there’s no confusion later.
- If one person is paying, they should sit nearest the server’s path so they can easily hand the bill folder back when ready.
- If splitting evenly, one person can collect everyone’s cash/cards and place it all in the folder.
- If paying separately, have each person’s card/cash ready in separate folders.
Decide this ahead of time so you don’t have to awkwardly pass folders around the table trying to figure it out
Don’t Fight Over Paying
When dining with others, you may get into a “No, let me pay!” back and forth. Avoid this by setting expectations upfront. Or use this simple approach:
- Person 1: “No please, let me cover this.”
- Person 2: “Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
- Person 1: “I insist, you can get the next one.”
Short and sweet. Don’t drag the server into this debate. Just work it out politely between yourselves.
Know When You’re Ready to Pay
Don’t just sit there once you get the bill. When ready to pay, put your credit card or cash in the folder and place it at the edge of the table. This signals to your server that you’re ready.
Servers can’t always stare at tables waiting for a sign. So make it obvious that you’re ready to pay by positioning the folder on the edge within reach. Subtle but clear body language goes a long way.
Double Check For The Receipt
When you get your card back, make sure the receipt is in there. Don’t absentmindedly pocket the card and leave without signing. This causes headaches for the server and delays closing out your table. Take a quick peek to confirm you have the merchant copy before heading out.
Tip Appropriately
Tip based on the pretax subtotal, generally 15-20% at a sit down restaurant with good service. Remember that tips often make up the majority of a server’s take home pay. They depend on your generosity. If the service was bad, 10% is acceptable. Below that is an insult.
For big groups, 20% should be the minimum since they require more work. And tip on the pretax amount – taxes don’t go to the server.
If paying by card, the tip line is added after you sign. For cash, leave the tip amount on the table.
Smile & Say Thank You
Above all else, be polite when paying your bill. Make eye contact, smile, and thank your server. You’d be surprised how many people avoid this simple courtesy. But it makes a big difference and is truly appreciated.
Beyond thanking your server, take a moment to thank the hostess and manager if you really enjoyed your experience. Kind words can make their day.
Avoid Awkward Bill Splitting
Figuring out how to split a bill between multiple cards can get messy. Everyone needs to know exactly what they owe.
- Ask for separate checks from the start to keep it simple.
- If splitting after, have one person pay first, then others can pay the remainder.
- Use Venmo or PayPal to send money rather than splitting cards.
- Or pay with one card and work out repayment later.
Just don’t make a big scene trying to split evenly in the restaurant. Handle that outside.
Put Away Your Phone
When your server brings the check, get off your phone. Don’t make them stand there awkwardly while you finish texting or an Instagram scroll.
Give them your full attention, make payment, and then get back to your device. Dining etiquette requires focusing on those present, not your screen.
Don’t Snap at The Server
Impatience or frustration with the payment process is no excuse for rudeness. Servers are doing their best to make the experience smooth. If something goes wrong or takes longer than expected, stay polite.
A kind “excuse me, do you happen to know how much longer?” will get you much further than shouting “where’s our check?” from across the restaurant.
Read The Room
Pay attention to the vibe when your server drops the check. Are you expected to pay quickly and go or can you linger over coffee? Don’t overstay your welcome if others are waiting.
Likewise, don’t rush out the door if your party is still actively conversing. Be aware of the appropriate timing based on the restaurant’s pace.
Ask For To-Go Boxes Upfront
Don’t wait until the check drops to ask for to-go boxes for leftover food. Tell your server earlier so boxes are ready when you need to pack up and head out. No one wants to sit there waiting after paying.
Don’t Discuss The Tip Amount
When paying in cash, avoid loudly announcing the tip amount or doing elaborate tip calculations at the table. It’s tacky and uncomfortable for the server and other patrons. Leave the tip discreetly without a big show.
Carry Small Bills
Having smaller bills on hand makes it easier to tip properly without needing excessive change. Singles and 5’s are ideal for tipping rather than a 100 and waiting endlessly for 96 dollars back. Come prepared to make the process smooth.
Pay Attention To Time
Don’t lose track of time and stay way past closing. Servers can’t go home until the last guest leaves. Be aware of the hours and when you’ve exceeded your welcome. The staff wants to go home to their families too.
Don’t Argue Over Prices
If you dispute a charge or pricing mistake, address it politely with a manager, not your server. They didn’t set the prices and can’t make changes. Yelling about costs only makes you look foolish.
Be Patient
Understand that delays sometimes happen when restaurants are busy. Bills and credit cards may take a few extra minutes to process when servers are juggling multiple tables. A friendly smile and kind tone when waiting goes a long way.
Pay Attention To Closing Time
Note the closing time when you arrive and budget your meal so you aren’t still eating far past closing. The staff needs to go home and one lingering table can delay them. Mind the hours.
Check Your Coat
If wearing a coat or bulky jacket, check it rather than struggling to find your wallet buried within. Making the server wait while you search through pockets looks foolish. Keep yourself organized.
