Crazy people or things seen at restaurants

GM doc · 08-31-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetskier

I doubt that it was you that we saw as the table was occupied by 3 people (one man and two women). However, while you made the waitress happy... this clearly cost the restaurant money as the table did not turn over and (if we were at the same restaurant), you prevented other patrons from using the table on a busy Saturday night.

I have NEVER seen a time limit at a restaurant for the patrons to "drink, eat leave"

WHY are they "patrons" NOT aloud to sit and enjoy there company? There paying for the "service"

chipj29 · 09-01-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GM doc

I have NEVER seen a time limit at a restaurant for the patrons to "drink, eat leave"

WHY are they "patrons" NOT aloud to sit and enjoy there company? There paying for the "service"

I am inclined to agree with you here. It may be perceived as rude or inconsiderate by some, but I don't agree with that. When I was a restaurant manager, I couldn't stand when the servers would complain when people would "take too long" to enjoy their meal out. I used to just tell them to suck it up, you have to take the good with the bad.

Argie's Wife · 09-01-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

I am inclined to agree with you here. It may be perceived as rude or inconsiderate by some, but I don't agree with that. When I was a restaurant manager, I couldn't stand when the servers would complain when people would "take too long" to enjoy their meal out. I used to just tell them to suck it up, you have to take the good with the bad.

A good server will milk a situation like that... "Can I get you more drinks? Or some coffee? How about dessert?" Chances are if folks are comfortable enough to stick around like that to chat on into the night, they'll also be back again. Repeat customers are best!

luvmypups · 09-01-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GM doc

I have NEVER seen a time limit at a restaurant for the patrons to "drink, eat leave"

WHY are they "patrons" NOT aloud to sit and enjoy there company? There paying for the "service"

The general rule of thumb is to expect to give people a 2 hour limit, that is what I've always been told/heard. Maybe in places where it's a fast paced, cheaper meals type of place then of course you'd expect to turn tables over sooner than that. I used to be a server and I NEVER had a problem with people staying long, I think it's rude to try and rush people out of there.

I had a manager once ( recently ) who came up to me and told me to start bussing other servers tables and pointed one table out specifically. I then told him that I had noticed that the people looked finished but I wasnt sure since it wasnt my table and I didnt want to clear it yet. Well, he said "no just clear it, if you dont know, just clear it", and he asked me to come over and help him, with two of the people still sitting there. So I of course had to and as we started clearing it, what do you know, the people ( very irritated ) said, " Um, thats our kid's food, they are in the bathroom, can you put it back?" I was SO embarrased because I knew I was right, he tried to play it off like it wasnt a big deal and he was really right and they were "actually finished". I went right up to the people as soon as he was gone and told them that I was so sorry and I tried telling him that they werent finished, I really didnt care if I was throwing him under the bus, he was a jerk and should have listened

Newbiesaukee · 09-01-2010, 12:23 PM

As with everything else we discuss on the forum, all that is necessary is a little common sense and courtesy.

If I am at the VK for Sunday breakfast and there are people lined up out the door, I finish my meal and leave in a reasonable period of time. I should state I never feel rushed by the staff at VK, so it is a good example of how a busy restaurant is supposed to work.

On the other hand, if I am at Lemon Grass or the Woodshed, I eat and drink at a leisurely pace and may linger a "reasonable" time after dinner over coffee.

No matter where I eat or what I spend, I expect to be treated courteously and I respond likewise.

Just because you pay the big bucks for a meal, you are not entitled to be abusive or sit for HOURS after your meal in pleasant conversation if there are clearly folks waiting for the table.

Just my opinion.

jetskier · 09-01-2010, 12:55 PM

If it is a quiet night, there is nothing wrong with "lingering". On a busy night with a line out the door, it becomes a matter of common courtesy. There is so little of that at the lake these days, it is concerning. Restaurants can not predict the waiting time for patrons when tables are in linger mode. When you are at 2x the predicted wait time, it is difficult to not notice the lingering tables.

Just because you pay for a ramp fee, doesn't mean that you should mess around on a boat ramp and block other people. The same applies here. On a busy night, people want to typically get in, eat and move on. The restaurant wants to turn tables (that is how they make their money) especially with a seasonal business. On a quiet night, go for it.

We are mindful of not lingering on busy nights. Again, this all goes to common courtesy.

Jetskier

09-01-2010, 12:55 PM	#6
jetskier Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Reading, MA and South Down Shores Posts: 858 Thanks: 58 Thanked 183 Times in 114 Posts	Common Courtesy If it is a quiet night, there is nothing wrong with "lingering". On a busy night with a line out the door, it becomes a matter of common courtesy. There is so little of that at the lake these days, it is concerning. Restaurants can not predict the waiting time for patrons when tables are in linger mode. When you are at 2x the predicted wait time, it is difficult to not notice the lingering tables. Just because you pay for a ramp fee, doesn't mean that you should mess around on a boat ramp and block other people. The same applies here. On a busy night, people want to typically get in, eat and move on. The restaurant wants to turn tables (that is how they make their money) especially with a seasonal business. On a quiet night, go for it. We are mindful of not lingering on busy nights. Again, this all goes to common courtesy. Jetskier

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09-01-2010, 12:23 PM	#5
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,366 Thanks: 966 Thanked 575 Times in 300 Posts	As with everything else we discuss on the forum, all that is necessary is a little common sense and courtesy. If I am at the VK for Sunday breakfast and there are people lined up out the door, I finish my meal and leave in a reasonable period of time. I should state I never feel rushed by the staff at VK, so it is a good example of how a busy restaurant is supposed to work. On the other hand, if I am at Lemon Grass or the Woodshed, I eat and drink at a leisurely pace and may linger a "reasonable" time after dinner over coffee. No matter where I eat or what I spend, I expect to be treated courteously and I respond likewise. Just because you pay the big bucks for a meal, you are not entitled to be abusive or sit for HOURS after your meal in pleasant conversation if there are clearly folks waiting for the table. Just my opinion.