I prefer an attentive server to one who is impossible to find. However, I don’t care for being called “guys,” “sweetie,” “honey,” or “dear,” especially because the last three are most often used for senior citizens. I know they are trying to be nice, but I still don’t like it.
The best ones who look at the people at the table and can see whether they are having a good time. If somebody is looking around occasionally, they know who the customers are looking for. Some of the best service I have had was from waits who had mastered that art.
How many other tables is this guy saying sweet nothings to? Plus, I’m suddenly in the mood for arancini and no I don’t know why I assumed they were having Italian.
How many other tables is this guy saying sweet nothings to? Plus, I’m suddenly in the mood for arancini and no I don’t know why I assumed they were having Italian.
The best servers observe the table before approaching and if the drinks look all full and the patrons look to be in the middle of a discussion, they lay off. It’s rare but I’ve had a few serves who did this and approached us in just the perfect times without smothering us and without us having to search them out. It’s an art, for sure.
It’s a combination of amateurish serving and the tipping disease. Waiting is, in the U.S., largely a temp job, student job, or occupied by dead ends. And the abysmal pay scale shift the onus to the customer to make it up, plus it aggravates the first problem. Give me a pro in France any day. He makes a living wage, and the “gratuity” is included in the bill. Just a nod or a glance bring shim over, but he otherwise stays away and lets you eat. And the restaurants aren’t making him push to get you out the door to make room for another sucker (and another tip).
Many moons ago (BTW tonight is the Super Blue Blood Red moon) a funny thing happened at the restaurant. To understand you need to know that I’ve been going gray since college and by this time my hair was mostly gray. I have a full beard (neatly trimmed) and my hair goes down below my collar about 6 inches which I normally wear tied back in a pony tail. That night after the hostess showed us to our table I decided to let my hair down and removed the elastic which tied back my hair. Then our waiter approached, my back was to him, and he said “May I get you ladies something to drink?”. I hope you can imagine the expression on his face when I turned and said “Yes, what do you have on tap?”. That poor waiter was so nervous for the rest of our meal. But we did get good service and gave him a good tip. ;-)
Or you could eat at a restaurant in Europe where the staff pretty much ignores you. Of course, they don’t get all chummy with you like in the States. My favorite American behavior is when they crouch to be at eye level with you.
Or you could eat at a restaurant in Europe where the staff pretty much ignores you. Of course, they don’t get all chummy with you like in the States. My favorite American behavior is when they crouch to be at eye level with you.
Keep the waiters on their collective toes, ask for somthing IMPOSSIBLE, such as the beverage in a glass WITHOUT a hole in it.jOr even order favorite appetizer from a different restaurant, or things like that , to keep them guessing.
I hate when husband and I are called guys – other than a very few friends who do so. Husband made me stop saying “I am not a guy, I am a doll” or “I have not been a guy since the surgery.” (not true – always been female) in response.
Another thing we hate is having the waitperson touch either of us – apparently they are taught that if they touch the customers – hand on shoulder usually – they will get a bigger tip – that happens they get a minimal tip – just enough so they know we did not forget to tip.
I hate when husband and I are called guys – other than a very few friends who do so. Husband made me stop saying “I am not a guy, I am a doll” or “I have not been a guy since the surgery.” (not true – always been female) in response.
Another thing we hate is having the waitperson touch either of us – apparently they are taught that if they touch the customers – hand on shoulder usually – they will get a bigger tip – that happens they get a minimal tip – just enough so they know we did not forget to tip.
Cminuscomics&stories Premium Member about 6 years ago
At a restaurant, being an annoying waiter is now considered customer service.
colddonkey about 6 years ago
Lets not forget they wait until you have a mouthful to ask how the food is.
jarvisloop about 6 years ago
I prefer an attentive server to one who is impossible to find. However, I don’t care for being called “guys,” “sweetie,” “honey,” or “dear,” especially because the last three are most often used for senior citizens. I know they are trying to be nice, but I still don’t like it.
flagmichael about 6 years ago
The best ones who look at the people at the table and can see whether they are having a good time. If somebody is looking around occasionally, they know who the customers are looking for. Some of the best service I have had was from waits who had mastered that art.
