75 replies to this topic

[Just Jim]

  For example, I normally don't approach a table to take an order until everyone's menus are closed.  This seems like a pretty reliable rule of thumb, no? 

Not with me.
One, if I close the menu I'm only going to have to reopen it when you arrive so that I remember the cutesy name your restaurant has for, say, a club sandwich.
Two, unless I go to your restaurant with a particular dish already in mind, I usually narrow my options down to 2-3 items, making up my mind at the last minute.
What can I say, I like operating under pressure.

Just do what the majority of servers do:
Wait a few minutes, ask if we would like to start off with beverages, and at that time ask if we are ready.
I really don't have time to play charades with my menu and flatware as props.

[JAZ]

Why ask "how is everything?"  The real question, in my opinion, should be "is there anything else I can do for you right now?"

That is the best question to ask, certainly. I think what happens is that waiters feel that they shouldn't be predictable or boring, so they try to be creative, when "creative" isn't really desirable. I was at a very casual bar and grill kind of place recently, where the server said: "Everything is delicious. . ." as if it were a statement of fact, and then caught himself and tacked on ". . .y'all?" to turn it into a question. It was really odd.

On the other hand, I'm sympathetic. I've never waited tables, but I have worked in retail, and there are similarities. You want the customers to know that you're around to answer questions or help, but there are only so many ways you can say that. I personally always stuck with the tried and true -- "Can I help you find anything?" "Do you have any questions?" -- but I've worked with people who wanted to be more personal and always managed to come up with something awful.

So having been there, I guess I just take it in stride and assume that the desire is to be helpful. A verbally clueless server who checks in on the table might be annoying, but he or she is still better than one who disappears for the whole meal.

[Jake]

Client lunch at an upscale restaurant this week. 2 women, 1 man, business attire, well groomed, average weight, between 35 - 45 yrs:

To the gentleman (who was not the host) 2 minutes in to the entrée: Wow, clearly the girls enjoy food, should i bring the dessert menu now?

WTF?

[Lilija]

Client lunch at an upscale restaurant this week.  2 women, 1 man, business attire, well groomed, average weight, between 35 - 45 yrs:

To the gentleman (who was not the host) 2 minutes in to the entrée:  Wow, clearly the girls enjoy food, should i bring the dessert menu now?

WTF?

I would be hard pressed not to trip the server, as he/she walked away.

[TimmDavis]

Not so much the question they ask, it's just that usually when they ask such a question I've got my pie hole stuffed with food - so really all I can do is give hand signals or grunts in reply.

[clokwurk]

Read your tables people! This is one of many moments through an experience
where we servers have an opportunity to show our value and earn our reward units(read: gratuity).

[Paul Kierstead]

"Are you still working on that" is my most despised question. Also, I really hate being offered pepper. Really? Look, just leave the f-ing mill. If they absolutely *must* ask, then "Is there anything you need" or the like is my preferred question, as I am then more comfortable asking for water, a drink, etc.

But, above all, I find most mid and lower level restaurants just plain interrupt you to much, especially when you are clearly having a conversation. For the same effort to ask me, they could have brought the water jug and refilled my water. Instead I get repeated intrusions and, quite likely, still no water in spite of asking. And when they do bring the water after asking, it would be nice not to be interrupted again.

As to servant class -- well, I'll admit to being much better compensated then wait staff, but I have to abide by a protocol in my consultant work. It doesn't make me a servant, it makes me a professional. Treating your wait staff (or consultant) poorly and without respect is bad. Expecting certain behaviors and protocol is earning your wage.

Edited by Paul Kierstead, 31 May 2011 - 09:23 AM.

[dcarch]

While having a converation with your friends,

"I am sorry to interupt you, but how's everything?"

I automatically take off 2% from the tip.

dcarch

[angevin]

"Me, my wife, and the waiter? Sorry, but that ain't happening."

Aw...you're no fun.

[haresfur]

After Pizza Hut buffet lunch with friends (not my choice), the associate manager/cashier asked the perfectly reasonable question, "How was everything?".

My response was, "Up to your usual standards."

[FoodMuse]

I'm a fan of eye contact. Check out my table every now and then and glance at me.

I appreciate a simple, "How is everything?" as long as it doesn't feel like you want me to say FINE.

[Mjx]

I'm sort of... fuzzy, looking, I guess? Anyway, I've not infrequently had waitstaff ask something along the lines of 'Is it all good, honey?'. From a middle-aged or elderly woman, this seems, well, not so unusual; coming from a brawny guy with facial piercings/neck tattoos, it's sort of startling. This has happened a couple of times, and I've had no answer, apart from dumbstruck staring (it doesn't help that 99 times out of a hundred, this question tends to be asked when I've just taken on a mouthful of food).

[Trev]

Funniest question I've been asked yet was recently when an obviously flustered host come over to our table and blurted out, "What's going on here... I mean... how is everything here?"
Still makes me chuckle when I think of it.

[DevourHour]

I always enjoy hearing "are you still enjoying your meal/food/dish" always puts a smile on my face and is usually followed by a good combacker off my tongue. Something along the lines of, "I was until you interrupted me midbite with your question?" or "towards the beginning the steak was great, but it got increasingly rare as time went by".

Customers will generally volunteer suggestions/criticism, no need to ask.

[vice]

I always enjoy hearing "are you still enjoying your meal/food/dish" always puts a smile on my face and is usually followed by a good combacker off my tongue.

The best comeback I've heard to that query is "No, but I'm still eating it."

[threestars]

I always enjoy hearing "are you still enjoying your meal/food/dish" always puts a smile on my face and is usually followed by a good combacker off my tongue.

The best comeback I've heard to that query is "No, but I'm still eating it."

Totally agree on this one. :) But that's still a good way to ask IMO.