Helpful Service Behaviors for Staff + Common Service Mistakes to Avoid
DO:
- Greet guests with a Papiamentu phrase — "Bon dia," "Bon tardi," or "Bon nochi" signals immediate cultural respect
- Be warm before being transactional — friendliness is the natural entry point to any service interaction
- Be patient with the pace — guests may expect a service style that doesn't feel rushed or pressured
- Receive tips graciously — 10–15% is the general custom for good service
- Smile and make genuine eye contact — warmth and acknowledgment go a long way
- Adapt your register to the guest's energy — follow their lead between formal and relaxed
DON'T:
- Don't rush or show impatience — frustration with a slower pace is noticeable and unwelcome
- Don't skip the greeting — ignoring an approaching guest without acknowledgment is considered impolite
- Don't be overly direct or blunt — abrupt, purely functional responses may read as cold or dismissive
- Don't assume USD is always preferred — change may come back in Antillean Guilders, which can confuse guests
- Don't treat Curaçao as generic Caribbean — guests take pride in their distinct Dutch, African, and Latin heritage
- Don't handle tipping awkwardly — receive gratuity naturally and graciously as part of normal service
