Waiting staff are those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers — supplying them with food and drink as requested. Traditionally, a male waiting tables is called a "waiter" and a female a "waitress." Some people prefer to use gender-neutral language, either using "waiter" indiscriminantly for males and females, or using "waitron", a word coined in the late 20th century.

Waiting on tables is one of the most common occupations in the U.S. (along with nursing, and teaching). The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that, as of May 2005, there are over 2.2 million persons employed as waiters and waitresses in the U.S.

The duties of waiting staff include preparing tables for a meal, taking customers' orders, serving drinks and food, and cleaning up before, after and during servings in a restaurant. Depending on the restaurant, other less common duties may be required, such as singing birthday songs to customers who are celebrating a birthday. A theme restaurant may even require staff to dance. There are now event caterers that outsource waiting staff to events and specific functions.

The English writer Wilfred Gowers-Round wrote a number of Rules For Waiters which he called a "Manifesto":

“ A waiter's job is to serve and never to impose himself.

The goal of waiting is inconspicuous service.

Waiters must be clean and smart and should never wear cologne.

Under no circumstances should a waiter ever touch a diner.

Wine glasses should never be filled too full.

Unasked for advice should never be offered.

If diners are content to pour the wine themselves, let them.

Unless asked, no plates should be removed until all have finished.

Women diners should be afforded respect equal to men.

The bill should be placed on the table without ceremony.
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