Have you ever been asked to leave a restaurant?

[luvsJack]

The OPbs larty wasn 't taking the hints provided.

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

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?

Each restaurant has a certain number of tables. When they schedule wait staff, it should be done with the number of tables each one will have in mind.

So if there are 30 tables and 5 wait staff, each one has 6 tables. When another staff person comes in, they go down to 5 tables each. If 2 people come in then you have 5 staff with 4 tables and 2 with 5. It really isn’t rocket science. A good manager sees the need for using any empty tables and fixes it. There should never be empty tables and people waiting. Ever. And you certainly don’t ask a family to squish together and leave an empty table.

As for hints, it’s not laying down the check. And it doesn’t matter if they don’t take the hints, you do not ask them to leave.

 

[KMarston]

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.

I get that. I'd have taken my food, (before being berated) they sat us in empty spots because they weren't seating anyone else until the kitchen was taking orders again. I honestly don't know what went wrong in the kitchen, I've been many busy times and never waited close to that long once seated and given an order. Wasn't a problem for us, but to walk away and let us and everyone else be subjected to that was a proverbial slap in the face to me. It was intense. They certainly haven't suffered from our absence I'm sure but I chose not to do business with them any longer. We have no shortage of good privately owned restaurants in that area.

 

[mjkacmom]

Restaurants have slower periods, the only time they have staffing for all of the tables is during peak times. The minimum wage in my state is $2.13 an hour, it would stink to be scheduled and only have a table or two.

 

[luvsJack]

Restaurants have slower periods, the only time they have staffing for all of the tables is during peak times. The minimum wage in my state is $2.13 an hour, it would stink to be scheduled and only have a table or two.

In every single restaurant I worked in, you had peak times, slow times and dead times. The staff was scheduled to fit those times and so that the same person didn’t get the slow or dead times every day.

But however many staff members are there should be able to cover the tables in the restaurant.

So you may have only a couple of people working during the slow time. As it gets closer to the busy time, other staff comes in at a staggered schedule. So they may have 15 tables each at 2:30 but by 5 only have 4 and then it goes back up as the night slows down again.

 

[AlohaKeke]

A few years ago at a nice steak house, DH and I were having dinner with my FIL. I don't remember exactly how they said it, but when we were finished with our meals but still sitting and talking, they asked us to move to a different table and they would give us dessert on the house. We declined and said we were ready to leave but they still gave us a gift card for our troubles. I was definitely not offended lol.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Each restaurant has a certain number of tables.

Yes, clearly.

When they schedule wait staff, it should be done with the number of tables each one will have in mind.

Vital words highlighted.

So if there are 30 tables and 5 wait staff, each one has 6 tables. When another staff person comes in, they go down to 5 tables each. If 2 people come in then you have 5 staff with 4 tables and 2 with 5. It really isn’t rocket science.

If, if, if. If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a trolley car. If there are five servers working, and the optimum numbers of tables per server is, say, four and the maximum is six, and if you have 36 tables...some tables need to remain unassigned/unserved.

As for hints, it’s not laying down the check.

Asking if anything else is wanted when laying down the check and again ten minutes later, followed by the admittedly unusual/unexpected request made by the server? Yes. Multiple hints.

We have only the OP's version. I don't recall a mention of a payment with the check upon the server's return.

 

[luvsJack]

Yes, clearly.

Vital words highlighted.

If, if, if. If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a trolley car. If there are five servers working, and the optimum numbers of tables per server is, say, four and the maximum is six, and if you have 36 tables...some tables need to remain unassigned/unserved.

Asking if anything else is wanted when laying down the check and again ten minutes later, followed by the admittedly unusual/unexpected request made by the server? Yes. Multiple hints.

We have only the OP's version. I don't recall a mention of a payment with the check upon the server's return.

Well I hardly know how many tables every restaurant has so I was using examples. So the use of the word “if”.

There is no optimum tables for one server, it’s all about the time of day and the flow of the establishment’s business. I have worked at times that I was the only server in the entire place and 20-25 tables (time of day that there may not be 2 parties in the place) An hour later there would be 4 servers and two hours later maybe 6. And at no time were there any tables to be unused.

Again, a good manager will not allow unused tables while allowing a server to ask a family to squish together in one booth or while people are waiting to be seated. It should not have happened. The booth was right beside the pp’s kids and they were finished eating so it would not have even added a table to the server.

Asking if they want anything is part of the server’s job. That isn’t a “hint”. A hint would be stopping the question. Different places have different policies on when the check is given. Some right after entrees are served. Some after the meal is finished. Some not until the customer requests it. So may or may not be a hint. And the request was rude so hardly a hint.

