How to get better service at a restaurant

From Stained Apron says:

There are little signals you can give your server to help him give you better service. Unfortunately, most restaurant patrons don’t know them.

*CLOSE your menu when you are ready to order. Most servers don’t like to butt in and rush you if it appears you are still browsing.

*Catch your server’s eye when you need something. Add this to an expectant look, and your server should come right over. No need to snap your fingers, wave furiously, whistle, yell, or tug on his apron when he is talking to another guest. All of the latter actions will probably guarantee that you will be ignored a bit longer. I can do a great impression of not noticing your rude display.

*If you are ready to pay after the bill has been placed on the table, place the check holder to the edge of the table. You can even let the money or the credit card stick out a little. No good server grabs the check holder to see if you’ve put the money in it yet. He or she waits for a signal so as not to rush you.

*If you want the server to keep the change, tell him. Just saying “Thank you” or nothing is not enough, and he will probably stand in line at the cashier or fumble around for the right coins and bill combination unnecessarily. Now, this won’t affect you in particular, but it will affect the customers after you.

*If you have dietary needs of other food preferences, just TELL us when you order, not when we bring out the food. Again, this affects everybody--negatively.

*Place your fork and knife tines down and beside each other on the plate if you have finished with your food. That way the server need not butt in to see if she can take your plate.