Here are some simpler and more common vocabulary terms related to taking payment at the table:
Bill: The list of items and their prices that a customer has ordered and must pay for.
Credit card: A plastic card used to make purchases that are paid back later.
Debit card: A plastic card used to make purchases that are directly deducted from the customer’s bank account.
Cash: Physical money used to pay for goods and services.
Tip: An amount of money given to a server by a customer to show appreciation for good service.
Total: The final amount owed by the customer for their order.
Payment: The act of giving money to the restaurant to pay for the order.
Change: The money returned to the customer after paying with cash and the amount given back to round up to the nearest dollar or currency unit.
Receipt: A document that shows proof of payment for goods or services.
Server/waiter/waitress: The person who takes the order, serves the food and drinks, and handles the payment at the table.
Split the bill: The act of dividing the cost of the bill among multiple people.
Cashier: The person who handles payments and manages the cash register in the restaurant.
Credit card machine: A device used to process credit and debit card payments.
Check out: The process of paying for the meal and leaving the restaurant.
Payment method: The way the customer chooses to pay for their order, such as cash, credit card, or debit card.
Gratuities: A more formal term for tips, referring to the amount of money given to a server by a customer to show appreciation for good service.
Sales tax: A percentage added to the cost of goods and services that goes to the government.
Discount: A reduction in the price of the order, usually given as a promotion or special offer.
Receipt printer: A machine used to print receipts for the customer after payment has been made.
Signature: The act of signing a credit card receipt to authorize payment for the order.
Billfold/wallet: The item that a customer keeps their payment method (cash, credit/debit card) and ID in.
Gratuity percentage: The percentage amount a customer chooses to tip their server, usually ranging from 15% to 20% of the total bill.
Payment due date: The deadline for payment, usually referring to when a credit card or other payment method must be paid in full.
Contactless payment: A payment method that uses near field communication (NFC) technology, allowing customers to pay by waving their phone or credit card near the payment terminal.
Invoice: A bill that a business sends to a customer, usually for larger purchases or services.
Payment plan: An agreement between a business and a customer to pay for a purchase or service over time, in installments.
Coupon: A discount or promotion offered by a business, often requiring a code or physical paper to be presented at the time of payment.
Overpayment: The act of paying more than the total amount due for an order, resulting in the customer receiving change or credit towards a future purchase.
Return policy: The guidelines set by a business for customers to return items for a refund or exchange.
Refund: The act of returning money to a customer for a returned item, canceled service, or other reason.
