What should a server do after clearing a table?

After clearing a table, it is important for a server to wash their hands. This practice is essential for maintaining food safety and hygiene standards in a food service environment. By washing their hands, the server helps to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of pathogens, particularly after handling used tableware that may have come into contact with food residues or bodily fluids.

While removing all tableware is a necessary task, it does not address the critical aspect of personal hygiene after handling potentially contaminated items. Gathering tips from all tables may be seen as a part of a server's duties, but it should not take precedence over handwashing, especially in a food service setting. Refilling salt and pepper shakers is also part of maintaining the dining environment, but it is not as important as ensuring that the server's hands are clean before they handle more food or serve new customers. Thus, handwashing stands out as the most crucial action to ensure safety in the dining establishment.