rules for servers

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Gourmondo
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rules for servers

Post by Gourmondo »

I concur with most, but not all of these:

http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/2 ... -part-one/
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paz5559
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Re: rules for servers

Post by paz5559 »

I am curious which ones you disagree with
"We dance when there is no music. We drink at funerals. We talk too much, and live too large and, frankly, we’re suspicious of those who don’t." -Chris Rose
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dragongrrl
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Re: rules for servers

Post by dragongrrl »

Me too. My favorite is number 34. I've overheard more cursing and inappropriate stories in restaurants. I hate that.

I think it's okay to say your name. Taking an empty plate when others are still eating is okay with me. Same glass, second drink, no big. "No problem" is no problem for me. Some of these seem like pet peeves of the writer.
Now this is more like it.
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LauraMc
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Re: rules for servers

Post by LauraMc »

34 happened to us last night. And we were waiting for him to bring the bill.
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Isabella Maja
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Re: rules for servers

Post by Isabella Maja »

Yes, 34 is a peeve of mine too.

I'll never forget the time the lead waitress screamed across the dining room how everyone on staff had to go get a shot because someone on the restaurant staff had pneumonia. Sigh. Ok, now we all know. The diners just looked at each other in amazement.

Sometimes I think waitstaff acts as if being in the dining room is their stage & the play is a live version of their myspace page.

Despite the fact that I work in healthcare, I really don't want to know who is sick in your restaurant! I feel for ya, but I'm there to have a meal & am paying for the experience.

You've just killed my appetite if I start hearing about who is sick & what they have. (Frankly, I don't want to hear about this from other diners either. Last week I had a woman sitting behind me talking about bedwetting, liver disease & vomiting throughout the whole meal. Part of the time she was talking to the owner!!!!! What are these people thinking?)

Sometimes I think restaurant staff forgets they are in the hospitality industry.
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nikinik
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Re: rules for servers

Post by nikinik »

This is definitely one of mine...though I'm not sure it's the server's responsibility...

5. Tables should be level without anyone asking. Fix it before guests are seated.

Nevermind on the server's responsibility comment. Just realized this thread is titled "Rules for Servers" but the actual article encompasses all restaurant staffers.
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Gourmondo
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Re: rules for servers

Post by Gourmondo »

paz5559 wrote:I am curious which ones you disagree with
Not many, assuming this is a fine dining establishment. But there are times when you have to interrupt. Plus, I think it's OK for the server to mention which special they particularly like or recommend as long as they are not being too crass about it.

Consistency is a peeve a mine. Don't be attentive until the plates arrive, then vanish to some hidden lair. And I want the specials written down on the menu in a font I can read, not scribbled on a board 25 feet away that I cannot read, between the distance and little smiley faces or fireworks bursts or other such scrawled distractions. Be consistent and I will tip very generously.

I was at a restaurant this summer where not just my server, but about 4-5 of them sat down at a table and proceeded to eat their dinners (with wine) in plain view of the other diners. At least they were quick about it. Bizarre. Everyone was looking at them with those "WTF" expressions.
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Jerry
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Re: rules for servers

Post by Jerry »

dragongrrl wrote:Taking an empty plate when others are still eating is okay with me.
Sorry but this is a NO-NO even if you are okay with it...
Even if it's your plate how do you know if others at your table are "okay" with this barbaric mistake?
It's a crude signal to others who are still eating that they are taking too long and should freakin' hurry up and finish!
If it's a matter of the restaurant needing the turnover in dishes that's the restaurant's problem...they should buy more plates.

I do not allow this at any table, anywhere...
Jerry Sherlock / Jazz Boutique
JazzBoutique.net
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buzd
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Re: rules for servers

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Isabella Maja
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Re: rules for servers

Post by Isabella Maja »

Jerry wrote:Sorry but this is a NO-NO even if you are okay with it...
Even if it's your plate how do you know if others at your table are "okay" with this barbaric mistake?
It's a crude signal to others who are still eating that they are taking too long and should freakin' hurry up and finish!
If it's a matter of the restaurant needing the turnover in dishes that's the restaurant's problem...they should buy more plates.

I do not allow this at any table, anywhere...
Jerry, are you available to teach some lessons?! :whip:

Tonight's dining companion stopped our waiter from taking his plate.
We discussed this 2 days ago. His comment tonight was "You deserve it.", meaning that I have every right to not want to have to eat alone.
This happened at a nice place tonight, where they should know better.

I'm dining at more & more casual restaurants lately, but seems even the nicer ones are hurrying clearing the tables as well. I'm seriously considering getting biz sized cards made that says, "Please, do not clear the dishes until EVERYONE is finished with their meal. We do not care to be rushed & will ask for the check when we are ready for it."
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