Have you ever been asked to leave a restaurant?

[cruiser21]

15 to 20 minutes to read the menu? Is is fifty pages long or something?

Sarcastic some?
It's not uncommon for a large party to socialize and take their time. Isn't that what eating out is all about. It cost a lot to eat out especially for a part of seven. I agree with op I'd take my money elsewhere.

 

[Imzadi]

Too bad Gumbo didn't cause a major scene so we could have video like this.


https://nypost.com/2018/07/26/mcdonalds-worker-beats-up-milkshake-throwing-customer/

http://www.tmz.com/2018/07/26/mcdonalds-customer-pummeled-employee-crazy-fight/

You're assuming Gumbo wouldn't have won an altercation with a McDonalds worker?

 

[EveDallas]

Sarcastic some?
It's not uncommon for a large party to socialize and take their time. Isn't that what eating out is all about. It cost a lot to eat out especially for a part of seven. I agree with op I'd take my money elsewhere.

You didn't say anything about socializing. You specifically said 15- 20 minutes to read the menu and order.

 

[cruiser21]

You didn't say anything about socializing. You specifically said 15- 20 minutes to read the menu and order.

I assume people talk to each other when they eat out. Dining out is usual a social event. It kind of goes without saying....unless you're one of those families where everyone is on their phone.

 

[RedAngie]

You're assuming Gumbo wouldn't have won an altercation with a McDonalds worker?

I'm assuming Gumbo would have run away scared for his life when the big woman came out from behind the counter.

 

[EveDallas]

I assume people talk to each other when they eat out. Dining out is usual a social event. It kind of goes without saying....unless you're one of those families where everyone is on their phone.

My family can talk to each other and order in a timely fashion out of respect to others waiting. We're talented like that. Sitting and chatting for 20 minutes before you order is rude.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I could not believe she had asked our kids to come over to squeeze into our booth, when the booth directly behind the kids, sat empty the entire time we were there !

That station probably wasn't assigned to anyone, including your waitress. Generally bad practice to seat diners at a table with no server

That must be another one of those area you live in things. The McDonald's restaurants around here have a 30 minute time limit, unless you continue to order food.

A Dunkin Donuts I frequent has 15 minute limits. And charging stations.

I'm with the OP here. It would be different if they had long been finished and were just hanging out at the table. After asking if they needed anything else, I would think they should have a small window to leave on their own before being asked.

They did have a ten minute window between hints:

t about 12:10 the server asked if we needed anything else. We said no and she brought the check.

At 12:20, step-MIL finished up her coffee, the server asked if she wanted more, and MIL said no thank you.

15 to 20 minutes to read the menu? Is is fifty pages long or something?

Two words: Cheesecake Factory

This was an "upscale" breakfast place - $14 for DS12's "gourmet doughnut pancakes", $19 for DH's skirt steak and eggs plate. Our bill was over $80.

So, estimating the cinnamon roll (the single item ordered by one member of your party, notwithstanding what he actually ate) at $5 - $15 per person average? So?

6. We already pay the servers their living wage through our tips, and now according to some on this thread we have to act as the front-room managers and pay attention to table turnover times and guest flow.

General consideration? It took 20 minutes for a table to be ready for you; was there nobody else waiting while you did?

I think the lady poured the coffee, asked if we wanted anything else and we said no and she brought the bill. MIL still had a full cup of coffee at that point.

it was about 10 seconds after MIL finished her coffee that the server asked us to leave. She interrupted FIL talking to DS18 (us) in the middle of a story. I think that's why we were so startled. The coffee wasn't free, so at that point, we were about 10 seconds over being "paying customers".

The coffee wasn't free, but she had already prepared your check prior to your MIL ordering (another?) cup? Or did you mean the original order was (obviously) not free, but refills are included?

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

I'm assuming Gumbo would have run away scared for his life when the big woman came out from behind the counter.

Gumbo:

 

[kaytieeldr]

Large parties do generally take longer in a restaurant. OP did say there were other large parties seated around the same time that were still there when they left.

Entirely possible those parties were still eating, or ordering additional items.

It's not uncommon for a large party to socialize and take their time.

Five of the six were waiting in the lobby, presumably together, for about 20-25 minutes. Those same five people were sitting together at the table, again presumably socializing, for 25 minutes, until their food came, having ordered some time during that 25 minutes.

Those same five people sat together eating, and yet again presumably socializing, for another ten minutes prior to the older son's arrival. Fifty-five minutes of socializing so far. Then another 30 minutes of eating and socializing among the six of them.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm assuming Gumbo would have run away scared for his life when the big woman came out from behind the counter.

