Okay first off let me say a few things. Yes, those of use who work at the restaurant are there to make sure you have the best dining experience we can. However, we are not your servants. We shouldn't have to bend to your every whim. We will do everything we possibly can to serve you...within reason. Most of the things I am going to share with you are experiences that have happened to me as a hostess.
Let me first explain certain things about my job. At my work we have two dining rooms. During peak hours these dining rooms are seperated into roughly 6 sections a piece. (Some days there are more.) This works out to an average of 3 tables per server. Now my job is to seat people in the restaurant as quickly as possible, while maintaining a consistent rotation. (Meaning I give the servers equal number of tables.) Sometimes this isn't possible. I.e. large parties or special requests.
Now recently the management has been on me (and the other hostesses) to rotate consistently. Apparently some of the servers were complaining that certain servers were getting more tables and believed that the hostesses were playing favorites.
However what they dont' realize is that guests are very opinionated and make my job very difficult.
Here are some examples:
1. When I say 'follow me' I have a table in mind. Please don't point out while we are half way to our destination that you would rather have window seat (or whatever other request you are going to make.) There is a reason I wasn't going to seat you at those other tables. I.e. the place you have in mind would cause me to double seat a server.
2. If I ask you to wait because the table at which I am going to seat you is being bussed, please don't stand impatiently behind the busser, breathing down his/her neck. I asked you to wait out of the way for a reason. He/she will be able to properly clean your table if you give them a moment to do so.
3. Count EVERYONE in your group. Don't tell me you have a party of four, if you also have a baby. That equals 5. I need to find you a table at which a highchair can be placed at the end. Not something in the middle of the dining room, which is where I was planning to put you.
4. If you have party bigger than 8 it will take longer than 5 minutes to put something together for you. So please don't come it at peak dinner hours and expect that I will have something for 12+ available. (and because you won't split into two tables of 6, you are making it even more difficult.)
5. Why do you HAVE to sit at the window??? All of those tables are dirty and while I can grab a rag and clean it for you, this is not in my job description. My job is to sit you, not clear the dishes off the table and wipe it off because you simply won't accept a seat anywhere else. (If I can point something out. Our restaurant does not offer a view. The only thing to see out the window is people sitting in the rocking chairs playing checkers, the parking lot and the freeway off ramp. Why does this have such a big appeal???)
There are probably more things, but these are some of the things I can think of right now. Can you tell I just got off work??
Some people just don't know proper etiqutte when it comes to eating out. Can't you just let me do my job? Why do you have to offer your opinion. You will get the same service no matter where you sit (if all the servers are doing their job properly.) Why do you have to sit somewhere specific.
Really if the servers were smart, they would fight over who got the the coveted 4 front dining tables. Those are barely ever empty for long, because like I said before, there is some special appeal to sit at the back of the front dining room (farthest from the entrance and the kitchen) so they can look out at the parking lot. I don't get it.
Anyway. I'm tired.
Four day weekend!! Yes. Hitting up the beach. Need to even up my tan before I have to go back to school.
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