Working at a family restaurant is great for anyone who is new to the work world or just needs to make a little more money. However, what's most important when working in any place that sells food is not only how you act and respond to those you are serving, but your physical appearance and body language that may even say more than your own words.

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[edit] Steps

Take a Shower:

Looking presentable always begins with personal hygiene and how one takes care of him/herself. Always shower prior to going to work. Because you are working around food, it's best to keep clean to avoid getting yourself or others sick. Remember while in the shower to wash your entire body and shampoo/condition your hair as well. Smelling good and showing one keeps him/herself clean is always better for business and looks more professional and respectable in the end.
Brush-Brush-Brush:

Yellow teeth can look gross and ruin the whole appearance in the end, so after you shower, make it habit to both brush and floss those pearly whites! Refrain from eating any sort of food that may get stuck in between your teeth and take a breath mint after to avoid bad breath. If you must, try chewing flavored gum such as spearmint to lose the bad breath and whiten as well.
Hair:

Women: All restaurants require women with long hair to wear it up in a ponytail or bun. When working with food or bringing it out to guests, even a single hair could destroy one's meal and never bring them back. After taking your shower, brush all your hair up into a ponytail or bun around the middle of your head and spray or gel to prevent fly-aways. If you have bangs, depending on the length, you may or may not want to pin them back with the rest of your hair. For longer, side-swept bangs, try pulling them back along the top of your head, securing them with a bobby-pin, hairspray or a mini-clip. For short, full bangs, try blow-drying them into little wisps across the entire forehead for a neat and tidy look. If you have wavy or curly hair, tease and crimp the ponytail in the back with gel so it won't frizz after drying.
Men: Longer hair in an environment where food is being served can be a major turn-off to guests. Keep your hair cut short and styled to look neat and prevent hair from sneaking into other's meals
Makeup:

Ladies, although a pretty face is pleasant in a fine restaurant, try not to go overboard! Use a simple concealer to hide blemishes and spots and add a little blush to make the cheeks rosy. For the eyes, use natural colored eye-shadows, mascara, and brown eyeliner in the outer-corners. If you wish to, wear lipstick that compliments your skin tone but not too dark. Too much makeup can leave a woman looking trashy and untidy. A natural face shows true beauty, confidence, and pride in oneself and their working environment.
Clothing:

Unless you're a Hooter's waitress or working at any other adult restaurant, it's always important to keep in mind the guests you will be serving. Family restaurants always welcome children so those who work there are expected to dress modestly and nicely. If your restaurant has some sort of dress code, always remember to respect it and follow it completely. Low-cut shirts that expose the breasts look unprofessional and often a turn-off to parents with younger children. This also goes for hip-hugging pants and visible underwear such as women's thongs or men's boxer shorts. Whether or not the restaurant has a uniform, all clothing should be expected to be ironed and wrinkle-free!

[edit] Tips

Being clean-shaved is important as well. Women who wear skirts and shirts that may show their underarms should always shave either in the shower or under running water in the bath. Men remember to get rid of that five-o'clock shadow and any other places where hair may be unwanted.
Try whitening strips for an even brighter smile. There are many brands on the market that really do work just as well as laser treatment that can cost a lot of money. There are even dissolving strips from Crest that do the job without any gauzy strips that give many people the goosebumps.
Hairspray and gels are great for the perfect, slick look and don't leave one hair out of place. Try spraying or gelling the hair when wet so it dries along with it and stays in with a better hold.
There are many sites online and in beauty stores that may help you find the perfect colors that match your skin tone when looking for just the right makeup. Try doing some research and finding just the right shades for you.

[edit] Warnings

Beware of over-doing it when wearing any perfume or after-shave. Choking guests with strong fumes while food is on the table is very unwanted and even rude.
Chewing gum can be bad not only for your teeth if it contains any sugars but for the digestive system as well. When you chew, the stomach creates acids that break down foods that it thinks is on the way. Too much acid in the stomach can cause ulcers, a medical problem that may be serious if not given attention soon enough. Also, never replace a toothbrush with gum. It's always important to keep brushing at least twice a day.
Never put too much spray or gel in the hair. It can lead to flaking and dryness even after it's washed out. If you do have an itchy or dry scalp, try using shampoos that take care of dandruff fast so guests are not stuck picking flakes out of their soup.