Your first mistake was assuming there could ever be a circumstance that would cause me to toss a perfectly good milkshake - even a runny one

 

[cruiser21]

This thread is so strange. When people go out to eat do they time themselves and worry about the people waiting and table turnover. I would never go to a restaurant if that was the case...too much work. We went to Chili's the other night and were there over 90 minutes. Had drinks and appetizers, dinner dessert. I never gave much thought to how much time we were occupying a table.

 

[cruiser21]

Entirely possible those parties were still eating, or ordering additional items.


Five of the six were waiting in the lobby, presumably together, for about 20-25 minutes. Those same five people were sitting together at the table, again presumably socializing, for 25 minutes, until their food came, having ordered some time during that 25 minutes.

Those same five people sat together eating, and yet again presumably socializing, for another ten minutes prior to the older son's arrival. Fifty-five minutes of socializing so far. Then another 30 minutes of eating and socializing among the six of them.

and your point is?

 

[cabanafrau]

This thread is so strange. When people go out to eat do they time themselves and worry about the people waiting and table turnover. I would never go to a restaurant if that was the case...too much work. We went to Chili's the other night and were there over 90 minutes. Had drinks and appetizers, dinner dessert. I never gave much thought to how much time we were occupying a table.

If the place is packed to the rafters with long waits for the tables or if it's a smaller operation and we're occupying the only space for larger parties, I take note. If there isn't a crush of people and four of us are enjoying great conversation over dinner and drinks, I feel perfectly entitled to take up space. If we're a larger party and there's no need to turn our table, I feel no guilt about lingering and enjoying being with friends or family.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If the place is packed to the rafters with long waits for the tables or if it's a smaller operation and we're occupying the only space for larger parties, I take note. If there isn't a crush of people and four of us are enjoying great conversation over dinner and drinks, I feel perfectly entitled to take up space. If we're a larger party and there's no need to turn our table, I feel no guilt about lingering and enjoying being with friends or family.

^^^this. Has nothing to do with timing yourself. It’s just situational awareness.

 

[luvsJack]

Good heavens. Who knew there was an appropriate time to eat and vacate a table.

The waitress should not have asked them to leave. It’s call “hospitaltly industry” for a reason.

I worked in a hotel restaurant one time that had a breakfast and lunch buffet. Lots of busines people ate there meeting with folks from out of town. Local university brought their athlete recruits there for breakfast. One thing you never did as a waitress was make them feel that you needed the table. You could do lots of subtle things to hint but never, ever do you ask. If they choose to stay through the breakfast to the lunch buffet, you just deal with it.

Ods took both our family and dil’s family out to eat for mother’day one year. We were a party of 10. It was the first weekend of the restaurant opening and the Saturday before mother’s day, it was packed. We were there for a long time. They seated ds and dil before the rest of us got there (most places we go to do, never had an issue being seated before the rest of the party arrives) and by the time drinks and appetizers were ordered, socializing was done, entrees were ordered, more drinks, dessert, more socializing it was probably two hours. And quite a bit of time of that after the check was laid down. Not once were we asked to leave and the waiter was fantastic. We weren’t trying to be difficult, we were enjoying our meal and our time together. And the waiter was well tipped because we enjoyed our time there. And still when any of us go to that restaurant, we ask for his area if he is working. So he made several customers by being hospitable and doing his job.



Oh and someone mentioned empty tables and perhaps it wasn’t in someone’s section. Most restaurants don’t set their stations in stone. . They change them as necessary. If they needed the table they just had to say “hey Sally! Adding table 6 to your station.” It’s not hard. And it’s totally on management if they don’t do it when needed.

 

[mnrose]

^^^this. Has nothing to do with timing yourself. It’s just situational awareness.

Exactly. There's nothing wrong with being cognizant of other human beings. Our favorite restaurant is a sushi place. It's easy to see the entire room, and waiting area. If there's no one waiting, and available tables, we will linger and take our time. Maybe have another glass of wine. But, if it's crowded, with people waiting, we'll finish up (not being hurried at all), and vacate as soon as the check is settled up.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

The only time we were asked to leave was at a local City Club. We had gone to dinner with some members on a Saturday night. By 9:00 p.m. we were the only people in the dining room and were enjoying our after-dinner coffee and drinks and conversation. There had been maybe a total of 4 tables used in the entire dining room while we were there, but I still don't assume 9:00 p.m. to be late when their posted hours were dinner served until 10:00 p.m.

At about 9:10, a busboy came by and placed a tablecloth and 4 napkins across the back of the chair (closest to our table) of the table next to ours (obviously to reset our table). While this wasn't as overt as actually asking us to leave, it was most definitely a hint, and one that was most unwelcome, especially in a Club setting, in their formal dining room. I am not sure if my DH ever spoke to the GM about this (since they are both Club GMs in the same city, they were very well acquainted), but it definitely left a sour taste in my mouth, and I have told many people this story over the years.