 

[Skywalker]

And it doesn’t matter if they don’t take the hints, you do not ask them to leave.

Well, maybe that's not the policy in this restaurant. It's not like its the law lol.

Again, a good manager will not allow unused tables while allowing a server to ask a family to squish together in one booth or while people are waiting to be seated. It should not have happened. The booth was right beside the pp’s kids and they were finished eating so it would not have even added a table to the server.
.

How do you know a good manager would not allow unused tables? Maybe there was something broken or otherwise potentially dangerous. Maybe someone vomited and the seats were still wet from cleaning. I would say in that case a good manager is keeping people out of that booth lol. Who knows.

I also just instinctively don't linger in a crowded place. I've seen in cafeterias even places like Disney where there are people walking around with trays looking for a place to eat while their food gets cold, while others are still just sitting at the table chatting or looking at maps or whatever. Move along people!

 

[luvsJack]

Well, maybe that's not the policy in this restaurant. It's not like its the law lol.



How do you know a good manager would not allow unused tables? Maybe there was something broken or otherwise potentially dangerous. Maybe someone vomited and the seats were still wet from cleaning. I would say in that case a good manager is keeping people out of that booth lol. Who knows.

I also just instinctively don't linger in a crowded place. I've seen in cafeterias even places like Disney where there are people walking around with trays looking for a place to eat while their food gets cold, while others are still just sitting at the table chatting or looking at maps or whatever. Move along people!

How do I know? After being one, working for many and taking classes in hotel/restaurant administration, you learn these things. No it’s not a law but there is a general way things are done. And one of the first rules you learn is not to let people wait while there are empty tables even if you have to serve them yourself. And you don’t make your customers feel uncomfortable or like they are not wanted in your establishment.

If there was a time limit on how long they could be there that should be said upfront, posted on the door, on the menu, somewhere. They simply were not there for an unreasonable amount of time.

The pp was sitting right beside the booth, don’t you think they would have witnessed someone getting sick in the booth? How long do you think they stay wet?

And as a server, if something was broken, maybe she should have said “I would let them move to that booth but . . .”

A restaurant as in the op, is a very different creature than Cosmic Rays or any other Disney CS place.

 

[maxiesmom]

[QUOTE="luvsJack, post: 59531492, member: 144764"
If there was a time limit on how long they could be there that should be said upfront, posted on the door, on the menu, somewhere. They simply were not there for an unreasonable amount of time.

[/QUOTE]

I don't think a time limit should be necessary. If people can see that others are waiting for tables, then it is a bit rude to linger, imho. People shouldn't need to be told to be courteous.

 

[VandVsmama]

One time, years ago, we went for the first time to a Vietnamese restaurant near us. We were new to the area and like trying out different cuisines. We'd had Vietnamese food before and this was a locally owned & operated place, not a chain. Closing time was 8:30 pm. We were there at 7:30 pm. When we arrived, there weren't many other customers there...maybe 2 other tables were occupied. The proprietor told us that we'd be getting our food to go. Not quite understanding what he meant (it didn't quite 'click' in our heads yet what the guy was getting at), we said, "Oh, not to go. We'd like a table please." The guy was very abrupt and said, "No, you get order to go. No table." There was a sign posted that after 8:00 pm, it was to go orders only. So I told him that it was 7:30, not after 8:00, so we'd like a table please.

He was mad. He sat us at a table, but the service was bad. Practically threw the food at us, slammed the bowls & plates on the table. We never got a drink refill. We tipped well anyway. The food was good, but the whole experience left a horrible taste in our mouths. Never went back. They closed less than a year later. It was obvious that they didn't want our business.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

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

Unless perhaps you WANT to be tossed around by Big Bertha.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

At a McDonald's about 40 years ago, I never did get the french fries with my value meal. Apparently they were having a problem with the fryer and kept promising they'd be ready "soon." I finished my Quarter Pounder and still no fries. There were at least a dozen people waiting for their french fries.

The value meal was only about $1.99 back then and I didn't feel like waiting to get a 50c refund for the fries. Besides, I had to get back to work.

The order taker should have informed customers that fries were temporarily unavailable.

 

[luvsJack]

I don't think a time limit should be necessary. If people can see that others are waiting for tables, then it is a bit rude to linger, imho. People shouldn't need to be told to be courteous.

Neither should a server.

They were not there for an unreasonable amount of time. If she said they sat there talking for two hours or more, I may agree with you but just over one is not unreasonable at all.

