Which action best ensures a positive first impression when guests are seated?

• A. Stand at the host stand ignoring them.
• B. Provide a warm greeting and ask to take drink orders.
• C. Immediately rush them through the menu.
• D. Seat them and leave to a different area.

Answer: (B)

Making a positive first impression comes from a warm, attentive welcome. When guests arrive, greeting them with a friendly smile and offering to take drink orders shows you see them, you’re ready to help, and you’re setting a welcoming tone for the meal. This small moment helps them feel cared for and puts them at ease as they settle in, while the drinks provide a natural, low-pressure start to the dining experience.

Standing at the host stand and ignoring them comes off as impersonal and disconnected, which immediately dulls the sense of hospitality. Rushing guests through the menu can be stressful and makes the service feel transactional rather than thoughtful. Seating them and then leaving to a different area signals a lack of engagement and attention to their needs.

By combining a warm greeting with an invitation to order drinks, you establish a friendly, professional atmosphere and set up the rest of the experience for smooth, attentive service.