Waiter vs. Busboy: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 24, 2024
A waiter is responsible for taking orders, serving food and drinks, and ensuring customer satisfaction in a restaurant, while a busboy assists by clearing tables, refilling water, and maintaining cleanliness.
Key Differences
A waiter, also known as a server, is a front-of-house staff member in a restaurant whose primary duties include taking customer orders, serving food and beverages, and providing customer service to ensure a pleasant dining experience. A busboy, also known as a busser, supports the waitstaff by clearing tables, refilling water glasses, and ensuring the dining area remains clean and organized. Busboys typically work behind the scenes and do not take orders or serve food.
Waiters are usually responsible for multiple tables and are directly involved in the dining experience, from recommending dishes to handling special requests. They play a key role in customer satisfaction and often receive tips based on their service. Busboys, on the other hand, focus on clearing and resetting tables, helping to prepare the dining area for new guests, and assisting with basic cleanliness tasks.
While waiters require strong customer service skills and a thorough understanding of the menu, busboys need to be efficient, organized, and able to handle physical tasks such as carrying trays and cleaning. Both roles are essential for the smooth operation of a restaurant but differ significantly in their responsibilities and customer interaction.
Comparison Chart
Primary Duties
Taking orders, serving food and drinks, customer service
Clearing tables, refilling water, maintaining cleanliness
Customer Interaction
High
Low
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Responsibilities
Menu knowledge, handling payments, addressing special requests
Clearing dishes, resetting tables, basic cleaning tasks
Position
Front-of-house
Support staff
Tip Earnings
Directly from customers
Often shared with waitstaff
Skill Requirements
Strong customer service, menu knowledge
Efficiency, organization, physical stamina
Impact on Experience
Directly influences customer satisfaction
Supports quick table turnover and cleanliness
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Waiter and Busboy Definitions
Waiter
A person who takes orders and serves food and drinks in a restaurant.
The waiter recommended the chef's special for dinner.
Busboy
Assists the waitstaff by maintaining the dining area's cleanliness.
The busboy refilled our water glasses without being asked.
Waiter
Responsible for customer service and ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
Our waiter was very attentive and friendly throughout the meal.
Busboy
A person who clears tables and refills water in a restaurant.
The busboy quickly cleared our table after we finished eating.
Waiter
Directly interacts with guests to ensure their satisfaction.
The waiter checked in regularly to see if we needed anything else.
Busboy
Prepares tables for new guests by resetting them.
The busboy reset the table with fresh linens and silverware.
Waiter
Handles payments and answers questions about the menu.
The waiter brought the bill and processed our payment quickly.
Busboy
Works behind the scenes to ensure a smooth dining experience.
The busboy's efficiency helped keep the restaurant running smoothly.
Waiter
Often provides recommendations and handles special requests.
The waiter suggested a great wine to pair with our meal.
Busboy
Handles physical tasks such as carrying trays and cleaning.
The busboy carried a heavy tray of dirty dishes back to the kitchen.
Waiter
One who serves at a table, as in a restaurant.
Busboy
A restaurant employee who clears away dirty dishes, sets tables, and serves as an assistant to the wait staff; a busser.
Waiter
A tray or salver.
Busboy
(US) Assistant waiter; one who clears plates from and cleans tables
Waiter
A male or female attendant who serves customers at their tables in a restaurant, café or similar.
Waiter! There's a fly in my soup.
Busboy
A restaurant attendant who sets tables and assists waiters and clears away dirty dishes
Waiter
Someone who waits for somebody or something; a person who is waiting.
Waiter
(historical) A person working as an attendant at the London Stock Exchange.
Waiter
(obsolete) A vessel or tray on which something is carried, as dishes, etc.; a salver. (See etymology of dumbwaiter.)
Waiter
(obsolete) A custom house officer; a tide waiter.
Waiter
(obsolete) A watchman.
Waiter
(stative) To work as a waiter.
Waiter
One who, or that which, waits; an attendant; a servant in attendance, esp. at table.
The waiters stand in ranks; the yeomen cry,"Make room," as if a duke were passing by.
Waiter
A vessel or tray on which something is carried, as dishes, etc.; a salver.
Waiter
A person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
Waiter
A person who waits or awaits
FAQs
What is a busboy?
A busboy assists waitstaff by clearing tables, refilling water, and maintaining cleanliness in the dining area.
What is a waiter?
A waiter is a restaurant staff member who takes orders, serves food and drinks, and provides customer service.
Do waiters interact with customers?
Yes, waiters interact directly with customers, ensuring their dining experience is enjoyable.
Who handles payments in a restaurant?
The waiter typically handles payments and processes customer bills.
Do busboys take orders?
No, busboys do not take orders; their role is to support waitstaff by handling cleanup and basic tasks.
What are the main duties of a busboy?
A busboy's main duties include clearing tables, refilling water glasses, and resetting tables for new guests.
What skills are important for a busboy?
Important skills for a busboy include efficiency, organization, and physical stamina for carrying and cleaning tasks.
Do waiters and busboys share tips?
Often, waiters share a portion of their tips with busboys as part of the restaurant's tip-sharing policy.
Who ensures customer satisfaction during the meal?
The waiter ensures customer satisfaction by attending to guests' needs and providing excellent service.
Do waiters recommend menu items?
Yes, waiters often recommend menu items and provide information about dishes to customers.
Who is responsible for cleaning tables?
The busboy is primarily responsible for cleaning and resetting tables.
What role does a waiter play in customer experience?
The waiter plays a crucial role in the overall customer experience by directly interacting with guests and managing their dining needs.
What skills are important for a waiter?
Important skills for a waiter include strong customer service, menu knowledge, and the ability to handle special requests.
Can a busboy become a waiter?
Yes, with experience and training, a busboy can advance to a waiter position.
Who handles special requests in a restaurant?
The waiter handles special requests from customers, such as dietary restrictions or special occasions.
What is the difference between a waiter and a server?
There is no difference; "waiter" and "server" are interchangeable terms.
Who is responsible for refilling water glasses?
The busboy is typically responsible for refilling water glasses.
What type of work environment do waiters and busboys share?
Both waiters and busboys work in a fast-paced, customer-focused restaurant environment.
How does a busboy support the restaurant's operation?
A busboy supports the restaurant's operation by ensuring quick table turnover and maintaining cleanliness.
Do busboys interact with customers?
Busboys have limited interaction with customers, mainly focused on clearing and resetting tables.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