DanielJ.Drazen about 6 years ago
How many other tables is this guy saying sweet nothings to? Plus, I’m suddenly in the mood for arancini and no I don’t know why I assumed they were having Italian.
DanielJ.Drazen about 6 years ago
How many other tables is this guy saying sweet nothings to? Plus, I’m suddenly in the mood for arancini and no I don’t know why I assumed they were having Italian.
William Bednar Premium Member about 6 years ago
Actually, this is a bad sign.
Nicole ♫ ⊱✿ ◕‿◕✿⊰♫ Premium Member about 6 years ago
The best servers observe the table before approaching and if the drinks look all full and the patrons look to be in the middle of a discussion, they lay off. It’s rare but I’ve had a few serves who did this and approached us in just the perfect times without smothering us and without us having to search them out. It’s an art, for sure.
Fatrabbit20 about 6 years ago
I don’t leave a big tip for those kind of servers. Tips are for good service. I tip good when the service is good’ not annoying
MeGoNow Premium Member about 6 years ago
It’s a combination of amateurish serving and the tipping disease. Waiting is, in the U.S., largely a temp job, student job, or occupied by dead ends. And the abysmal pay scale shift the onus to the customer to make it up, plus it aggravates the first problem. Give me a pro in France any day. He makes a living wage, and the “gratuity” is included in the bill. Just a nod or a glance bring shim over, but he otherwise stays away and lets you eat. And the restaurants aren’t making him push to get you out the door to make room for another sucker (and another tip).
Tyge Premium Member about 6 years ago
That’s the trick. To know the difference between attentive and pestering.
nosirrom about 6 years ago
Many moons ago (BTW tonight is the Super Blue Blood Red moon) a funny thing happened at the restaurant. To understand you need to know that I’ve been going gray since college and by this time my hair was mostly gray. I have a full beard (neatly trimmed) and my hair goes down below my collar about 6 inches which I normally wear tied back in a pony tail. That night after the hostess showed us to our table I decided to let my hair down and removed the elastic which tied back my hair. Then our waiter approached, my back was to him, and he said “May I get you ladies something to drink?”. I hope you can imagine the expression on his face when I turned and said “Yes, what do you have on tap?”. That poor waiter was so nervous for the rest of our meal. But we did get good service and gave him a good tip. ;-)
david_42 about 6 years ago
You should go to the Olive Garden, we were there for 15 minutes before we got up and left, no water, no menus, nothing.
lambert2015 about 6 years ago
“In all due respect, my wife is not a guy”. When I hear that term used when dining, that is my response.
Ahuehuete about 6 years ago
Or you could eat at a restaurant in Europe where the staff pretty much ignores you. Of course, they don’t get all chummy with you like in the States. My favorite American behavior is when they crouch to be at eye level with you.
Ahuehuete about 6 years ago
Or you could eat at a restaurant in Europe where the staff pretty much ignores you. Of course, they don’t get all chummy with you like in the States. My favorite American behavior is when they crouch to be at eye level with you.
I was FRAMED!!!!!! about 6 years ago
Keep the waiters on their collective toes, ask for somthing IMPOSSIBLE, such as the beverage in a glass WITHOUT a hole in it.jOr even order favorite appetizer from a different restaurant, or things like that , to keep them guessing.
mafastore about 6 years ago
I hate when husband and I are called guys – other than a very few friends who do so. Husband made me stop saying “I am not a guy, I am a doll” or “I have not been a guy since the surgery.” (not true – always been female) in response.
Another thing we hate is having the waitperson touch either of us – apparently they are taught that if they touch the customers – hand on shoulder usually – they will get a bigger tip – that happens they get a minimal tip – just enough so they know we did not forget to tip.
mafastore about 6 years ago
I hate when husband and I are called guys – other than a very few friends who do so. Husband made me stop saying “I am not a guy, I am a doll” or “I have not been a guy since the surgery.” (not true – always been female) in response.
Another thing we hate is having the waitperson touch either of us – apparently they are taught that if they touch the customers – hand on shoulder usually – they will get a bigger tip – that happens they get a minimal tip – just enough so they know we did not forget to tip.