In order to know what your customer wants you have to be able to read them. And that's not a skill that everybody can develop. But if you get good at it, it almost guarantees you a decent living. Because people respond very well to that. For example, if you've got a couple who come into the restaurant with children, and you know that maybe it would be helpful to them to order the kids food first so they can eat, that sort of thing.
People appreciate that.
Yes, that's one of the thorniest dilemmas about waiting on tables. And to be honest, I'm not sure there is an answer to that. Deal with it as best you can, and then get the manager. I never did personally, and that's the truth. However, I have seen it done.