From working in the Club business with both casual and white tablecloth service, I know neither the OPs, nor my story above, would be tolerated at our location. We have asked a member/host if they would kindly move to the lounge for a free after-dinner cocktail, especially if we have a large set-up to do in their room for a party the next day, but don't ask members to leave.

I can only remember one time when someone was asked to move along and that was during a timed seating holiday brunch. They were signed up for the 11:00 a.m. seating (with a 1:30 seating to follow). At 1:25 p.m. my DH finally had to ask if they would be willing to relocate to the lounge as there was another seating ready to begin and their table was needed. Being as they were an elderly couple with guests, they declined the offer, but did vacate their table.

 

[KMarston]

I have a personal rule. If I feel like I'm not treated well, then you don't get any more of my business. I'm not a complainer, I hate conflict, I'll pay my tab, tip and I won't be back. In all my days two restaurants have lost my business. Two family-owned that we really loved.

In one case a very popular Sunday spot that was always slammed when church let out. Everyone who comes knows there will be a wait. We agreed to be seated outside to take some time off the wait. It was hot and a hundred percent humidity. No one else was taking it. We really didn't care. 45 minutes and two cups of coffee later still no food but the waitress kept us updated and we were enjoying ourselves. Then the bottom let's out! We duck into the full lobby and our waitress grabs us and gives us an empty table inside. This obnoxious lady waiting starts screaming at us, you agreed to sit outside, you shouldn't get a table, blah blah.... I'm literally shaking at this point. The owner tells her our order has been in for an hour and she keeps arguing. Owner walks away and she is literally screaming at my husband and I at the top of her lungs. I finally crack, everyone is watching. I said, would you like our seats? She says yes! I grab my things and DH follows me to the door. The waitress stops us and said, you don't have to leave, we aren't seating anyone else because the kitchen is so backed up. My husband shoves a 20 in her hand and says, maybe you should tell the customer that. Thanks for your service, I'm going to find my wife a drink before she has a nervous breakdown!

We haven't been back and the food is outstanding. The owner should have told the customer that they weren't seating or asked her to leave. She didn't because the crowd of people in the lobby would have probably left. I've used them for years for private parties and luncheons. I didn't call to say my piece, it was unfortunate and they had no control over this woman's actions but it wasn't handled well and many people had to endure the scene. So I just take my business elsewhere.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You could do lots of subtle things to hint

The OPbs larty wasn 't taking the hints provided.

Oh and someone mentioned empty tables and perhaps it wasn’t in someone’s section. Most restaurants don’t set their stations in stone. . They change them as necessary.

Works if Sally and all the other servers aren't already handling the max.

I know neither the OPs, nor my story above, would be tolerated at our location. We have asked a member/host if they would kindly move to the lounge for a free after-dinner cocktail

Option in a City Club*, as well as many restaurants. Not possible if the venue does not have an alternative location to move lingering parties to.

* What's a City Club?

 

[mjkacmom]

I have a personal rule. If I feel like I'm not treated well, then you don't get any more of my business. I'm not a complainer, I hate conflict, I'll pay my tab, tip and I won't be back. In all my days two restaurants have lost my business. Two family-owned that we really loved.

In one case a very popular Sunday spot that was always slammed when church let out. Everyone who comes knows there will be a wait. We agreed to be seated outside to take some time off the wait. It was hot and a hundred percent humidity. No one else was taking it. We really didn't care. 45 minutes and two cups of coffee later still no food but the waitress kept us updated and we were enjoying ourselves. Then the bottom let's out! We duck into the full lobby and our waitress grabs us and gives us an empty table inside. This obnoxious lady waiting starts screaming at us, you agreed to sit outside, you shouldn't get a table, blah blah.... I'm literally shaking at this point. The owner tells her our order has been in for an hour and she keeps arguing. Owner walks away and she is literally screaming at my husband and I at the top of her lungs. I finally crack, everyone is watching. I said, would you like our seats? She says yes! I grab my things and DH follows me to the door. The waitress stops us and said, you don't have to leave, we aren't seating anyone else because the kitchen is so backed up. My husband shoves a 20 in her hand and says, maybe you should tell the customer that. Thanks for your service, I'm going to find my wife a drink before she has a nervous breakdown!

We haven't been back and the food is outstanding. The owner should have told the customer that they weren't seating or asked her to leave. She didn't because the crowd of people in the lobby would have probably left. I've used them for years for private parties and luncheons. I didn't call to say my piece, it was unfortunate and they had no control over this woman's actions but it wasn't handled well and many people had to endure the scene. So I just take my business elsewhere.

We recently went to a popular spot for brunch on a Sunday, arrived at 10:15 and was told a half hour wait, storms were forecasted, but they said we could be seated outside and gamble on the storm - if it started raining, we were not going to get a table inside. We took our chances, knowing that we’d be taking our food to go if it rained.