Let me set the scene: I’m three days into the job. I barely know the table numbers. I’ve got the drink menu memorized… kind of. I’ve shadowed two shifts and spilled one iced tea on a toddler. We’re thriving. Then it happens. “What do you recommend?” **Cue full-body panic.** It’s the question every new server dreads. There’s no cheat sheet. No script. Just you, their expectant eyes, and a silent scream echoing in your skull.
My Brain: “Lie. Lie Quickly.”
I had never tasted half the menu. I didn’t even know where the pasta station was. But something in me clicked — that little survival instinct that lives deep in every service worker’s soul. So I smiled and said: “Honestly? The grilled swordfish is a bold move — it comes with pineapple salsa and jasmine rice, and I’ve seen *so many* guests absolutely rave about it.” They nodded. Intrigued. “Sounds good. I’ll get that.” I walked back to the POS like I’d just disarmed a bomb.
Spoiler: It Worked
Later, I checked on them. “How’s everything tasting?” The guest smiled. “That fish was *amazing*. Great recommendation.” **I didn’t even know what it looked like.** But in that moment, I learned something most servers don’t figure out until much later: People don’t always need an expert — they need someone who *sounds* like one.
The Confidence Con
Confidence, in a restaurant setting, is currency. Your guests want to trust you. They want help deciding. They want to feel like they made the *right* choice. And when you give them that? **They tip better. They smile more. They come back.** Here’s the kicker: I wasn’t being fake. I was being resourceful. That swordfish? I *had* overheard another server say it was fire. I *had* seen people order it happily. I just didn’t eat fish. Or know what pineapple salsa really was. Or why “jasmine” rice sounded fancier than regular rice. But I sold it like it was my family recipe.
Tips for Selling With Swagger (Even If You’re Faking It)
– **Borrow confidence.** Use what others say. If three tables love something, boom — “a lot of our guests have been loving…”- **Lean into tone.** It’s not about the words — it’s how you say them. Speak with certainty, like you’ve already had a great shift.- **Make it a story.** “It’s good” is weak. “It’s one of our boldest dishes and pairs insanely well with the side” sells.- **Smile like you mean it.** You can fake product knowledge. You can’t fake warmth.
Fast-Forward to Now
Now I *do* know the menu. I’ve tried everything. I can sell any item with a real opinion. But you know what? That early fake-it-til-you-make-it mentality made me **better**. It taught me to communicate, to read people, to think on my feet. Confidence doesn’t mean having every answer. **It means not panicking when you don’t.**
Final Thought
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to know every ingredient. You just need to believe in what you’re saying long enough for them to believe it too. And if you’re lucky? You’ll get a killer tip, a happy table, and a new favorite menu item — whether you’ve tasted it or not.