Don’t Talk About Tipping
Avoid uncomfortable “wink wink” comments about the tip you plan to leave. This puts the server in an awkward position. Just hand them a reasonable tip without commentary when paying.
Observe No Cell Phones Policies
If asked not to use your phone in a fine dining restaurant, oblige. Don’t sneak texts under the table. This is tacky and makes you look entitled. Respect their rules of hospitality.
Handle Issues Discreetly
If you notice an error with the bill, inform your server privately rather than announcing it to the whole table. There’s no need to embarrass anyone over a simple mistake. Be discreet and polite.
Don’t Make It Rain
Tipping with loose change or aggressively tossing bills on the table may seem fun but just makes you look arrogant. Hand your cash politely like a mature adult. There’s no need for dramatic flair.
Say It With Eye Contact
Establish eye contact with your server when asking for the check or menu items. Shouting requests across the dining room looks lazy and rude. Make a human connection.
Pay On Time
If you say you’ll “be right back” to grab cash from the ATM, return promptly. Don’t leave the staff waiting and delaying table turnover. When time is of the essence, make sure you’re back on time as promised.
Watch Alcohol Consumption
Overindulging in drinks can lead to sloppy bill paying behavior like forgetting cards or doing math wrong. Stay clear headed so you handle payment gracefully rather than fumbling embarrassingly.
Don’t Discuss Bills At The Table
Having a loud conversation about who ordered what and what your share comes to is awkward for others around you. Handle the math discreetly away from the table with cash apps or Venmo.
Carry A Pen
Don’t make the server hunt one down if you need to sign a receipt. Being prepared with your own pen helps make payments more efficient for everyone.
Pay With The Right Card
When out for a business meal, don’t submit your personal card by mistake. Take a moment to make sure you hand the server the correct payment
A stable internet or Bluetooth connection
In order to use wireless payment terminals properly, your restaurant must have a strong internet connection. Anything patchy or slow will make it difficult for transactions to process efficiently. Although some POS systems have offline capabilities, it’s best not to solely rely on that.
Keep in mind that WiFi is typically a better option for large businesses. It works better and more reliably over a wider area than Bluetooth, which can only connect devices close together.
Train and explain
In terms of support, it’s important to make sure that your employees fully understand how the new system you’re putting in place works. That way, when customers ask why the business switched to pay-at-the-table technology, they can say that security was the main reason.
You can get help with Lightspeed POS and Payments up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our restaurant experts will also help you get started, and you’ll have an account manager to help your business grow.
How to Pay at a Restaurant with a Card
FAQ
What is the process of paying at a restaurant?
Typically, a server will drop the bill off at a table, then leave. Customers put their credit or debit cards on the table. When the server comes back, she takes the cards from the table and puts them on a fixed POS terminal so that the transaction can be completed.
How does paying with a card at a restaurant work?
Your server drops the check at the table, and you leave your card. Your server will come by and take your card. Payment will then be processed at the main point of sale (POS). This may take a few minutes or several minutes, depending on how busy the restaurant is and how many tables the server is responsible for. The server comes back with your receipt and walks away.
How to pay for someone’s restaurant bill?
Tell your server to bring you the other person’s bill and tell them you want to pay for their meal. This is happening a lot in the US, where people want to pay for the meal of people in the military or first responders like police officers and firefighters.
How do you pay a restaurant bill?
There are two ways to pay at some restaurants: you can hand the bill to the waiter or take it to the cashier. Your server will be able to tell you how this works. The person in charge will take your credit card, ring up the charges, and give you a printed receipt either way.
Can you pay a restaurant bill with a credit card?
When your card is swiped to be charged, you might worry about its safety, how to figure out a tip, or when the charge will show up on your bill. Thanks to the fact that credit cards are used a lot in restaurants, the process is now very efficient. Paying a restaurant bill with a credit card is very straightforward.
Can you pay a restaurant bill with cash?
Remember, paying with cash can be a convenient and straightforward way to settle your bill at a restaurant. You can make sure the payment process goes smoothly by telling your server ahead of time and having cash on hand when your bill comes. When it comes to paying the bill at a restaurant, there are a few important steps to follow.
Should you pay your bill at the end of a restaurant meal?
Most people think that paying their restaurant bill at the end of a meal is an easy, straightforward process that goes without saying. Or should be. It never fails to amaze me how many people screw this up. The ideal execution of bill getting-and-paying should be a near-non-event.
How do you pay a restaurant with cash?
Short on time? Here’s an easy way to pay with cash at restaurants: tell your server you’ll be paying cash when you’re ready to pay. When you drop off the check, make sure you have your payment ready and leave the right amount of cash for the tip. Hand your payment to your server, and they’ll return any change due.
Why should you pay a bill at a restaurant?
Paying the bill at a restaurant is symbolic of so much more than money. When you pay for something in Chinese culture, it shows that you value your relationship with that person and show respect, gratitude, and kindness. Food is also an incredibly important part of sharing love and life with your friends and family.