 

[Skywalker]

How do I know? After being one, working for many and taking classes in hotel/restaurant administration, you learn these things. No it’s not a law but there is a general way things are done. And one of the first rules you learn is not to let people wait while there are empty tables even if you have to serve them yourself. And you don’t make your customers feel uncomfortable or like they are not wanted in your establishment.

If there was a time limit on how long they could be there that should be said upfront, posted on the door, on the menu, somewhere. They simply were not there for an unreasonable amount of time.

The pp was sitting right beside the booth, don’t you think they would have witnessed someone getting sick in the booth? How long do you think they stay wet?

And as a server, if something was broken, maybe she should have said “I would let them move to that booth but . . .”

A restaurant as in the op, is a very different creature than Cosmic Rays or any other Disney CS place.

Your response is very literal minded. I was trying to give examples of larger things we might not know about, not get into a discussion about how long a seat might stay wet. By the way, I have a diploma in hospitality management (3 year course, not just taking a few classes), but if some one wants to open an establishment and run it based on their own personality (those are often the best kind. No Soup for you!) then they can have at it. It is not a requirement to post time limits - most reasonable people just kind of know the flow. There is no harm in people having a little bit of thoughtfulness towards the next guy.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

The OPbs larty wasn 't taking the hints provided.

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

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?

A City Club would be a Club located in the heart of the city. Some are affiliated with Country (Golf)(Yacht) Clubs, some stand alone. Most of the time they only offer dining, some have health clubs, etc. There is no golf/boating amenity.

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

Never
When we were kids, my parents would take the 4 of us out for supper fairly often.
Once a woman stopped at our table & said her & her husband were going to leave when they saw all us kids come in thinking we would tear the place up.
She said we were the most well behaved kids she had ever seen.
She must have caught us on an off night, haha!

 

[luvsJack]

Your response is very literal minded. I was trying to give examples of larger things we might not know about, not get into a discussion about how long a seat might stay wet. By the way, I have a diploma in hospitality management (3 year course, not just taking a few classes), but if some one wants to open an establishment and run it based on their own personality (those are often the best kind. No Soup for you!) then they can have at it. It is not a requirement to post time limits - most reasonable people just kind of know the flow. There is no harm in people having a little bit of thoughtfulness towards the next guy.

Yeah I was getting a bachelors and then changed my major! Could kick myself now lol. At the time we all knew we would have to move to have a decent job. Now an hour away any of us could be making big bucks in one of the casinos!

I don’t think it’s reasonable to post time limits but several have mentioned it so though perhaps it’s the norm in some places. If a place has one they should post it. No it’s not required but would keep their servers from looking rude.

All I was saying is that if a server is going to ask two or three kids to squish in a booth with their parents while a booth sits empty, she should explain if there is a problem with the empty booth.

The hospitality industry is supposed to be. . Well, hospitable. Requesting that your customer get out or trying to smoosh them all together is quite the opposite.

I don’t have an issue with a customer feeling they should watch for a crowd and hurry up and leave. It’s the act of telling them to leave that imo is wrong. And I can just imagine the face of our instructor had someone suggested that! His head would have exploded! Besides being our instructor, he was sort of a John Taffer type but with new bars and restaurants. Opened new ones all over the place. And apparently was quite the stickler for customer service.

 

[powellrj]

We never have, but we went out the Saturday before Fathers Day and the people next to us were asked to leave. It was at a celebration type place that families go to so they were packed. They were done when we were seated and just sitting and visiting.

We are not fast eaters, but we were finishing up and they were still sitting and visiting, but by this time the tweens with them were bored and were lying on the floor, under the tables and playing tag. None of the adults were paying any attention to them. The waiting area was packed and they had 4 tables taken and the kids were misbehaving. The waitress asked if they were done so they could seat another group. It was like the perfect storm of being asked to leave. They weren’t happy but they did leave.

 

[sk!mom]

I’ve followed this thread this week so I paid attention to our brunch time this Morning.

We were a group of six- DH and I, DD22 and her boyfriend, and boyfriend’s parents. We took the last available inside table at 11:15. We immediately ordered coffee. When he brought the coffee, we ordered our food.

Dd and her bf were here for a wedding that his parents also attended so they filled DH and I in on all the wedding festivities. The bf’s parents told us all about their recent vacation. So there was a decent amount of conversation.

At 12:20, DH (who isn’t on the Dis and I haven’t mentioned this thread too) says, people are waiting, I think we should go. We did and stood outside and finished our conversations for about 10 minutes.

I didn’t feel rushed so apparently we can brunch in 60-75 minutes and some people do notice if others are waiting.