How do you greet a server? (check, people, food)

[coffeeQ]

If your order is being taken at a food counter (or somewhere similar,) how do you greet your server: "Gimme a..." or "Hello, how are you today..." or "I want..." or "Hi. Could I please have..." Why do you say what you say? If you've never given it thought, do you think you should change your approach?

[LaceyEx]

I always treat servers as I want to be treated.

[Lucky Lady123]

Hi, I'd like a.................and when the order is served I usually say "Thank you and Have a Nice Day."
I think my approach is just fine.

[Thursday007]

I usually say, "Good Morning' or "Good Afternoon' or 'Good Evening...I'll have...". If it's a drive thru I just start ordering.

[tasmtairy]

I usually say Hi, How are you? Could I please have a _______! Always say thank you. I am usually much more polite than most the servers I run across.

[Cunucu Beach]

"Good morning (or afternoon), I'd like a ____________, please"

[Dbl-r]

I am always friendly and respectful and say hi

[desertsun41]

Many times I have to say: "sorry I don't understand, can you please have some one take my order who speaks English"?

I realize those who take our orders are just minimum wage clerks who are just there for a paycheck and hate their job but I usually treat them as they treat the customers. A smile will get a smile and a frown will get a frown back. If they don't care then I don't care. I understand it is hard to care when one is making scab wages, but if they don't want to smile then there are thousands of people with a smile wishing to have their job just the same.

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by Lucky Lady123

Hi, I'd like a.................and when the order is served I usually say "Thank you and Have a Nice Day."
I think my approach is just fine.

Same here...cuz if you're not polite you may not like what you find in your order.

[Puru]

If its at the bar, then I usually greet them with a "Hi, could I please get a _______?" And when I get it I thank them verbally.

At restaurants its usually quieter and there's more room for chit-chat so I usually greet them with a "hello, how are you today?" and such.

Even if I'm in a foul mood I try to smile and thank them properly and politely. They might remember me and I'd like if they remembered me in a good way so I don't find any nasty surprises in my next order.